Nikki, Could you please clarify what you meant by your statement, "According to the WHO, this course is equivalent in preparation to that of the other credentialed breastfeeding helpers: LLL, IBCLC, CLE, NMC, etc." Does this mean that the WHO thinks that it takes the same amount of effort, study and practice hours for all of these credentials? I haven't seen the WHO statement, so I want to be clear on this one. As for certification, I think it is very important to make it clear that there is a definite and very important distinction between "certification" and "BOARD certification." I'll include here an FAQ from the IBLCE website explaining the differences, but in addition, the point I want to make, and one that I believe is very important to our profession, especially in the US right now, is that all 'breastfeeding helpers' are not the same. All 'credentials' are not equal. To imply or suggest that they are, to fail to completely inform mothers, prospective or current students, or employers, of the differences, hurts our profession and is a potential cause for harm to the mother and infant. If we ourselves complain and lament that mothers, insurance companies, the medical profession (including physicians and other allied health care professionals), and hospitals don't adequately recognize our value and our services, and yet we continue as a profession to allow 'certifications' that require less than extensive education, hundreds or thousands of practice hours of clinical practice hours, a rigorous, psychometrically valid examination process including an exam developed by an international panel of subject matter experts, lactation-specific education, and guaranteed continuing competence through examination, it's our own fault 'we get no respect'. I can't think of any other allied health care profession that tolerates the same kind of behaviour. Here is the FAQ: What is the Difference Between the IBCLC Credential and Other Certifications? FAQ: I’m confused. What is the difference between your credential and all the others? Answer: It can be confusing, and often the consumer is even more confused than the health professional. There are two important facts to keep in mind: 1. “Certification” is not a legally defined term. Anyone can “ certify” anyone for any type of knowledge or practice. Even with the best of intentions, course providers who cannot grant academic degrees have searched for a term to use to indicate that a student has satisfactorily completed a course of study. Such terms as “Certified Lactation Educator (CBE)” and “ Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC)” are course completion certifications. Some of the courses that offer these course completion verifications are very well designed and have built impressive reputations for quality preparation in their local communities and throughout the country. Other courses are of minimal quality and the credentials they offer very only that a student has paid her registration fee. She may or may not have been present for the entire presentation. She may or may not have completed the suggested background reading or completed the assignments. And every variety of quality, from poor to outstanding exists as well. It is no wonder that confusion is rampant among consumers. 2. “Board Certification” is more tightly defined. It means that the credential is offered by a body consisting of a board of directors drawn from the profession represented and from the supervising and coordinating professions with a stake in a quality certification, and that the exam offered is as thorough, comprehensive, statistically valid and reliable as is possible for the body representative of the profession to make it. Board certification is never associated with the completion of one specific preparation course only; it represents achievement at a level determined by consensus of experts across the breadth and depth of the field. Depending on the credential, board certification requires extensive preparation in the form of field-specific education, substantial clinical experience, post-secondary education, and/or a portfolio presentation. In addition, to ensure the public that the professional remains competent and current in her/his chosen field, recertification by exam at regular intervals is required. Such credentials are the professional standard and are endorsed by the professional associations representing the interests of the professionals who work in the designated fields. The IBCLC credential is endorsed by the International Lactation Consultant Association and is accredited by the US National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) in Washington, DC. Comprehensive courses are an integral part of professional preparation. Course completion, clinical experience, and board certification are all vital components of preparation for practice. A commonly recognized analogy would be the BSN, a course completion certificate, and the RN, a board certification required for practice. If you are going to represent yourself to the public and to your employer as an expert and professional in lactation management, you owe it to both to obtain the best possible preparation, and also to demonstrate acquisition of your skills and knowledge by passing a rigorous, independent board certification examination. Barbara Ash, MA, IBCLC, LLLL *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html