This page will provide a detailed directory of the most recognized Lactation Training Programs available, most of which offer certification or a certificate. The programs that are exclusively available online will be listed first in alphabetical order. The programs that are available only in-person and/or combination (requiring in-person and online components) will be listed next. Some programs offer exclusively online options or entirely in-person options – in this case, the programs will be listed twice in both categories. Tuition prices are current as of the time the reviews and program descriptions were published – please be advised prices can change – so check with program regarding current cost. Books materials are usually an additional cost.

I hope to expand to include more international options in the future. If you are aware of any more that exist – please let me know. But for those of us abroad, the online programs are available internationally! Most listed will count towards some or all of the 90 hours lactation education requirement set forth by the IBCLCE (at least through 2016, then this may change). Each program has a different approach, ranging from self-paced to deadline driven – information is briefly detailed under each program. If a word is teal, it means it’s hyperlinked and will take you to that program’s site. Let me know if I’m missing any programs and I’ll gladly add them to the directory.

If you have completed one of these programs or another lactation training program that isn’t listed here, PLEASE consider writing a review. You can write it anonymously or use your name – whatever you prefer. You can access the Review Form here. Hearing others’ real experiences and reflections will be assist other aspiring lacties decide which courses and/or training programs best suit their individual needs. As we all know, finding the right lactation training program can be a confusing, complicated process! 

ONLINE LACTATION TRAINING PROGRAMS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE 

These programs listed below are accessible worldwide as long as you have internet!

Arizona State University (ASU) offers the Lactation Educator Course

• Completely online – assignments self-paced, entire course given over a period of approximately 1.5 months
• See here for dates, registration and cost
• Course Description
• Discounts given for ASU students and groups of 4+
• Class sizes are limited, so sign-up fast
• Lactation Educator Certificate (provided after online exam is passed)
• CEs available
• Tuition:
  • $325 per person for 1-3 people from the same institution/agency
  • $300 per person for 4-10 people from the same institution/agency
  • $125 per ASU student
  • $25 additional fee to receive continuing nursing education (CNE) contact hours
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

Arizona State University (ASU) also offers the Clinical Lactation Management Course

• Prerequisite: ASU’s Lactation Educator Course or other pre-­approved 45‐hour basic lactation course
• Completely online – assignments self-paced, entire course given over a period of approximately 1.5 months
• See here for dates, registration and cost
• Discounts given for ASU students and groups of 4+
• Class sizes are limited, so sign-up fast
• Clinical Lactation Management Certificate (provided after online exam is passed)
• Course provides 52 hours towards the IBCLCE 90 hour lactation education requirement and also provides L-CERPs
• Tuition:
  • $345 per person for 1-3 people from the same institution/agency
  • $300 per person for 4 or more from the same institution/agency.
  • Note: Each person must use an individual email address when registering.
  • $145 per ASU student
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

Childbirth International  offers the Breastfeeding Counselor Training Program

• Available online around the world
• Self-paced, no time limit (usually takes 10-15 months)
• For course, you’re assigned a trainer who serve as your mentor and review your assignments
• Course Syllabus
• Course information packet (FAQs, etc.)
• Part of course requirement is to support at least 8 breastfeeding mothers for a minimum of 30 hours
• Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC) Certification (does not expire)
• Program offers 219 lactation-specific hours, more than fulfilling the IBCLCE 90 hour lactation education requirement
• Tuition: $810 (payment plan available)
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

Health e-Learning offers The BreastEd Lactation Studies Program 

• Covers 10 breastfeeding-related topics over 120 hours
• Completely on-line
• Offers unlimited 1 year access to entire program or you can enroll in 1 class at a time (for a 1 month period)
• See here for description of program
• Does not offer a credential but does offer a certificate of completion when you’ve finished the program
• Fulfills IBCLCE 90 hour lactation education requirement
• Tuition: $129 per course or $1,290 for all 10 courses
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

Lactation Education Resources (LER) offers the Lactation Consultant Training Program – there are a few different options – all are completely online and allow full access for 1 year (although most complete in 2-4 months).

