At Lactation Education Resources, we’re committed to providing high-quality education that prepares you to become the best lactation consultant you can be. We’re writing today to share important information about changes happening with IBLCE’s Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) accreditation system and how LER is responding to support you through this transition.
TL;DR — What You Need to Know
- As of December 31, 2025, IBLCE is changing its accreditation process for all education providers who offer CERPs.
- As part of the policy revision, IBLCE has announced that courses designed to prepare candidates for initial IBCLC certification will no longer be eligible to award CERPs.
- At LER, these courses include the Lactation Consultant Training Program, the Core Lactation Consultant Course, and the Bridge Lactation Consultant Course.
- LER students who complete these courses after December 31, 2025, will receive a certificate of completion and will not receive CERPs.
- These courses are stillfully eligible to award the lactation training hours required for IBCLC exam eligibility. The absence of CERPs does not affect your ability to take the IBCLC exam.
The Detailed Version
Understanding IBLCE and CERPs
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®) is the independent, international certification body for the lactation consulting profession. Founded in 1985, IBLCE develops and administers the IBCLC examination and manages the credentialing process for over 38,000 IBCLCs practicing in 136 countries worldwide.
CERPs are the continuing education credits that IBCLCs need for recertification. To maintain their credential, IBCLCs must recertify every five years, either by retaking the IBCLC exam or by completing 75 CERPs (including specific categories for lactation-specific content, ethics, and related topics) along with clinical practice hours.
Preparing to Become an IBCLC —What This Change Means for You
It’s important to understand: If you are currently enrolled in LCTP, Core, or Bridge with the goal of meeting the lactation education requirement for IBCLC exam eligibility, his change will not affect your ability to use these courses to meet your goal in any way. The absence of CERPs does not affect your ability to sit for the IBCLC exam.
If you complete your course before December 31, 2025, you will still receive CERPs.
If you complete your course after December 31, 2025, you will receive nursing contact hours and a certificate of completion that fully meets IBLCE’s lactation education requirements (LCTP, or Core + Bridge). You simply will not receive CERPs, as IBLCE will no longer award them for initial IBCLC preparation courses. This policy applies to all education providers, not just LER.
Choosing LER means you’re studying with an organization recognized for quality. Our lactation consultant courses are approved or recognized by theLactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAARC)—the only body that reviews and endorses lactation education programs worldwide. LEAARC review is an important indicator of excellence and alignment with professional standards.
In short: your course, your hours, and your path to the IBCLC exam remain fully valid and on track.
- Our 95-hour course, Lactation Consultant Training Program (LCTP), is LEAARC approved
- Our 52-hour course, Core Lactation Consultant Course, is LEAARC recognized
- Our 45-hour course, Bridge Lactation Consultant Course, is LEARC recognized
What About Recertification CERPs?
IBLCE’s new policies also include changes to the process whereby continuing education courses are awarded CERPs, which are used by current IBCLCs for recertification. Here is the essential information:
- IBLCE has completely eliminated “long-term provider status” for all lactation education providers (which included LER) and replaced it with a “Preferred Provider Programme.” This change makes the process of obtaining CERPs approval from IBLCE for each course longer and more complex.
- LER plans to continue providing CERPs for the vast majority of our continuing education courses.
- After of December 31, 2025, there may be a brief gap in CERP availability for a very few select courses, due to the longer process at IBLCE. If you need CERPs for recertification and are currently enrolled in a course, you should plan to complete it by December 31, 2025.
- If you can’t complete your course by that deadline, you should reach out to our customer service team. We are here for you and will find a solution.
You can learn more about IBLCE’s changes to the CERPs process for continuing education courses and how LER is responding by reading this blog.
Our commitment to you:
IBLCE’s new CERPS policies represent a significant change in how continuing education is approved across the entire lactation education field.
While the administrative landscape is shifting, LER’s mission remains unchanged: to develop and deliver learning opportunities in lactation and breastfeeding skills from novice to expert, contributing to the health of mothers and infants by training breastfeeding supporters to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding.
We are committed to maintaining the high-quality, evidence-based, inclusive education you’ve come to expect from LER. Our team is working diligently to navigate this transition and ensure that you have access to the training you need to become an IBCLC, and the continuing education and CERPs you need to remain an IBCLC.
If you have questions or concerns about your specific situation, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer support team. We’re here to help you achieve your professional goals.