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Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™

Families deserve accessible, high-quality lactation support that empowers them to nourish and nurture their children with confidence. The Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ equips you with the foundational lactation knowledge to make a lasting difference in communities around the world.

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Why pursue the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™?

If you are interested in expanding your knowledge, enhancing or discovering new skills related to lactation, or supporting your community in a unique way, the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ is for you!

Expand Your Knowledge

Build practical, foundational knowledge in lactation, infant feeding, and early bonding. Benefit from the experience and expertise of diverse lactation support subject matter experts from across the globe.

Photo of lactation consultant's hands guiding a mother to bring her baby to breast and baby latching

Learn to Support with Compassion

Families need more than just information. Learn how to provide culturally informed, nonjudgmental support in both clinical and community settings.

Photo of smiling person in scrubs sitting with another person.

Enhance or Discover a New Role

Position yourself in a growing field in high demand. Expand your impact, complement your current role, or help to launch a new path in maternal and child health.

Photo of person holding newborn infant in a hospital blanket as smiling mother looks on

Become a Trusted Resource in Your Community

Make a difference by becoming a lactation ally for families navigating feeding choices, challenges, and transitions, especially in areas where access to care is limited.

Eligibility & Significance

The Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ is for individuals who wish to gain foundational evidence-based lactation knowledge and:

  • Have completed secondary education (high school diploma or equivalent)
  • Are 18 years of age or older
  • Are not current IBCLCs
  • Are fluent in English
  • Were not IBCLCs® whose credential became inactive after January 1, 2026

This Assessment-based Certificate programme trains participants to provide foundational infant feeding support and refer appropriately in a variety of international settings. It provides internationally relevant, evidence-based training so participants gain practical knowledge and confidence through web-based content provided by lactation support subject-matter experts from around the world.

The Certificate is awarded to participants who complete the education and demonstrate achievement of the intended learning outcomes related to lactation facilitation by achieving a passing standard on the summative assessment.

Award of the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ indicates that the certificate holder has achieved the intended foundational knowledge associated with the following domains:

  • Family and Culture: Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology
  • Development and Health
  • Pathology, Physiology, and Endocrinology
  • Clinical Skills

Certificate holders also are responsible for understanding the limits of their scope and referring clients when a client’s needs extend beyond foundational knowledge and must respectfully, efficiently, and appropriately refer clients to qualified resources, including an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) or other healthcare professionals.

Successful completion of the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ meets 50 hours of lactation-specific education valid toward IBCLC® programme eligibility. For more information on the IBCLC programme please visit the IBCLC Commission’s website.

The Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ has also been approved for 50 Nursing Contact Hours by the Virginia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Nursing contact hours will be awarded for the completion of this enduring activity until January 12, 2028. You must attend the full programme and complete the evaluation and summative assessment with a passing score to receive continuing nursing education credit.

The Assessment-based Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ programme was developed in conjunction with educational consultants and lactation support subject-matter experts in lactation support using a standardised framework rooted in credentialing best practices.

A role delineation study objectively identified the role of the certificate holder, including essential knowledge and skills. The subsequent systematic development of the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ Detailed Content Outline, education, and summative assessment therefore promotes industry-leading consistency and quality. The Assessment-based Certificate is distinct from certificates of attendance or certificates designed without this foundation.

An Assessment-based Certificate is awarded to participants who successfully demonstrate their knowledge by achieving the passing standard on a summative assessment.

Visit the Institute for Credentialing Excellence to learn more about the important differences between a certificate and a certification programme.

Photocollage of breastfeeding mothers and babies

Join our waitlist to be notified when registration opens for the next cohort of the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ programme.

What is the Certificate programme experience?

Intended Learning Outcomes

The Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ programme education provides participants with foundational knowledge in lactation facilitation. The participant will be exposed to key concepts, principles, terminology, and general practices relevant to the topics outlined below. 

  • Family and Culture: Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology
  • Development and Health
  • Pathology, Physiology, and Endocrinology
  • Clinical Skills

The target level of understanding is to be achieved through the education provided. The intended learning outcome of this training is to develop a basic understanding of these topics and to promote discernment as to when referral is necessary as the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ is not designed to train an individual for advanced expertise in lactation support, as in the case of the IBCLC®. However, successful completion of the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ is valid toward 50 hours of lactation-specific education that contribute to IBCLC programme eligibility.

Learning Journey

Earning the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ can be accomplished in six consecutive steps: Enrolment Application, Enrolment Approval, Education, Summative Assessment, Results, and Certificate*.

The Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ is valid five years from the date it is issued. To maintain the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™, certificate holders must renew their certificate every five years by completing the most up-to-date version of the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ education, successfully completing the then-current summative assessment, and meeting the passing standard.

*Certificate issuance is contingent upon successful achievement of the summative assessment passing standard.

Join our waitlist to be notified when a new cohort opens!

Learning Modules

The self-paced programme features seven learning modules and over 100 expert-led videos, offering diverse ways to acquire and apply knowledge. A professionally-designed final summative assessment measures mastery of learning objectives. The global subject-matter experts bring unique perspectives informed by extensive and diverse experience. Instructional styles vary, therefore offering you a rich, well-rounded learning experience. 

Lactation Support Subject Matter Experts

Headshot of Agnes Kamau
Agnes Kamau, MA, MFT, Kenya
Headshot of Rhona Sandiford
Rhona Sandiford, Breastfeeding Counsellor, Trinidad and Tobago
Vicky Tsang, Breastfeeding Peer Supporter, Hong Kong
Headshot of Isaac Wachira
Isaac Wachira, Registered Nutritionist/Dietician, Kenya
Headshot of Hope Jackson
Hope Jackson, RN, BSN, United States of America
Line art substitute for a headshot of Najla Alkuwari
Najla Alkuwari, Breastfeeding Educator, Qatar
Geographic distribution of subject matter experts

Summative Assessment

The summative assessment uses a professional standard-setting process led by lactation support subject-matter experts from the target audience to determine pass/fail criteria.

At the completion of the learning modules, you will be prompted to take the summative assessment. All participants must complete the summative assessment by the due date included in their programme registration.

  • Approximately 140 multiple-choice questions
  • 3 hours, timed and must be completed in one sitting
  • Closed book and without assistance
  • Please see the FAQs for system requirements

Pass/fail decisions from the summative assessment can be interpreted as signalling whether candidates have demonstrated a minimally qualified level of the knowledge and skills on the content delivered through the training modules and represented on the assessment. Scores and subscores for the assessment are not provided to avoid misinterpretation as being diagnostic of participants’ strengths or as for employment selection purposes.

You will receive a digital certificate approximately four weeks after receiving a passing summative assessment result. We understand that candidates are anxious to receive their results as soon as possible. To maximise fairness and quality, the assessment uses a professional standard-setting process to determine pass/fail criteria. Therefore, assessment results cannot be released instantly.

Other Resources

NameCertificate IDIssue DateExpiry Date
Abeer Haimur202600197/22/20267/21/2031
Agnes Wangui Kamau2026000667/22/20267/21/2031
Alaa Aljarboua20260037/22/20267/21/2031
Alexandra Dixon202600167/22/20267/21/2031
Alisa Dickinson202600157/22/20267/21/2031
Ana Karina Suazo Wildt202600507/22/20267/21/2031
Anna Fazekas202600177/22/20267/21/2031
Anna Sabirova202600427/22/20267/21/2031
Anne Seymour202600647/22/20267/21/2031
Ariadni Tzaneti2026000547/22/20267/21/2031
Ariana Calderone20260087/22/20267/21/2031
Ashley Ratzlaff202600397/22/20267/21/2031
Barbara Poppell202600617/22/20267/21/2031
Bayan Bashawri202600057/22/20267/21/2031
Cassy Martell202600347/22/20267/21/2031
Cindy Wan Yee Lau202600597/22/20267/21/2031
Cristina Silva202600477/22/20267/21/2031
Dana Hughes202600217/22/20267/21/2031
Darja Maksimova202600317/22/20267/21/2031
Denise Vasquez202600557/22/20267/21/2031
Devynne Heckman202600207/22/20267/21/2031
Elodie Warnier202600567/22/20267/21/2031
Ghufran Redwan Brisaly202600407/22/20267/21/2031
Hadeel Shabanah202600467/22/20267/21/2031
Ieva Grīnberga-Dērica202600187/22/20267/21/2031
Josephine Wandia Munene Karoki202600377/22/20267/21/2031
Ka Ying Chan2026000627/22/20267/21/2031
Kiara Leverson202600297/22/20267/21/2031
Kimberly Sennet202600457/22/20267/21/2031
Krystalyn Hope Jackson202600677/22/20267/21/2031
Lama Alamro20260017/22/20267/21/2031
Larisa Stevens202600497/22/20267/21/2031
Man Shan Yuen202600587/22/20267/21/2031
Margaret Schaefer202600447/22/20267/21/2031
Margot Trimoulet202600537/22/20267/21/2031
Maria Latsi202600257/22/20267/21/2031
Maria Leonidou2026000287/22/20267/21/2031
Mary Lavelle202600267/22/20267/21/2031
Mathilde Warnier202600577/22/20267/21/2031
Natalie Rodriguez202600417/22/20267/21/2031
Pui Yu Tsang202600707/22/20267/21/2031
Rebecca Anderton20260047/22/20267/21/2031
Rebecca Kerner202600237/22/20267/21/2031
Renee Patton202600387/22/20267/21/2031
Renett Clough202600117/22/20267/21/2031
Rhona Sandiford202600697/22/20267/21/2031
Sakshi Kapoor202600227/22/20267/21/2031
Sang Ayu Prabha Amandari Sutyandi202600517/22/20267/21/2031
Sara Szwacz202600527/22/20267/21/2031
Sarah Menard202600367/22/20267/21/2031
Seojin Lee202600277/22/20267/21/2031
Siona Margrett202600337/22/20267/21/2031
TaCora DeVore-Freeman202600137/22/20267/21/2031
Tsz Man Lau202600637/22/20267/21/2031
Valerie Lucas202600307/22/20267/21/2031
Yuen Ting Karen Choi202600107/22/20267/21/2031
Image of scope

