CEUs, CERPs and CMEs are awarded by independently accredited institutions. It costs THEM time, money and expertise to acquire the specialized authority to determine that continuing education programs meet the stated needs, and teach the claimed materials, by presenters worthy of the challenge. That is why it costs YOU money to receive continuing education that is recognized by the boards that license and certify us as health care providers, and the employers who must demonstrate that we are still knowledgable and capable of doing our jobs. If not, I could have a whole lot of fun, and probably make a bucket of money to boot, by doling out certificates for the Liz Brooks Approved Lactation Learning Modules. One can probably find a few free or low-cost CEUs, CERPs and CMEs. IBLCE offers a "free" CERP for those who are willing to devise test quetions. They permit you to use your CPR training (which many of us must have to keep our jobs) as a "two fer" for a few CERPs credits. But we can't get our entire continuing education load for free. This is simply the "cost of doing business" -- our business. We have to keep our education up .... just as we have to buy uniforms or clothes to wear to work ... we have to have a car/public transit to get us to our workplace .... we have to carry professional liaibility insurance. Who are the folks who HAVE figured out how MDs RNs and IBCLCs can get "free" continuing education? The formula companies and their parents, the pharmaceutical companies. They have offered, in various venues, to pay for health care providers to attend educational sessions. They pay the travel, the hotel, the conference fee. The HCP gets the credits. If this doesn't alarm the WHO Code hairs on the back on your neck ... it ought to raise the hackes of anyone who is concerned about real or perceived conflicts of intrest -- which apply to every HCP, not just IBCLCs. If you want to learn more, get an eyeful at propublica.org (click on Dollars for Docs) or read the treatise by Lo and Field, available on the Web -- in particular, Chap 5 http://dpcpsi.nih.gov/pdf/Final-Report-Conflict-Interest-(08-6002-OD-OER)-9-18-09.pdf *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome