50-Hour Lactation Counselor & Educator (LCE) Self-Study Course
What is an LCE certification?
Lactation Counselor & Educator (LCE) training provides you with the foundational clinical and communication skills needed to effectively help nursing families. The goal of this course is to provide the skills and insights needed to apply lactation theory to clinical practice.
The LCE course offers a stand-alone certification; it can also fulfill 50 of the required 95 hours of lactation-specific education needed to qualify for the IBCLC exam, including the required five hours of communication skills. The 50 L-CERPs it offers can be used towards IBCLC recertification, and it offers 50 Nursing Contact Hours.
Offering Nursing Contact Hours for this course
Scope of Practice
The LCE Scope of Practice is based upon the Breastfeeding Scope of Practice by Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Staff Level Three. LCEs may offer clinical skills to help in specific areas. For a list of topics for LCE and a comparison to the Scope of Practice for the CCLS 95-Hour course, see here.
LCE Certification Requirements
- Complete the 50-hour training course, focused on lactation and communication skills.
- Review and study all lessons and turn in assignments.
- Pass quizzes to reflect knowledge and understanding.
- Agree to abide by the LCE Scope of Practice.
- Complete a final evaluation.
After completing the 50-hour LCE course, LactaLearning offers our 45-hour Completion Course for those who want to receive all 95 hours of the lactation-specific education required to qualify for the IBCLC Exam. Contact Barbara@lactalearning.com for more information.
Why our 50-hour LCE Course is Exceptional
Our LCE training covers the course topics from the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline:
I: Development & Nutrition (10 CERPs)
II: Physiology & Endocrinology (2 CERPs)
III: Pathology (11 CERPs)
IV: Pharmacology &Toxicology (4 CERPs)
V: Psychology, Sociology, & Anthropology (0 CERPs)
VI: Techniques (9 CERPs)
VII: Clinical Skills (14 CERPs, including 5 CERPs in Communication Skills)
The LactaLearning Difference
Engaging mix of learning modalities: podcasts, short videos, live discussions & more.
A wealth of lactation resources you’ll turn to again and again.
Direct connections to highly experienced teachers and course creators you trust.
A head-and-heart approach so you can more effectively empower families.
Innovative course design makes it easy to focus on topics you need.
Educational best practices help you retain more vital knowledge and skills.
Entry to a supportive community of like-minded breastfeeding advocates.
The flexibility you need to study at convenient times and places.
Recertification LCE Requirements
To maintain your LCE credential, you may choose any of these options below within five years of your initial certification and subsequent recertification dates:
- Retake the LCE course.
- Earn 25 L- and/or E-CERPs, and pay a fee of $75 (include your proof of certs completed).
- Gain a CCLS certification credential through LactaLearning.
- Gain the IBCLC credential (Send us your IBCLC number upon initial certification. If you do not maintain IBCLC status, you may use any of the above three other options to recertify as an LCE).
Frequently Asked Questions
Payment Options
Fees are based on a country tier system. Determine your country's tier here.
One-time payment $599
Two-time payment $300 each
See Terms & Conditions for Completion and Refund policies.