The fee structure for the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ Complaint and Appeals Policy will be available when the next cohort opens.

In order to make the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ accessible to eligible participants, despite the wide variance in economic conditions around the world, the purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita metric is used as determined by international organisations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and used by a number of international NGOs. PPP takes into account the relative cost of living and the inflation rates of countries.

Pricing includes access to the education, required texts, and summative assessment.

The Centre is incorporated in the United States and therefore the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ programme is subject to the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations and guidance. In the instance that an individual indicates that their citizenship or residence or address is in a geographic area subject to these US regulations, the registration form will prevent registration until specific information is verified by staff. This may differ depending on OFAC communications regarding the country or geographic area of focus. Please note that OFAC regulations are highly dynamic and subject to change.

Photocollage of breastfeeding mothers and babies

Don't miss your next opportunity to earn the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™! Join our waitlist to be notified when registration opens for the next cohort.

FAQs

Who is Eligible to Earn the Certificate?

You can earn the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ if you have other lactation credentials; however, you may not earn the certificate if you are a current IBCLC®

.

Yes, the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ is designed to provide foundational lactation knowledge. No other lactation credentials are necessary to enrol.

No, the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ programme is offered exclusively through the Global Centre in Lactation Training (GCLT)®. The programme includes the education, required texts, and the assessment.

The Global Centre for Lactation Training (GCLT)® does not assess the eligibility of IBCLC® candidates. The Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ does provide 50 hours of lactation-specific education that is acceptable for partial IBCLC programme eligibility. For information on how to become an IBCLC, please refer to the IBCLC Commission.

Credential

A. Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™



B. IBCLC®

Credential Type

Assessment-based Certificate

Professional Certification

Eligibility

  • Completion of secondary education
  • Prior experience as a breastfeeding advocate
  • English fluency
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Non-IBCLC
  • 14 health science courses
  • 90 hours of lactation specific education
  • 5 hours of communication skills education
  • 300-1000 hours of lactation-specific clinical experience*

Hours of Lactation Specific Education

50 hours included

95 hours required

Credentialing Organisation

The Global Centre for Lactation Training (GCLT)® (an affiliate of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners®)

The IBCLC Commission (an affiliate of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners®)

Scope of Practice

Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ Scope of Practice
Note: The Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ programme provides foundational knowledge and the scope is therefore narrower than the IBCLC® Scope of Practice.

IBCLC® Scope of Practice

Credential Renewal

Every five years via the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ programme.

Every five years through continuing education or examination.

No, the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ programme is not designed for IBCLCs. It is not approved for CERPs and cannot be used in an IBCLC recertification application.

For information on how to become an IBCLC, please refer to the IBCLC Commission website.

What Are the Programme Details?

Visit the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ registration site. If registration is currently open, you will be able to enter your information to determine if you are eligible to register.

If registration is not currently open, you will be invited to add your name to the registration wait list. Individuals who add their names to the wait list will receive notification when registration opens.

The education takes approximately 50 hours to complete. You may wish to review educational materials before taking the assessment. There are three hours allotted for the assessment. You may complete the programme at your own pace; however, all components of the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ programme must be complete before the final date the assessment is available.

