How to Recertify

All IBCLCs are required to recertify every 5 years to maintain their accreditation and qualification. This can be done by Exam or Continued Education Points Process – CERPS. For full information, see Recertification Guide

Other necessary requirements include a Total of 75 CERPs which must include:

• 5 “E” – Ethical CERPS
• 3 “R” BLS Education CERPS
• “34” CERPS based on their Continued Education Self-Assessment (for 2024)

CESA will give a Personal Professional Development Plan and individual score to work out your required CERPS. Balance can include a mixture of “L”, “R” CERPS depending on the PPDP Score allowing for a Minimum of 50” L” Lactation CERPS in total and a Maximum of 20 “R” related CERPS. 1 hour of Education attendance gives 1 CERP credit.  Additional information including ways to get CERPS include:

• Individual CERPs Guide
• Recertification by CERPs with Continuing Education Self-Assessment FAQs

For all methods of recertification, evidence of practice involvement is required: Evidence of 250 clinical / practice / Education/ Advocacy hours…see link for examples

Recertification FAQs

The Clinical Practice Calculator can be helpful in logging the above hours. Assistance in identifying what educational hours provides what CERPS can be found here. Link. https://ibclc-commission.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2022_October_Lactation-Specific-Clinical-Practice-Calculator.xlsx

Examination FAQs

Follow here https://ibclc-commission.org/examination-faqs/

Full “Recertification guide” can be found here.

1. 1. https://ibclc-commission.org/ibclc-information/

1. 1. https://ibclc-commission.org/faqs-for-recertification/#general-recertification-faqs

1. 1. https://ibclc-commission.org/faqs-for-recertification/#Clinical-Practice

1. 1. https://ibclc-commission.org/faqs-for-recertification/#Recert-by-CERPs

1. 1. https://ibclc-commission.org/faqs-for-recertification/#Continuing-Education

1. 1. https://ibclc-commission.org/examination-faqs/