Every time we have one of our courses, students ask what they can call
themselves before they sit for and pass the IBCLC exam.  We are struggling
with this dilemma along with our students.  It seems appropriate that until
they finish the course, they could be considered a "Student Lactation
Consultant."  After graduating from one of our lactation consultant courses,
they could be called a "Graduate Lactation Consultant."  The issue is further
complicated by the fact that students may attend our 6-day Lactation
Management course without following up with the home study track that rounds
out the Lactation Consultant program.  After participating in 89 classroom
hours they want to be able to use some sort of title while they are waiting
to take the IBLCE exam.

There are already so many titles floating around that BSC doesn't want to
muddy the waters any further.  We have encouraged our students to address
their questions to ILCA and IBLCE, as it seems most appropriate that they
should both be working together to resolve this issue.  However, in the
meantime, our students want to be able to show some recognition besides a
certificate that indicates the number of continuing education hours they have
achieved.

Our staff has debated this issue several times.  Some terms we have
discussed, for an LC course of 150 hours or more as defined by IBCLC, are:
    Student in an LC course: "Student Lactation Consultant" or SLC
    Graduate of the course:  "Graduate Lactation Consultant" or GLC

We have not been able to identify an appropriate title for students in a
course that is less than the 150 hours.  Perhaps "Apprentice LC" ?  Or
perhaps a title is not appropriate at all?  We will address this issue with
both ILCA and IBLCE, and would also welcome input from Lactnetters.  Thanks!

Judi Lauwers
BSC Executive Director