How long does it take to become a certified lactation specialist?

Becoming a Certified Lactation Specialist: A Comprehensive Overview
The journey to becoming a certified lactation specialist, particularly an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), is both rewarding and demanding. It involves a combination of education, practical experience, and rigorous examination. Here’s a detailed look at the process and the time commitment involved.
Educational Requirements
To embark on this path, aspiring lactation consultants must first meet specific educational prerequisites. The IBCLC certification requires candidates to complete at least 95 hours of lactation-specific education. This education typically includes college-level courses in health sciences, which can vary in duration depending on the institution and the individual’s prior educational background.
For those who are already healthcare practitioners—such as nurses, midwives, or doctors—the process can be expedited. They may complete a one-year certificate program to become a lactation consultant, leveraging their existing medical knowledge and experience.
Practical Experience
In addition to formal education, candidates must accumulate clinical experience. The IBCLC certification requires a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice in lactation care. This hands-on experience is crucial, as it allows candidates to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, working directly with breastfeeding families.
Certification Process
Once the educational and practical experience requirements are met, candidates can sit for the IBCLC exam. This exam is known for its rigor and comprehensive nature, testing candidates on various aspects of lactation management and support.
Timeline Overview
The total time it takes to become a certified lactation specialist can vary significantly based on individual circumstances:
– For healthcare professionals: If you already have a background in health sciences, the entire process—from completing the necessary lactation education to gaining clinical hours—can take approximately one to two years.

– For those without a healthcare background: The timeline may extend to three years or more, as individuals will need to complete foundational health science courses before pursuing lactation-specific education and clinical hours.
Conclusion
Becoming a certified lactation specialist is a commitment that requires dedication and a passion for supporting breastfeeding families. While the timeline can vary based on prior education and experience, the end result is a fulfilling career that plays a vital role in maternal and child health. Whether through direct support or education, lactation consultants are essential in promoting successful breastfeeding practices, making their journey worthwhile for those who choose this path.

How much does CLC certification cost?

Exam: Your exam will consist of multiple-choice questions and take about 2 hours. Cost: The application fee is $20, and the exam fee is $100. If you choose to enroll in a course, plan for costs in the $600 to $800 range. Renewal: You’ll need to renew every 3 years.

How long does it take to become a certified lactation consultant?

It takes multiple years to become an IBCLC, 95 hours of lactation-specific education, between 300 and 1,000 hands-on clinical hours, and 14 college-level health-science specific courses. IBCLCs must also pass a strenuous IBCLC exam and be recertified every five years to maintain their certification.

Is becoming a lactation consultant hard?

Preparing to take the exam to become an IBCLC is a rigorous, demanding, and years-long process. Of the over one thousand first time candidates who sat for the exam when I did, my exam score was the highest worldwide. I build upon this solid knowledge base by seeking out continuing education on a variety of topics.

What is the highest salary for a lactation consultant?

Lactation Consultant Salary in California

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay
Top Earners	$149,516	$12,459
75th Percentile	$101,700	$8,475
Average	$85,298	$7,108
25th Percentile	$60,200	$5,016

Do you have to go to school to be a lactation consultant?

How to Become a Lactation Consultant? There are three specific pathways toward becoming a certified lactation consultant. Each pathway requires the completion of fourteen health science prerequisite courses, 95 hours of lactation-specific coursework, and 300-1000 hours of supervised clinical experience.

Can I be a lactation consultant without being an RN?

Yes. Being an RN is not a requirement for certification as a lactation consultant.

How difficult is the CLC exam?

The CLC examination is a challenging certification test. Many people retake one or both portions of the exam for a variety of reasons, including if they are making up time from a previous exam location.

What is the difference between CLC and IBCLC?

How are IBCLCs different from CLCs? A Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) is a lower credential than IBCLC, appropriate for helping breastfeeding parents with simple problems. To obtain the CLC credential, a candidate only has to take a 4.5-day course and a test.

How much does a CLC get paid?

What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Certified Lactation Counselor Clc Jobs

City	Annual Salary	Hourly Wage
San Francisco, CA	$70,303	$33.80
Santa Clara, CA	$70,081	$33.69
Sunnyvale, CA	$70,034	$33.67
Livermore, CA	$69,994	$33.65

How much school to be a lactation consultant?

How to Become a Lactation Consultant? There are three specific pathways toward becoming a certified lactation consultant. Each pathway requires the completion of fourteen health science prerequisite courses, 95 hours of lactation-specific coursework, and 300-1000 hours of supervised clinical experience.