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. In case you are contemplating turning into an IBCLC, now’s the time to start out making ready.
The IBCLC examination is a difficult however rewarding expertise. The examination covers a variety of matters, together with lactation physiology, breastfeeding administration, and counseling expertise. To organize for the examination, you have to to review diligently and achieve expertise working with breastfeeding households. There are a selection of assets out there that will help you put together for the examination, together with examine guides, on-line programs, and observe exams. By following the following tips, you may improve 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, and so they can work in quite a lot of settings, together with hospitals, clinics, and personal observe. In case you are keen about serving to breastfeeding households, turning into an IBCLC is an effective way to make a distinction within the lives of others.
How you can Register for the IBCLC Examination in 2025
Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Necessities
Earlier than you may register for the examination, it’s essential to meet the Worldwide Board of Lactation Advisor Examiners (IBLCE) eligibility necessities. These necessities embrace:
- Holding a bachelor’s diploma or greater in a health-related area
- Finishing an IBLCE-approved lactation advisor coaching program
- Having a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised scientific expertise in lactation consulting throughout the previous 5 years
Step 2: Collect Your Paperwork
To register for the examination, you have to to offer the next paperwork:
- Official transcripts out of your bachelor’s diploma program
- A certificates of completion out of your IBLCE-approved lactation advisor coaching program
- A log of your supervised scientific expertise in lactation consulting
Submitting Your Paperwork
You may submit your paperwork on-line, by mail, or by fax. The IBLCE gives detailed directions on easy methods to submit your paperwork on its web site.
Step 3: Register for the Examination
After getting submitted your paperwork and so they have been permitted, you may register for the examination. The examination is obtainable twice a 12 months, in Might and October. You may register for the examination on-line or by mail.
The registration price is $350. You may pay the price on-line by bank card or by mail by verify or cash order.
Step 4: Put together for the Examination
After getting registered for the examination, you need to begin making ready for it. The IBLCE gives quite a lot of examine supplies, together with a examine information, observe questions, and on-line programs. You must also overview the IBLCE’s Code of Skilled Conduct and Scope of Observe.
Step 5: Take the Examination
The IBCLC examination is a computer-based examination that’s administered at testing facilities around the globe. 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 may let you understand if you happen to handed or failed the examination.
When you handed the examination, you’ll be issued an IBCLC certificates. Your certificates shall be legitimate for 5 years.
Research Information and Assets for the 2025 IBCLC Examination
1. Official IBCLC Examination Research Information
The official IBCLC examination examine information is probably the most complete useful resource out there for making ready for the examination. It consists of data 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 offer you structured steerage and help as you examine for the examination. They sometimes cowl the examination content material define intimately and supply observe questions and mock exams.
3. On-line Assets
There are various on-line assets out there that will help you put together for the IBCLC examination. These embrace web sites, blogs, and boards the place you will discover data on the examination, examine suggestions, and observe questions. Some web sites even supply free on-line observe exams.
4. Really helpful Studying Supplies
Along with the official examine information, there are a number of beneficial studying supplies that may allow you to put together for the IBCLC examination. These supplies cowl a variety of matters associated to lactation and breastfeeding, together with anatomy and physiology, vitamin, counseling, and analysis.
| Matter | Really helpful 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 should be accomplished in a 3-hour 45-minute timeframe. The examination is split into 4 sections, every protecting a unique facet of lactation consulting.
Examination Content material
The examination content material relies on the Worldwide Board of Lactation Advisor Examiners (IBLCE) Process 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 Observe and Ethics
4. Breastfeeding Promotion and Training
Lactation Counseling and Administration
This area covers matters resembling prenatal and postnatal counseling, breastfeeding evaluation, and the promotion of breastfeeding as a public well being difficulty.
Anatomy and Physiology of Lactation
This area covers the anatomical buildings and physiological processes concerned in lactation.
Administration of Widespread Breastfeeding Issues
This area covers the causes, analysis, 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 training, together with methods for reaching various populations and supporting breastfeeding communities.
