The Worldwide Board Licensed Lactation Advisor (IBCLC) examination is a extremely revered credential for lactation professionals. The examination is obtainable twice a 12 months, within the spring and fall. The 2025 examination dates have been introduced, and registration is now open. If you’re contemplating turning into an IBCLC, now’s the time to start out getting ready.
The IBCLC examination is a difficult however rewarding expertise. The examination covers a variety of subjects, together with lactation physiology, breastfeeding administration, and counseling expertise. To organize for the examination, you’ll need to check diligently and achieve expertise working with breastfeeding households. There are a variety of assets out there that can assist you put together for the examination, together with examine guides, on-line programs, and apply exams. By following the following tips, you’ll be able to enhance your probabilities of success on the IBCLC examination.
Turning into an IBCLC is an effective way to advance your profession in lactation. IBCLCs are in excessive demand, they usually can work in a wide range of settings, together with hospitals, clinics, and personal apply. If you’re enthusiastic about serving to breastfeeding households, turning into an IBCLC is an effective way to make a distinction within the lives of others.
The best way to Register for the IBCLC Examination in 2025
Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Necessities
Earlier than you’ll be able to register for the examination, you should meet the Worldwide Board of Lactation Advisor Examiners (IBLCE) eligibility necessities. These necessities embrace:
- Holding a bachelor’s diploma or increased in a health-related area
- Finishing an IBLCE-approved lactation guide coaching program
- Having a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised scientific expertise in lactation consulting inside the previous 5 years
Step 2: Collect Your Paperwork
To register for the examination, you’ll need to offer the next paperwork:
- Official transcripts out of your bachelor’s diploma program
- A certificates of completion out of your IBLCE-approved lactation guide coaching program
- A log of your supervised scientific expertise in lactation consulting
Submitting Your Paperwork
You possibly can submit your paperwork on-line, by mail, or by fax. The IBLCE gives detailed directions on the way to submit your paperwork on its web site.
Step 3: Register for the Examination
After getting submitted your paperwork they usually have been permitted, you’ll be able to register for the examination. The examination is obtainable twice a 12 months, in Could and October. You possibly can register for the examination on-line or by mail.
The registration payment is $350. You possibly can pay the payment on-line by bank card or by mail by test or cash order.
Step 4: Put together for the Examination
After getting registered for the examination, it’s best to begin getting ready for it. The IBLCE gives a wide range of examine supplies, together with a examine information, apply questions, and on-line programs. You must also evaluate the IBLCE’s Code of Skilled Conduct and Scope of Apply.
Step 5: Take the Examination
The IBCLC examination is a computer-based examination that’s administered at testing facilities world wide. The examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. You should have 3 hours to finish the examination.
Step 6: Obtain Your Outcomes
You’ll obtain your examination outcomes inside 4-6 weeks of taking the examination. The IBLCE will ship you a letter that can let when you handed or failed the examination.
If you happen to handed the examination, you can be issued an IBCLC certificates. Your certificates will probably be legitimate for 5 years.
Examine Information and Sources for the 2025 IBCLC Examination
1. Official IBCLC Examination Examine Information
The official IBCLC examination examine information is essentially the most complete useful resource out there for getting ready for the examination. It consists of info on the examination format, content material define, and pattern questions. You should buy the examine information from the IBLCE web site.
2. IBCLC Examination Preparation Programs
A number of organizations supply IBCLC examination preparation programs. These programs can give you structured steering and assist as you examine for the examination. They usually cowl the examination content material define intimately and supply apply questions and mock exams.
3. On-line Sources
There are lots of on-line assets out there that can assist you put together for the IBCLC examination. These embrace web sites, blogs, and boards the place you’ll find info on the examination, examine ideas, and apply questions. Some web sites even supply free on-line apply exams.
4. Advisable Studying Supplies
Along with the official examine information, there are a number of really helpful studying supplies that may provide help to put together for the IBCLC examination. These supplies cowl a variety of subjects associated to lactation and breastfeeding, together with anatomy and physiology, vitamin, counseling, and analysis.
| Subject | Advisable Studying Supplies |
|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology |
|
| Diet |
|
| Counseling |
|
| Analysis |
|
Examination Format and Content material 2025 IBCLC
Examination Format
The IBCLC examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, which have to be accomplished in a 3-hour 45-minute time-frame. The examination is split into 4 sections, every overlaying a distinct facet of lactation consulting.
