Recertification By CERPs

Certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is for a period of five years, and is renewable by recertification at five year intervals. Initial certification is effective from the date of notification until the end of October, five years after you first passed the exam. The date certification expires is shown on the IBCLC's certificate. Before the end of this five-year period, the IBCLC must recertify, either by passing the exam again, or through a recertification application showing at least 75 Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs).

Ten years after last passing the exam (and five years after CERP recertification), IBCLCs are required to pass the exam again for recertification. Periodic recertification by exam has been shown to be the most reliable method of ensuring that an individual has maintained professional competence. The IBLCE has determined that this is the best way to protect consumers.

An IBCLC who does not recertify must not use the title “IBCLC” or represent her/himself as an IBCLC, after the date certification expired. A person who is not currently certified as an IBCLC should not use misleading words such as “passed the IBLCE exam in 1990” unless it is otherwise clear that the person is no longer certified. 

IBCLCs are expected to take responsibility for maintaining their competence, and for keeping their knowledge and skills up-to-date, by participating in continuing education. To obtain 75 CERPs for recertification, the IBCLC needs to average 15 per year, or approximately 2½ days of continuing education per year. To enhance learning opportunities, IBCLCs are encouraged to earn their CERPs from a variety of sources. 

What is a CERP?
CERPs are Continuing Education Recognition Points, instructional units defined by the IBLCE for professional education that is specific and appropriate for IBCLCs. CERPs are earned by IBCLCs who complete an educational program; one (1) CERP being equivalent to one (1) hour educational time. L CERPs are for Lactation topics, E CERPs are for Ethics topics, R CERPs are for Related topics.

IBCLCs must accrue a minimum of 75 CERPs in order to recertify, five years after passing the IBLCE certification exam. The designation, “x CERPs allocated by IBLCE" with an IBLCE Approval number, signifies that a program is relevant to the learning needs of IBCLCs. CERPs must be approved by IBLCE, not simply by Program Providers themselves.

CERPs are also useful to anyone who may decide to sit for the IBLCE certification exam in the following three years. To meet eligibility requirements, exam candidates must show evidence of breastfeeding-specific continuing education. While CERPs are not specifically required for exam applications, CERP certificates are the easiest way for candidates to provide evidence of participation. 

Many ways to earn CERPs
To recertify by CERPs, an IBCLC must show documentation of 75 or more CERPs, including at least 50 L CERPs and 5 E CERPs. These CERPs can be earned in a variety of ways:

• » attendance at conferences, seminars, in-service sessions, professional gatherings or structured discussion sessions with colleagues
• » completion of an independent study module or distance education
• » preparation and presentation of a professional paper
• » published professional writing, including research
• » completion of coursework relevant to the work of an IBCLC

How many CERPs Do I need?
IBCLCs are required to have a total of 75 CERPs including

What is an L CERP?
Category L (lactation) CERPs can be earned from professional education which is Lactation-specific. The topic should have direct application to one or more of the following criteria:

• » breastfeeding and human lactation
• » the breastfeeding dyad and family
• » addresses skills used by lactation consultants
• » based on, or imparts, relevant biochemical, physiological or psychological research in the field of lactation

Examples of appropriate L topics include:

• » Breast anatomy
• » Clinical skills for IBCLCs
• » Clinical documentation for IBCLCs
• » Breastfeeding dyad & family
• » Legal aspects of IBCLC practice
• » Breastfeeding management
• » The IBCLC as a member of the health care team
• » Breastfeeding research
• » Nutrition (lactation-related)

What is an E CERP?
IBCLCs are required to have at least 5 CERPs that address professional Ethics within the 75 CERP total. Conference and Seminar Organisers are encouraged to include sessions on ethics topics in the program - anything from a 30 minute session (0.5 CERPs) to a full day program on ethics and LC practice (5 CERPs).  Online and distance education (Independent Study Modules) have developed modules to meet this requirement.  Some ideas for sessions are suggested below.
Examples of appropriate E CERPs topics include:

• » Practice Ethics for Lactation Consultants
• » Case Studies and Ethics
• » The Patient Code of Rights
• » Ethics in breastfeeding research: from personal data to publication
• » Informed consent; obtaining consent (tenet 11, 22, 23)
• » Conflict of Interest (tenet 5)
• » Confidentiality (tenet 23)
• » Ethics of lactation equipment sales and rentals (tenet 17)
• » Knowing your limits; when to refer (tenet 9)
• » The WHO International Code and Health Workers (tenet 24)
• » The Dilemma of Formula Company Sponsorship (tenet 24)
• » Ethics in relation to mental health and abuse (tenet 15)
• » Human rights and infant feeding choice
• » Breastfeeding and anti-discrimination law
• » Dealing with a colleague whose practice is not based on scientific principles,
• » Current research and information (tenet 7)
• » Falsifying CERPs or exam eligibility records (tenet 14)
• » When is it your responsibility to blow the whistle? (tenets 13 and 22)
• » Copyright and intellectual property (tenet 25)

