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

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