Examination Content material
The examination content material relies on the Worldwide Board of Lactation Advisor Examiners (IBLCE) Activity Evaluation, which outlines the data and expertise required of an IBCLC. The content material is split into 5 core domains:
- Lactation Counseling and Administration
- Anatomy and Physiology of Lactation
- Administration of Widespread Breastfeeding Issues
- Skilled Apply and Ethics
4. Breastfeeding Promotion and Training
Lactation Counseling and Administration
This area covers subjects resembling prenatal and postnatal counseling, breastfeeding evaluation, and the promotion of breastfeeding as a public well being subject.
Anatomy and Physiology of Lactation
This area covers the anatomical constructions and physiological processes concerned in lactation.
Administration of Widespread Breastfeeding Issues
This area covers the causes, prognosis, and remedy choices for varied breastfeeding issues, resembling nipple ache, mastitis, and low milk manufacturing.
Breastfeeding Promotion and Training
This area covers the rules and practices of breastfeeding promotion and schooling, together with methods for reaching various populations and supporting breastfeeding communities.
Skilled Apply and Ethics
This area covers the authorized and moral obligations of IBCLCs, in addition to the rules of evidence-based apply and high quality enchancment.
Examination Places and Scheduling for 2025 IBCLC
The Worldwide Board Licensed Lactation Advisor (IBCLC) examination is obtainable a number of instances all year long at varied places worldwide. The 2025 examination dates haven’t but been introduced, however they may possible be just like the 2024 schedule, which incorporates:
Examination Places
The IBCLC examination is obtainable in over 80 international locations and territories worldwide. The precise places range annually, however they usually embrace main cities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Scheduling
The IBCLC examination is often provided twice a 12 months, in Could and November. The precise dates and instances range relying on the situation, however they’re usually held on a weekday.
Examination Format
The IBCLC examination is a computer-based, multiple-choice examination. It consists of 200 questions, which have to be accomplished inside 3 hours and quarter-hour.
Examination Charges
The examination payment is about by the IBLCE and varies relying on the nation or area. In the USA, the examination payment is $325.
Examination Preparation
You will need to put together completely for the IBCLC examination. The IBLCE recommends that candidates examine for a minimum of 200 hours, specializing in the next subjects:
| Human lactation |
| Anatomy and physiology of the breast |
| Lactation administration |
| Counseling and assist |
| Analysis and evidence-based apply |
Proctored Examination Necessities for the IBCLC Examination 2025
Identification Necessities
Candidates should current two types of government-issued identification with their signatures and images. Passports, driver’s licenses, and nationwide identification playing cards are all acceptable.
Private Belongings
Candidates are usually not permitted to carry any private belongings into the testing heart, apart from a timing system and a water bottle. All different objects, together with digital units, have to be left in a delegated safe space.
Costume Code
Candidates are anticipated to put on acceptable apparel that’s comfy and permits for ease of motion. Athletic footwear and loose-fitting clothes are really helpful.
Take a look at Period and Break
The IBCLC Examination is a three-hour, 40-minute examination. Candidates are permitted one 15-minute break throughout the examination, which have to be taken at a delegated time.
Examination Format
The IBCLC Examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Questions cowl a spread of subjects associated to lactation, breastfeeding, and human milk.
Testing Atmosphere
Exams are administered in a safe and confidential setting. Candidates will probably be positioned in particular person testing cubicles outfitted with computer systems and headsets.
Know-how Necessities
Candidates should present their very own wi-fi headphones or earbuds that meet the next necessities:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth functionality | Should be capable to set up a wi-fi reference to the pc within the testing heart. |
| Sound high quality | Should present clear and intelligible sound replica. |
| Microphone | Not required. |
| Battery life | Will need to have adequate battery life to final the length of the examination. |
| Ear match | Should match comfortably and securely within the candidate’s ears. |
Lodging for the 2025 IBCLC Examination
The IBCLC examination is obtainable with lodging to make sure honest and equitable testing alternatives for all candidates with disabilities.
Documentation of Incapacity
To request lodging, candidates should submit documentation from a professional skilled that verifies the incapacity and gives suggestions for particular lodging.
Lodging Choices
Out there lodging embrace:
- Prolonged time (as much as double the usual time)
- Assistive expertise (e.g., display readers, magnifiers)
- Separate testing room
- Scribe or reader
Process for Requesting Lodging
To request lodging, candidates should:
- Submit the “Request for Lodging Kind” a minimum of 90 days earlier than the examination date.