What is an R CERP?
Category R (related) CERPs can be earned from professional education which is Related to the work of a lactation consultant, but is not specifically in the area of breastfeeding. A topic in Category R should enable the Lactation Consultant to better provide health care for clients. and will usually be covered by the IBLCE Exam Blueprint. University coursework in appropriate subjects may qualify for R CERPs.
Examples of appropriate R topics include:

• » General anatomy
• » Infant growth and development
• » Research methods and statistics
• » Cultural differences in health practices
• » Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• » Postpartum depression
• » Counselling or communications skills
• » Adult education principles
• » Family dynamics
• » Nutrition (if not lactation-specific)
• » Complementary therapy (overview session)

Independent Study Modules
Independent Study Modules are learning packages which the participant can study at home and then submit a post-test for independent evaluation. The module may be written material, audiotape, videotape, or electronic media, and must be based on current referenced material. For example: audio or videotapes from conferences, with accompanying study guide and bibliography or copied references publication written specifically for continuing education purposes, publication for which study guide and questions were written later, an interactive learning experience such as a CD-ROM program.
Independent Study Modules eligible for approval for CERP credit have the following characteristics:

• » The primary focus of the module is lactation-specific (i.e. eligible for L CERPs) 
• » The module includes written criteria and learning objectives.
• » The module includes clear instructions about all steps in the process of completing the ISM and getting the CERP credit.
• » The bibliography reflects current professional resources, with primary references preferred.
• » There is a post-test and it is objective, with a pass-fail standard, e.g. multiple choice and true-false questions. A blank answer sheet is attached to the module.
• » An evaluation tool is included, so that the user has a means of providing feedback about the module. 

To be accredited for CERPs, the ISM must be reviewed by 2 or more content experts prior to pre-test by a minimum of 5 IBCLCs to establish time allocation and test validity. (Exception: where the module is approved for University credit points, these can be used to establish the anticipated time a student would take). ISMs are accredited with one CERP is per one hour of time spent completing the module, as determined during pre-testing. CERP accreditation of the ISM is for two years, but it may be reaccredited after revision. ISM Providers issue CERP certificates and notify IBLCE of CERPs awarded.

Additional CERPs for giving presentations
When you are the presenter of an education session has been awarded CERPs or that is eligible for L, E or R CERPs, you earn the CERPs as if you were in the audience. You also earn the same number of CERPs again (i.e. double) as partial acknowledgement of the time spent on preparation of the presentation.

Eg: if you present a 1 hour lecture on “Breastfeeding and the Premature Baby”, you and those in attendance can earn 1 L CERPs. As the presenter, you also earn an additional 1 L CERPs for preparation time (= 2L CERPs total).

N.B. You can only claim the presentation and preparation CERPs once, even if you repeat the session.

To receive credit for CERPs for presentation preparation, show separately on your application the actual session time and the additional CERPs you earned for presenting. Attach a copy of the program showing your name as presenter highlighted, or similar proof. If your session was part of a longer program that you attended, such as a conference, claim the CERPs for the whole program and then the additional CERPs for session you presented.
Please note: CERPs are earned for professional education only. Teaching antenatal classes or breastfeeding classes for mothers does not earn CERPs.

CERPs for Academic Activities
The following activities are eligible for CERP credit as follows:

• » PhD dissertation in lactation will earn 75 L CERPs. (Official transcript and verification of completion by mentor required.)
• » Masters Thesis in lactation will earn 45 L CERPs. (Official transcript and verification of completion by mentor required.)
• 
  If either of the above is not in lactation, but in a related field, a maximum of 20 R CERPs will be awarded.
  
  
• » (Primary author) Article in peer reviewed journal or chapter in published book for health care professionals - up to 15 CERPs.
• » (Primary author) Article in publication for professionals or hospital protocol/policy (with bibliography) - may earn up to 5 CERPs.
• » Poster presentation at professional conference (with bibliography) - may earn up to 5 CERPs.

What is NOT a CERP
Clinical work as an IBCLC, and antenatal/postnatal classes for mothers are not professional education, and are not eligible for CERPs. Activities such as private study, reading journals, watching videos (without a group discussion) are not eligible for CERPs.

Examples of topics that are not appropriate for any CERPs include:

• » Computer skills
• » Complementary therapy (instructional program)
• » Motivational sessions
• » Specialised midwifery skills, e.g. foetal monitoring

Clinical work, preparing a hospital for Baby Friendly accreditation and classes for mothers are not professional education, and are not eligible for CERPs.

IBCLCs can not claim CERPs for programs organised by individuals or companies that manufacture or distribute products within the scope of the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes; nor for programs where these companies or company personnel had input into the choice of speakers or the content of the presentations.

If you have any concerns about your CERPs or recertification please contact the Regional Director at RD@iblce.edu.au