New Courses for IBCLC Recertification

New Courses for IBCLC Recertification by CERPs

Are you confused by the IBLCE’s recent changes to IBCLC recertification involving its 2023 IBCLC Detailed Content Outline? If so, we are not surprised because it is super confusing!

Breaking News: IBCLC Exam Is No Longer Required. One major change is that IBCLCs are no longer required to retake its exam every 10 years. To maintain their credential, every 5 years, IBCLCs still need to recertify, either by exam or by CERPs. But a lot has changed about recertifying by CERPs.

LactaLearning Makes Recertifying by CERPs Easier by offering recertification courses aligned with the new requirements.

• Comprehensive Course: 75 CERPs in one place in a self-study format that covers all topic areas of the 2023 IBCLC Detailed Content Outline, including the required 5 E-CERPs.
• Targeted self-study courses that enable you to tailor your CERPs to the exact topic areas you need

New Requirements for Recertifying by CERPs. As explained in the IBLCE Recertification Guidelines, since 2022, before recertifying by CERPs, every IBCLC must take the CE Self-Assessment. Your results determine your continuing education recertification requirements.

After submitting a completed CE Self-Assessment to the IBLCE (no more often than once every 5 years), it sends you a Personalized Professional Development Plan for recertification. Your scores on your CE Self-Assessment determine the topic areas of the 2023 IBCLC Detailed Content Outline you must complete for recertification.

As IBLCE transitions to its new recertification process, here’s how its requirements differ in 2023 and 2024.

• In 2023, IBCLCs must complete 20 L-CERPs (30% of the required 75 total CERPs)in the topic areas with scores below 75% on their CE Self-Assessment.
• From 2024 and beyond, IBCLCs must complete 34 CERPs (50% of the required 75 total CERPs)in the topic areas with scores below 75%.

You do not need an equal number of CERPs in each assigned topic area. If you score below 75% in more than one topic area, you need at least one CERP in each assigned topic area. (Example: In 2023, you need 20 L-CERPs in topic areas III, IV, and V. You can meet this requirement by completing 10 CERPs in III, 1 CERP in IV, and 9 CERPs in V.)

There is also more to know. The 75 total required CERPs must include at least:

• 50 L-CERPs
• 5 E-CERPs
• Basic Life Support Education (any CPR or Newborn Resuscitation certification, which is recognized by the IBLCE as 3 R-CERPs and counts in your total required 75 CERPs)
• 17 additional CERPs (any combination of L-, E-, and/or R-CERPs)

As noted above, in 2023, the 50 L-CERPs must include the assigned 20 L-CERPs and from 2024 on, the assigned 34 L-CERPs. If you score above 75% in all topic areas on your CE Self-Assessment, you can choose 50 L-CERPs from any topic areas.