- Present supporting documentation of the incapacity.
- Attend a pre-testing session with IBLCE employees to debate lodging wants.
- Submit your utility for certification.
- Pay the certification payment.
- Full the required persevering with schooling hours.
- Preserve your certification by renewing it each 5 years.
- Formal coursework
- Workshops and webinars
- Self-study with permitted supplies
- Displays and publications
- April 18, 2025
- September 19, 2025
- December 12, 2025
Confidentiality
All lodging requests and supporting documentation are stored strictly confidential.
Lodging Choices
IBLCE will evaluate the documentation and decide concerning the requested lodging. Candidates will probably be notified of the choice in writing.
| Lodging | Description |
|---|---|
| Prolonged Time | As much as double the usual testing time, with breaks as wanted |
| Assistive Know-how | Use of specialised {hardware} or software program to help with testing |
| Separate Testing Room | A quiet and distraction-free testing setting |
| Scribe or Reader | An individual to help with studying or writing the examination |
Examination Outcomes and Certification Timeline 2025
1. Examination Registration Deadline
The registration deadline for the 2025 IBCLC examination is [date].
2. Examination Date
The 2025 IBCLC examination will probably be held on [date].
3. Examination Outcomes Launch Date
Examination outcomes will probably be launched roughly [number] weeks after the examination date.
4. Certification Timeline
When you move the examination, you’ll need to finish the next steps to turn out to be a licensed IBCLC:
9. Persevering with Training Necessities
To keep up your IBCLC certification, you should full the next persevering with schooling necessities each 5 years:
| Class | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Lactation Administration | 25 |
| Enterprise Administration | 10 |
| Analysis | 5 |
| Different (e.g., advocacy, schooling) | 5 |
A complete of 45 hours of continuous schooling are required each 5 years.
Persevering with Training and Recertification for the IBCLC Examination 2025
The Worldwide Board of Lactation Advisor Examiners (IBLCE) requires IBCLCs to finish persevering with schooling (CE) and recertification to keep up their credentials. Listed below are the small print for 2025:
CE Necessities for Recertification
To keep up IBCLC certification, IBCLCs should earn 75 CE credit each 5 years.
Kinds of CE Actions
Acceptable CE actions embrace:
Recertification Timeline
The recertification cycle runs from January 1st, 2021, to December thirty first, 2025. IBCLCs should full their CE necessities and recertify by December thirty first, 2025.
CE Credit score Monitoring
IBCLCs are accountable for monitoring their CE credit. The IBLCE gives a web-based CE Monitoring System (CTS) for this objective.
Charges for Recertification
The payment for recertification is $125 for IBLCE members and $200 for non-members.
Examination for Recertification
IBCLCs should move a recertification examination to keep up their certification. The examination is obtainable twice a 12 months, in June and November.
Examination Preparation
The IBLCE gives a wide range of assets to assist IBCLCs put together for the recertification examination, together with examine guides and apply exams.
Examination Format
The recertification examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have 3 hours to finish the examination.
Examination Passing Rating
To move the recertification examination, candidates should earn a rating of 70% or increased.
Examination Outcomes
Examination outcomes are usually launched inside 4-6 weeks of the examination date.
IBCLC Examination Dates 2025
The Worldwide Board of Lactation Advisor Examiners (IBLCE) has introduced the examination dates for 2025. The examination will probably be provided on three dates:
The applying deadline for the April examination is March 10, 2025. The applying deadline for the September examination is August 11, 2025. The applying deadline for the December examination is November 10, 2025.
Folks Additionally Ask About IBCLC Examination Dates 2025
What’s one of the best ways to organize for the IBCLC examination?
The IBLCE recommends that candidates use a wide range of assets to organize for the examination, together with examine guides, apply exams, and on-line programs.
What’s the passing rating for the IBCLC examination?
The passing rating for the IBCLC examination is 70%. Candidates should accurately reply 70% of the multiple-choice questions and 80% of the case examine questions.
How lengthy does it take to get my IBCLC certification?
The IBCLC certification course of takes roughly 12-18 months to finish. Candidates should first full the Lactation Advisor Coaching Program, which is often provided by way of faculties and universities. After finishing the coaching program, candidates should move the IBCLC examination.
