IBCLC Recertification in 2023

Dear IBCLC Due to Recertify in 2023,

Thank you for your commitment to the IBCLC credential and, most importantly, the support you provide to breastfeeding families.

To maintain your credential, you must recertify no later than September 30, 2023. This year is different. Please review the information below and on the website for details.

Recertification by examination every ten years is no longer a requirement! Now, there are two options available for every five-year recertification cycle:

taking and passing the IBCLC examination in 2023 at the dates provided below; OR
successfully submitting an application to recertify by CERPs with the Continuing Education Self-Assessment (CE Self-Assessment) as described below.

Your certification expires on December 31, 2023.

You must meet the following three requirements to recertify in 2023:

Requirement 1: Basic Life Support Education

Requirement 2: 250 Hours of Practice in Lactation Consulting

Requirement 3: Select & Complete One Recertification Method

There are now two recertification options for each five-year recertification cycle:

The IBCLC examination remains an option for recertification but is no longer a requirement.

Option 1: Recertification by Examination

Applications for the March 2023 IBCLC examination will open on October 21, 2022.

Option 2: Recertification by CERPs with Continuing Education Self-Assessment (CE Self-Assessment)

How does recertification by CERPs with the CE Self-Assessment work?

The CE Self-Assessment is a free, 120-minute, remote assessment with approximately 70 multiple-choice questions based on the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline.

Upon completion of the CE Self-Assessment, you will receive immediate feedback in the form of a Personalised Professional Development Plan. This plan will show you the topic areas of the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline where you may need to focus some of your continuing education.

2022 was the beginning of the transition period. The required periodic practice analysis capturing changes to practice resulted in an updated Detailed Content Outline (DCO) for 2023. Therefore, the CE Self-Assessment has been realigned with this, the revised DCO.

As IBLCE continues to transition to this new model, which no longer mandates re-examination, for IBCLCs due to recertify in 2023, of the 75 total CERPs required, up to 20 CERPs (30%) will be based on your Personalised Professional Development Plan.

You will receive an email soon with a link to log in to the CE Self-Assessment Dashboard when it becomes available to IBCLCs due to recertify in 2023. You can take the CE Self-Assessment only once and at any time.

To recertify by CERPs, you will need to complete all requirements and submit your recertification by CERPs application by September 30, 2023. Please review the 2023 CERPs requirements below: