Your journey to becoming a Certified Lactation Consultant starts here. StudyIBCLC is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals and aspiring lactation consultants master the IBCLC exam with confidence and clarity. Through our expert-curated subscription plans to suit the hectic schedules of healthcare practitioners and trainees, we help you prepare to meet the rigorous standards of the International Board of Lactation Consultant examiners. From academic videos to guideline discussions, revisions, and more, our subscription plans enclose everything you need. Whether you’re just starting your certification journey or refining your expertise, we’re here to support you at every step. Join a trusted community committed to excellence in lactation care.
StudyIBCLC, a dedicated initiative by StudyMEDIC Academy, supports aspiring International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) throughout their certification journey. With flexible short- and long-term subscription plans, candidates gain access to expert-curated study materials, high-yield revision resources, exam-focused learning tools, and comprehensive preparation. Developed by experienced IBCLC educators, StudyIBCLC brings structured learning and focused practice together to help you strengthen your knowledge, build confidence, and prepare effectively to clear the IBCLC certification examination in one go.
StudyIBCLC is an exam-focused learning initiative by StudyMEDIC, created for candidates working towards IBCLC certification.
Our IBCLC exam preparation approach brings together structured teaching, question practice, mock assessment, and flexible digital learning to help candidates build their understanding of lactation and breastfeeding care and approach the examination with confidence.
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are important members of the maternal-child health team specialising in breastfeeding care.
IBCLCs come from diverse backgrounds and work in different settings, but all meet rigorous eligibility requirements and pass an examination assessing knowledge in breastfeeding management. They work with families, policymakers, and communities to provide expert breastfeeding and lactation care and advance global public health.
To sit the IBCLC examination, candidates must meet eligibility requirements in three key areas:
Complete Health Sciences Education and Lactation-Specific Education. Candidates require 95 hours of lactation-specific education, including five hours focused on communication skills.
Complete the required lactation-specific clinical practice through one of three pathways.
Candidates must adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLCs.
For Recognised Health Professionals and Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellors, requiring 1,000 hours of lactation-specific clinical practice in an appropriate supervised setting within the five years before examination application.
Complete an accredited lactation academic programme that includes 300 hours of directly supervised lactation-specific clinical practice.
Complete a structured, pre-approved mentorship with an IBCLC, including 500 hours of directly supervised lactation-specific clinical practice.
The current IBCLC retest policy applies to examination applications beginning with the April 2026 administration:
The IBCLC examination consists of 175 multiple-choice questions and has a standard duration of four hours. The examination is divided into two parts. Part One contains independent questions, while Part Two consists primarily of questions associated with images and clinical scenarios. Once Part One is completed, candidates cannot return to it.
The examination is delivered through computer-based testing at testing centres worldwide, with Live Remote Proctoring also available for eligible candidates taking the examination in English or Spanish.
Each question has one correct answer, and there is no penalty for incorrect responses. The examination is based on the knowledge domains outlined in the official IBCLC Detailed Content Outline.
| Examination | Exam Dates |
| September 2026 | September 1–10, 2026 |
| March/April 2027 | March 23–April 1, 2027 |
| September 2027 | September 8–17, 2027 |
The IBCLC examination is offered twice each year. The March/April administration will be offered in English, while the September administration is scheduled across the IBCLC examination languages.
Candidates must first apply through the IBLCE online credential management system during the applicable examination application window. The application is selected according to the candidate’s chosen pathway.
Once the application is approved, candidates receive an Examination Authorisation Email containing the information required to schedule their examination appointment. Candidates should not attempt to schedule before receiving this email.
For test-centre appointments, candidates schedule directly with the third-party testing vendor using the information provided in the authorisation email. Scheduling promptly gives candidates a wider choice of available appointments.
Candidates taking the examination in English, French, or Spanish may also have the option of Live Remote Proctoring, subject to the applicable technical and environmental requirements.
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Meet our distinguished panel of StudyIBCLC mentors, experienced clinicians and proven educators, committed to supporting you at every step of your IBCLC journey.
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