Skilled Observe and Ethics
This area covers the authorized and moral tasks of IBCLCs, in addition to the rules of evidence-based observe 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 areas worldwide. The 2025 examination dates haven’t but been introduced, however they may possible be much like the 2024 schedule, which incorporates:
Examination Places
The IBCLC examination is obtainable in over 80 nations and territories worldwide. The precise areas fluctuate annually, however they sometimes embrace main cities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Scheduling
The IBCLC examination is often provided twice a 12 months, in Might and November. The precise dates and instances fluctuate relying on the situation, however they’re sometimes held on a weekday.
Examination Format
The IBCLC examination is a computer-based, multiple-choice examination. It consists of 200 questions, which should be accomplished inside 3 hours and quarter-hour.
Examination Charges
The examination price is about by the IBLCE and varies relying on the nation or area. In america, the examination price 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 matters:
| Human lactation |
| Anatomy and physiology of the breast |
| Lactation administration |
| Counseling and help |
| Analysis and evidence-based observe |
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 id playing cards are all acceptable.
Private Belongings
Candidates usually are not permitted to carry any private belongings into the testing middle, aside from a timing system and a water bottle. All different gadgets, together with digital gadgets, should be left in a chosen safe space.
Costume Code
Candidates are anticipated to put on applicable apparel that’s snug and permits for ease of motion. Athletic sneakers and loose-fitting clothes are beneficial.
Take a look at Length and Break
The IBCLC Examination is a three-hour, 40-minute examination. Candidates are permitted one 15-minute break throughout the examination, which should be taken at a chosen time.
Examination Format
The IBCLC Examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Questions cowl a spread of matters associated to lactation, breastfeeding, and human milk.
Testing Atmosphere
Exams are administered in a safe and confidential setting. Candidates shall be positioned in particular person testing cubicles geared up 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 of set up a wi-fi reference to the pc within the testing middle. |
| Sound high quality | Should present clear and intelligible sound copy. |
| Microphone | Not required. |
| Battery life | Should 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 truthful and equitable testing alternatives for all candidates with disabilities.
Documentation of Incapacity
To request lodging, candidates should submit documentation from a certified skilled that verifies the incapacity and gives suggestions for particular lodging.
Lodging Choices
Obtainable lodging embrace:
- Prolonged time (as much as double the usual time)
- Assistive know-how (e.g., display screen 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 software for certification.
- Pay the certification price.
- Full the required persevering with training 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 overview the documentation and decide concerning the requested lodging. Candidates shall 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 atmosphere |
| 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 shall be held on [date].
3. Examination Outcomes Launch Date
Examination outcomes shall be launched roughly [number] weeks after the examination date.
4. Certification Timeline
When you move the examination, you have to to finish the next steps to turn out to be an authorized IBCLC:
9. Persevering with Training Necessities
To take care of your IBCLC certification, it’s essential to full the next persevering with training necessities each 5 years:
| Class | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Lactation Administration | 25 |
| Enterprise Administration | 10 |
| Analysis | 5 |
| Different (e.g., advocacy, training) | 5 |
A complete of 45 hours of constant training 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 training (CE) and recertification to keep up their credentials. Listed here are the main points for 2025:
CE Necessities for Recertification
To take care of IBCLC certification, IBCLCs should earn 75 CE credit each 5 years.
Forms 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 liable for monitoring their CE credit. The IBLCE gives a web based CE Monitoring System (CTS) for this function.
Charges for Recertification
The price 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 quite a lot of assets to assist IBCLCs put together for the recertification examination, together with examine guides and observe 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 greater.
Examination Outcomes
Examination outcomes are sometimes 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 shall 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 simplest ways to organize for the IBCLC examination?
The IBLCE recommends that candidates use quite a lot of assets to organize for the examination, together with examine guides, observe 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 appropriately 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 via faculties and universities. After finishing the coaching program, candidates should move the IBCLC examination.
