This page outlines different options and paths that exist to become a Lactation Support Provider. The information provided includes the different ways to qualify for credentialing exams as well as training opportunities that are tailored to community needs.​

For information about specific courses or trainings, explore the Lactation Support Providers Training Directory which includes national organizations that offer lactation support courses and training, either online or in-person, across the country. 

Mention or inclusion of an organization, training course, or pathway included in this directory or the training directory does not imply endorsement or support by the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee.

Pathways to Qualify to Sit for the IBCLC Exam

Pathways to Qualify to Sit for the CLC Exam

Pathway to Become a HealthConnect One Breastfeeding Peer Supporter

Pathway to Become a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

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Pathways to Qualify to Sit for the IBCLC Exam

Candidates must choose and complete one of the following pathways before applying for the IBCLC certification examination.

Pathway 1:
1. Health science subjects: Earned by recognized health professionals or completion of 14 health science courses.
2. Human lactation and breastfeeding specific education: 90 hours within the 5 years prior to application plus 5 hours of communication specific education.
3. 1,000 hours of clinical experience with breastfeeding families in an appropriate supervised setting within the 5 years prior to application.

Pathway 2:
1. Health science subjects: Earned by recognized health professionals or completion of 14 health science courses plus 5 hours of communication specific education..
2. Lactation specific academic program verified by IBLCE that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or an equivalent accrediting body.

Pathway 3:
1.  Health science subjects: Earned by recognized health professionals or completion of 14 health science courses.
2. Human lactation and breastfeeding specific education: 90 hours within the 5 years prior to application plus 5 hours of communication specific education.
3. Mentorship with an IBCLC pre-verified by IBLCE (includes 500 clinical experience hours with breastfeeding families).

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Recertification:
IBCLCs are to re-certify every 5 years. Recertifying by examination is no longer a requirement.

Steps to Recertify by Examination:
1. Complete Basic Life Support education
2. Complete 250 hours of clinical practice
3. Apply for the IBCLC examination
4. Sit the IBCLC examination

Steps to Recertify by Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) with Continuing Education Self-Assessment (CE Self-Assessment)
1. Take the CE Self-Assessment
2. Complete required CERPs
3. Complete Basic Life Support education
4. Complete 250 hours of clinical practice
5. Recertify by CERPs

Find more information on the pathways to qualify to sit for the IBCLC Exam by visiting the IBLCE website.

Pathways to Qualify to Sit for the CLC Exam

There are three pathways to qualify to sit for the ALPP Certified Lactation Counselor Exam.

Comprehensive Course Pathway: This course is designed for the person looking to take a single, comprehensive course that covers all skills and competencies necessary for breastfeeding counseling and human lactation. Individuals who complete this pathway must successfully complete a lactation course that is taught by one of our approved training partners. These courses must meet the following requirements:

• 52 hours of training based on the WHO/UNICEF (World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund) Breastfeeding Counseling Training Course that is worth a minimum of 3 college credits and 
• Demonstrates the competencies and skills required to provide safe, evidence-based counseling for those pregnant, lactating, and breastfeeding, within the context of the course.

The Aggregate Pathway: You may take the ALPP Lactation Counselor Certification Exam if you provide documentation of the following:
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1. Proof that you are a currently licensed health professional (RN, APRN, physician, etc.) or hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
2. Proof of completion of a minimum of 45 hours of education within the past year that related directly to the WHO/UNICEF (World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund) Breastfeeding Counseling Training Couse; may be collected from different courses (must submit the completed Academic Content Checklist).
3. Proof of mastery of the skills and competencies necessary for breastfeeding counseling through directly supervised lactation care (submit the completed Counseling Skills Attestation).

The Alternate Pathway:
1. Be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) approved, post-secondary, lactation consultant program.

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Recertification: 
In recognition of the fact that scientific and social knowledge about breastfeeding and human lactation is constantly evolving, certificants are required to obtain a minimum of 18 hours of continuing education in the area of breastfeeding and human lactation every three years. 

• Approved continuing education offerings are ones that focus on evidence-based breastfeeding research, updated management training, advocacy, practice, counseling, promotion, protection, and/or support.
• "Breastfeeding", "lactation", or "human milk" must appear in the title of the offering, or a specific talk within a larger offering.
• All offerings bearing IBLCE "L" or "E" category CERPs count towards the 18-hour requirement (however IBLCE category "R" CERPs may not be used for this purpose.

For more information on pathways to qualify to sit for the CLC exam, visit the ALPP website.

Pathway to Become a HealthConnect One Breastfeeding
Peer Supporter

HealthConnect One is the national leader in advancing respectful, community-based, peer-to-peer support for pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and early parenting. 

HealthConnect One trains Breastfeeding Peer Counselors embedded in clinics, health centers, community organizations and national agencies, leading to rapid and dramatic increases in breastfeeding rates. Since 1986. HealthConnect One has trained thousands of parents, community health workers, and direct service providers.

• Building relationships is the core of our model: Whether we are training five people in Chicago or 20 people in Albuquerque, our staff nurtures each individual to be their best.
• Our trainings are highly interactive: Rather than simply delivering facts and information, we encourage participants to share their own experiences with the group, providing space for discovery, growth, and understanding. We bring participants in touch with their own strengths, their own skills, and a sense of personal and collective power.
• Our training team represents a wide range of cultural backgrounds and expertise: Drawing on years of combined experience designing, tailoring, and delivering training for both local and national agencies. 

A Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is someone who has a successful breastfeeding experience and is interested in supporting others in their community to nurse their babies. They offer culturally appropriate support and information, identify breastfeeding challenges, and provide strategies to help achieve breastfeeding goals. Learn more from a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor in this YouTube video featuring Rocio Martinez, the 2015 winner of the Durbin CHW of the Year Award!

If you are interested in a peer counselor training for your agency, please contact info@healthconnectone.org or call (312) 243-4772. Visit the HC One website here for more information.

Pathway to Becoming a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Peer counselors are tasked with providing new WIC mothers and parents education and emotional support at all points along their breastfeeding journey. What sets peer counselors apart from other lactation and healthcare professionals is that peer counselors understand the difficulties that WIC participants face. Peer counselors provide realistic and practical guidance as a result of shared personal backgrounds and experience, and they are familiar with the resources available to WIC participants. This includes questions that a new breastfeeding mother or parent may ask. 

Minimum Qualifications for Becoming a Peer Counselor:
• Previous breastfeeding experience
• Enthusiasm for breastfeeding
• From the WIC target population and/or a previous/current WIC participant
• Availability to WIC clients outside clinic hours and outside the WIC clinic environment

Preferred Qualifications for Becoming a Peer Counselor:
• High school diploma or GED
• Car and valid driver's license
• Ability to speak more than one language

Apply to become a Peer Counselor: Call or visit your nearest WIC clinic to see if they have a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program. You can find your nearest WIC clinic by visiting the Sign Up WIC website and entering your zip code. WIC agencies often post openings for Breastfeeding Peer Counselors on online job boards and/or the website for the local WIC agency.

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If you are a member of a national organization and would like to submit information about training opportunities for consideration of inclusion on this page, please contact office@usbreastfeeding.org.