You may take your assessment as soon as you are ready, after you have completed all the coursework. You will take the assessment online, in one sitting, and may take it in the comfort of your home, or whatever location you desire, if you have the appropriate internet connection and other system requirements described below.

The assessment is closed book. You may not refer to any materials, texts, notes, online resources, or any other materials or individuals during the assessment. Please ensure that you are well-prepared and familiar with the content before starting the assessment.

The passing standard for the assessment is determined through a professional standard-setting process led by lactation support subject-matter experts from the target audience.

The assessment uses a professional standard-setting process to determine pass/fail criteria. Therefore, assessment results cannot be released instantly. Timing of results release are available within your registration information.

If you successfully pass the assessment, you will receive a digital certificate approximately four weeks after receiving your summative assessment results.

The Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ pilot programme is currently offered in English only. Please note that the Centre uses British English (UK) in its products and publications, including the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™.

How Can I Use My Certificate?

You will receive a digital certificate approximately four weeks after receiving a passing summative assessment result. You will receive instructions about how to download your digital certificate.

In addition, a current public directory of certificate holders is available on the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ website.

Your digital certificate allows you to share on social media, add your credential to your LinkedIn profile, download and/or print your certificate, and add your credential to your email signature.

Your Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ is valid for five years from the date it is issued.

Certificate holders who let their certificate lapse will become inactive and will be eligible to reinstate their certificate by completing the most up-to-date course for the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ education, successfully completing the summative assessment, and achieving a passing standard.

To maintain the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™, certificate holders must renew their certificate every five years by completing the most up-to-date version of the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ education, successfully completing the then-current summative assessment, and meeting the passing standard.

Applicants for certificate renewal may not have had their certificate recalled or nullified previously pursuant to the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ policies and procedures.

Your Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ is valid for five years from the date it is issued. This renewal cadence allows for sufficient time for the certificate holder to practise and reinforce knowledge while permitting the Centre to monitor and adjust for relevant changes in lactation.

If you pass the assessment and are awarded the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™, you may publicise yourself as a certificate holder. You may not imply that your achievement of the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ constitutes a professional certification or use any initials or designations other than the example provided below.

Maria Jones
Holder of Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ from
The Global Centre for Lactation Training (GCLT)®

An individual who holds a Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ can provide basic lactation support. Situations that may be appropriate for a certificate holder include, but are not limited to:

  • Prenatal breastfeeding preparation
  • Basic latch and positioning support
  • Basic establishment and maintenance of milk supply
  • Breastfeeding initiation
  • Breast milk expression, storage, and handling
  • Identifying support networks
  • Basic breastfeeding of multiples or tandem breastfeeding
  • Complementary feeding and mixed feeding in the healthy child
  • Basic interpretation of WHO growth charts
  • Weaning
  • Basic use of lactation tools, equipment, and technology
  • Recognition of physiology, pathology, and other situations that will require referral to an IBCLC® or other appropriate healthcare provider due to the limited scope of the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™.

What Are the Technical Requirements?

  • The ability to install programmes on your computer directly
  • A dual-core processor
  • Operating System: Windows 10 (Version 1803 or newer), Windows 11, or MacOS 11 (Big Sur) or newer
  • Memory: 4 GB minimum (8 GB recommended) and at least 200 MB of free hard disk space
  • Minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768
  • Stable broadband connection (5 Mbps minimum)
  • Desktop: Latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari
  • Mobile: Latest version of Safari or Google Chrome in Apple iOS/iPadOS or latest version of Google Chrome in Android OS 6 or later
  • JavaScript must be enabled. Font downloads must be enabled.

Yes, our learning management supports the latest versions of JAWS, NVDA, Narrator in Edge, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.

Educational content can be accessed on a mobile device with the following minimum system requirements: Latest version of Safari or Google Chrome in Apple iOS/iPadOS or latest version of Google Chrome in Android OS 6 or later. JavaScript and font downloads must be enabled.

For general questions or technical assistance related to the education, please email the Centre location that serves you. Please note that this email account is not continuously monitored.

For technical assistance related to the assessment, please use the contact information provided within the assessment system.

Photocollage of breastfeeding

While the achievement of the Certificate in Lactation Facilitation™ is valid toward 50 hours of lactation-specific education required for IBCLC programme eligibility, it is not required to pursue IBCLC® certification.

Educational offerings by the Global Centre for Lactation Training (GCLT)® are optional and are not the sole way to pursue IBCLC® certification.

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