Just a note here, that if you want the IBCLC to be an international credential, it might be of interest to consider the paths in other countries. My understanding (as both a non-health professional and a non-ibclc) is that in the UK many who might be both interested in becoming an ibclc, and able to document the hours required, are health professionals. Most of these would be either midwives or health visitors -- historically these people were all nurses, but both professions now have training which does not necessarily require previous qualification as a nurse. In the future, there will be many people who are midwives or health visitors but have no nursing qualification. (There are a few now). I have no idea about other countries -- as I say, I barely know about the UK, because I am not a health professional, although I get asked as a 'user' for my opinion on training courses and I am a student in a University dept of Midwivery Studies, so I have heard bits and pieces. Please be careful that this debate does not become 'US only' -- if there is any desire for the 'I' in 'IBCLC' to have meaning. Magda Sachs Breastfeeding Supporter, BfN, UK *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html