1) Lactation Consultant Training Program Enriched: a 90 hour course ($975) that fulfills the entire IBLCE required 90 hour lactation  education requirement, grants 86 L-CERPs, 4 E-CERPs, 90 Nursing Contact Hours and 90 CPEUs

2) Lactation Consultant Training Program Core Phase I: a 45 hour course ($645) that fulfills 45 of the IBLCE required 90 hour lactation education requirement, grants 45 L-CERPs, 45 Nursing Contact Hours and 45 CPEUs

3) Lactation Consultant Training Program Core Phase II: a 45 hour course ($595) that is designed for those who’ve already taken a 45 credit comprehensive lactation education course and need an additional 45 hours to qualify for the IBLCE. This course fulfills 45 of the required 90 hour IBLCE lactation education requirement or grants 41 L-CERPs, 4 E-CERPs, 45 Nursing Contact Hours and 45 CPEUs

• Confused? Don’t know which program to take? See the Course Syllabus for a comparison of the different options offered
•  Scope of practice for a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist
• Breastfeeding Specialist Certificate™ is awarded at the completion of these programs
• Certification good for 5 years
• “Bundles Lactation Classes” – offering CERPs and Nursing Contact Hours ($179-219)
• “Clinical Skills Workshop Online”  ($195)
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

Are you already a nurse? LER also offers a Breastfeeding Resource Nurse Online course

• Completely online
• 45 Nursing Contact Hours, L-CERPs and CPEUs awarded
• Certified Breastfeeding Specialist™ credential is awarded for completion of this program
• Tuition: $645

*LER also offers group discounts! Call Vergie at (443) 203-8553 or email: programdirector@lactationtraining.com

University of California San Diego (UCSD) Extension offers the Lactation Educator Counselor Training Program

• Program available completely online and in-person on-site (your choice) – offered around 20 times annually
• See here for program description, certification, FAQs, etc.
• Grants 45 hours towards IBCLCE’s 90 hour lactation education requirement, 4 CE units in Reproductive Medicine BRN/RD 45 CE hrs
• Lactation Educator Counselor Certificate is awarded at completion of the program
• Tuition: $695 (in-person and online)
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

*UCSD Extension also offers a Clinical Training for Lactation Consultants Program. You can find it here along with listings of similar clinical lactation programs.

PROGRAMS THAT OFFER IN-PERSON and/or ONLINE (COMBINATION) TRAINING

Arizona State University (ASU) offers the Lactation Educator Course

• See here for dates, registration and cost
• Course Description
• Discounts given for ASU students and groups of 4+
• Class sizes are limited, so sign-up fast
• Lactation Educator Certificate (provided after online exam is passed)
• CEs available
• This course is also offered completely online – assignments self-paced, entire course given over a period of approximately 1.5 months
• Tuition:
  • $325 per person for 1-3 people from the same institution/agency
  • $300 per person for 4-10 people from the same institution/agency
  • $125 per ASU student
  • $25 additional fee to receive continuing nursing education (CNE) contact hours
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

Arizona State University (ASU) also offers the Clinical Lactation Management Course

• Prerequisite: ASU’s Lactation Educator Course or other pre-­approved 45‐hour basic lactation course
• See here for dates, registration and cost
• Discounts given for ASU students and groups of 4+
• Class sizes are limited, so sign-up fast
• Clinical Lactation Management Certificate (provided after online exam is passed)
• Course provides 52 hours towards the IBCLCE 90 hour lactation education requirement and also provides L-CERPs
• This course is also offered completely online – assignments self-paced, entire course given over a period of approximately 1.5 months
• Tuition:
  • $345 per person for 1-3 people from the same institution/agency
  • $300 per person for 4 or more from the same institution/agency.
  • Note: Each person must use an individual email address when registering.
  • $145 per ASU student
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

Breastfeeding Outlook offers the 90-Hour Comprehensive Lactation Course

• Program consists of a 4 day in-person seminar in select USA locations. Participants must complete 60 hours of preparation (via webcasts) and homework BEFORE seminar begins, most of which can be done online.
• Course Brochure
• Course details & policies
• Course location & dates
• FAQs
• Fulfills IBCLCE 90 hour lactation education requirement, awards 90 L-CERPs, 90 ANCC contact hours, and 27.5 CPEs at Level II for CDRs.
• See here for details on the Felix Biancuzzo Memorial Scholarship
• Offers Certificate of Achievement at end of course
• Additional online “self-learning” & CERP packages offered – see site for details and costs
• Tuition: Early-bird registration: $999, Regular registration: $1099
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

California Advanced Lactation Institute (CALI) offers the Comprehensive Lactation Internship Program (CLIP) & “Lactation Educator” hours

• In-person – meets 10 times over a period of 6 months in Bakersfield, CA
• Each session covers 9 hours of content
• Fulfills IBCLCE 90 hour lactation education requirement, awards 90 L-CERPs
• Tuition: $990 for all 9 classes and 90 hours
• If you only need 45 hours towards the IBCLC exam, then CALI allows you to attend the first 5 sessions for $495. Upon completion of these 5 sessions, you will be qualified to refer to yourself as a “Lactation Educator”
• If you just want (or need) just 9 hours, you have the option of attending 1 session day only – earning you a certificate of attendance and corresponding continuing education units (CEUs) for the day. This option will cost $99. If you prefer to attend a day’s education without earning CEUs, the cost is only $45, which covers instruction, lunch, and learning materials.
• Program Brochure: includes pricing, dates of instruction, application process and additional program details
• Required reading materials provided to interns as part of program cost
• The instructors at CALI are very much willing to work with your individual case and needs, so don’t hesitate to contact CALI with your questions: CALactationInstitute@yahoo.com
• If you are also in need of clinical hours and/or help in finding a clinical site, as a CLIP student, CALI will assist you in finding a clinical site that’s right for you. If you cannot find one, CALI will provide you one in their Baby Cafe – a drop-in center that provides parents with professional lactation care.
• See here for CALI faculty bios
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

