Become a Certified Lactation Educator
Purpose of CLE Program
The purpose of the CAPPA lactation educator program is to provide childbirth professionals comprehensive training in breastfeeding education. When a candidate completes the certification program they will be qualified to teach, support, and educate the public on breastfeeding and related issues. When all requirements have been satisfactorily completed, candidates will be issued the CAPPA credential, Certified Lactation Educator. For more information on the trademark of the CAPPA CLE, please click here.
This program does not issue Lactation Consultant status, and does not qualify one to issue medical advice, diagnose medical conditions for mother or baby, or to prescribe treatment or medication. Please read the lactation educator position paper and the CLE CLE scope of practice
Currently CAPPA CLEs work in many fields providing support and advocacy for families across the United States and internationally. CAPPA CLEs can be found teaching breastfeeding classes in hospitals and private settings, as WIC peer counselors, as educators on hospital postpartum floors, working as breast pump rental technicians and in breastfeeding support stores, and facilitating breastfeeding and postpartum support groups - just to name a few. Many of our CAPPA CLEs also use this certification to round out their labor and postpartum doula services and knowledge to ensure they are providing the highest quality services for breastfeeding support.
Overview
In order for candidates to be eligible for CAPPA certification they must sign and agree to the CAPPA philosophy, code of conduct, scope of practice, and grievance policy. We reserve the right to withhold certification to those candidates that do not meet the requirements set forth. We also reserve the right to withhold certification based on all contact with candidates for certification, including, but not limited to phone calls, e-mails, and certification materials. An understanding of CAPPA standards of professionalism, our scope of practice, and code of conduct must be demonstrated by candidates at all times and in all communications. Failure to demonstrate an understanding of the aforementioned may result in CAPPA withholding certification. This is rare.
While 92% of candidates do obtain certification, CAPPA cannot guarantee certification will be obtained by entering our program. In the event a candidate fails to pass certification requirements, the candidate has up to one year to complete the failed portions of the certification requirements. There will be no further processing fees. The candidate who exceeds one year to complete the aforementioned portions of certification may be asked to re-enter the certification program and may incur additional fees.
Please allow approximately six to eight weeks for CAPPA to grade and process your certification materials* once we receive them. CAPPA receives a high volume of certification requests, and each certification request is given individual attention. Upon successful completion of any of the CAPPA certification programs, you will receive a CAPPA name tag and a certificate. CAPPA certified lactation educators may use the letters "CLE" after their names.
You must be at least 18 years old to certify with CAPPA.
* Please submit all materials together at one time. When submitting your certification materials, please do not send originals.
Traditional Certification
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- Be a member of CAPPA. All CAPPA certified professionals are required to maintain continuous membership. A lapse in your CAPPA membership will result in a $50.00 reinstatement fee and all overdue membership dues must be paid. CAPPA certified professionals who let their membership lapse more than 120 days must pay a $100.00 reinstatement fee plus all past due membership dues.
- Enter certification program by purchasing the lactation educator certification packet, available in our
CAPPA India. You can also purchase your certification packet at the training. - Read four books from the required reading list.
- Write a one-page personal essay on why you want to be a certified lactation educator.
- Submit a detailed CV or resume.
- Complete the pre-workshop study guide and submit it to your trainer.
- Attend a CAPPA-approved lactation educator training.
- Attend four La Leche League or Nursing Mother's Council meetings.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from a certified lactation consultant, certified lactation educator, certified childbirth educator, or registered or licensed health-care professional.
- Submit a copy of your class outline, curriculum, and any handouts. (Form I in your certification packet.)
- Attend a breastfeeding consultation as an observer/volunteer with an IBCLC or CLC for a minimum of four hours.
- Review three current research studies (study published in the past 4 years). Write a two-page review of each study. Compare and contrast two of the studies and write a comparison study of at least 500 words.
- Create and submit to CAPPA a local resource list for breastfeeding families.
- Pass the test on lactation topics included in your packet. The test is an open book test and the answer sheet must be submitted with your final certification. An 85% passing grade is required.
If you need help at any point, please contact the CAPPA – India Executive Director
Distance Certification
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- Be a member of CAPPA. All CAPPA certified professionals are required to maintain continuous membership. A lapse in your CAPPA membership will result in a $50.00 reinstatement fee and all overdue membership dues must be paid. CAPPA certified professionals who let their membership lapse more than 120 days must pay a $100.00 reinstatement fee plus all past due membership dues.
- Enter certification program by purchasing the lactation educator distance certification packet, available in our
CAPPA India. - Read five books from the required reading list.
- Write a one-page personal essay on why you want to be a certified lactation educator.
- Submit a detailed CV or resume.
- Complete the study guide and submit it to CAPPA.
- Attend a local breastfeeding education class, and write a two page (minimum) review.
- Attend a breastfeeding consultation as an observer/volunteer with an IBCLC or CLC for a minimum of four hours. Write a one-page summary on what you observed.
- Attend four La Leche League or Nursing Mother's Council meetings.
- Choose two breastfeeding topics and complete a research paper on each. A minimum of 1,500 words each is required. Any topic that involves breastfeeding is acceptable.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from a certified lactation consultant, certified lactation educator, certified childbirth educator, or registered or licensed health-care professional.
- Submit a copy of your class outline, curriculum, and any handouts.
- Take and pass the online breastfeeding class offered through CAPPA. This course is the web-based 18 Hour Breastfeeding Course available through Jones and Bartlett Publishers. You must submit a proof of purchase of this course and a passing grade when submitting your final certification materials.
- Review three current studies (published in the past four years). Write a two-page review of each study. Compare and contrast two of the studies, and write a comparison study of at least 500 words.
- Create and submit a local resource list for breastfeeding families.
- Pass the test on lactation topics included in your packet. The test is an open book test and the answer sheet must be submitted with your final certification. An 85% passing grade is required.
If you need help at any point, please contact the CAPPA – India Executive Director
Accelerated Certification
In order to enter this program, you must meet one of these requirements. Copies of licenses/certifications required.
- Be a currently licensed RN with at least one year lactation experience working with mothers and babies who are breastfeeding. Proof required in the form of a letter from nurse manager or administrator stating nursing experience and specific breastfeeding support.
- Be a La Leche League Leader with at least two years of experience.
- Be a certified childbirth educator who has taught a minimum of 12 breastfeeding classes. Proof required in the form of class rosters and/or evaluations and CCCE certificate.
If you meet one of the above requirements, you must also meet the following requirements to obtain certification:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- Be a member of CAPPA. All CAPPA certified professionals are required to maintain continuous membership. A lapse in your CAPPA membership will result in a $50.00 reinstatement fee and all overdue membership dues must be paid. CAPPA certified professionals who let their membership lapse more than 120 days must pay a $100.00 reinstatement fee plus all past due membership dues.
- Enter certification program by purchasing the lactation educator certification packet, available in our
CAPPA India. - Read three books from the required reading list.
- Write a one-page personal essay on why you want to be a certified lactation educator.
- Submit a detailed CV or resume.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from a certified lactation consultant, certified lactation educator, certified childbirth educator, or registered or licensed health-care professional.
- Complete the pre-workshop study guide and submit it to your trainer.
- Attend a CAPPA-approved lactation educator training.
- Submit a copy of your class outline, curriculum, and any handouts.
- Create and submit a local resource list for breastfeeding families.
- Pass the test on lactation topics included in your packet. The test is an open book test and the answer sheet must be submitted with your final certification. An 85% passing grade is required.
If you need help at any point, please contact the CAPPA – India Executive Director