CAPPA offers the Lactation Educator 20 Hour Training

• Training occurs over an intense 3 day in-person seminar
• Each seminar taught by a Certified CAPPA Faculty Member (differs depending on location)
• See here for location, dates and prices of Lactation Educator training
• See sample Agenda for an example of the 3 day workshop’s schedule
• Sample course description
• Sample course brochure
• Contact individual CAPPA Trainers if you or your institution are interested in hosting a group Lactation Educator Training Seminar
• Provides 21.5 L-CERPs
• This course fulfills the prereq for CAPPA’s Certified Lactation Educator Training (see below)
• Tuition: Costs vary depending on trainer and location – usually around $400
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

CAPPA also offers the Certified Lactation Educator Training

• Combination of in-person 3 day 20 hour Lactation Educator Training (prereq) and online training through CAPPA Academy
• Roles, Scope of Practice and Benefits of a CAPPA Certified Lactation Educator
• CLE Program FAQs
• CAPPA Academy offers different certification tracks:
  • Traditional Certification
  • Accelerated Certification
  • Distance Certification (this training is all done online) – 20 CEUs offered
• Recertification is required every 3 years
• Tuition: $495+ books and cost of Lactation Educator 20 Hour Training (usually around $400)
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

Healthy Children’s Center for Breastfeeding offers the Lactation Counselor Training Course

• In-person 5 day program, offered in USA and internationally
• Upcoming training dates and locations 
• Program FAQs
• What is CLC?
• What is a CLC? (Video)
• Certified Lactation Counselor®, (CLC) certification awarded after passing final exam and completing program
• Certification is good for 3 years and renewable by completing 18 CE hours, see here for more information.
• Training offers 45 hours towards the IBCLCE 90 hour lactation education requirement, 45 L-CERPs, CPEs and Nursing contact hours; 4.5 CEUs for CNMs
•  Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

Lactation Education Consultants offers the Certified Lactation Specialist Course (CLSC)

• Course consists of a 5 day in-person training workshop in select USA locations
• See the 2015 schedule for locations, course dates/times and cost
• Topical Outline of CLSC training program
• See chart for FAQs and comparison to similar lactation programs
• Provides 45 hours of lactation education towards IBCLC exam or you can take the CLS Plus Course for full 90 hours which fulfills IBCLC Lactation Education Requirement
• Course provides 45 CERPs, 45 Nursing CEUs
• If you want to obtain more than 45 hours towards your IBCLC lactation education requirement, or you need more CERPs or CEUs to recertify, consider LEC’s Home Study Course
• CLE also offers a CLS Plus Course. This provides the full 90 hours of lactation education to qualify for the IBCLC exam. All you have to do is to register for both the Certified Lactation Specialist Course and 3 Home Study Courses at the same time. Special pricing is available for this option
• The Lactation Specialist Certification is good for 5 years
• Tuition: $770. Early bird fee: $720 (registration one month or more prior to first day of the course). Four or more attendees attending from same institution – Contact LEC for discount information
•  Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

Lactation Education Consultants offers the Advanced Clinical Concepts in Lactation Course (ACCLC)

• Consists of a 3 day in-person course in select USA locations
• See the 2015 ACCL Course Schedule for locations, course dates/times and cost
• Offers 28 hours towards the 90 hour IBCLC exam Lactation Education requirement
• Provides 28 L CERPs, 2 E CERPs (21 hours classroom and 9 hours home study)
• Tuition: $485. Early bird fee: $435 (registration one month or more prior to first day of the course).
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

University of California San Diego (UCSD) Extension offers the Lactation Educator Counselor Training Program

• Program in-person on-site (your choice) or online – offered around 20 times annually
• See here for program description, certification, FAQs, etc.
• Grants 45 hours towards IBCLCE’s 90 hour lactation education requirement, 4 CE units in Reproductive Medicine BRN/RD 45 CE hrs
• Lactation Educator Counselor Certificate is awarded at completion of the program. Since it’s considered a final certificate, after successful completion of this course, one is not a “certified” CLEC BUT a “certificated” CLEC. Thus, there is no expiration or recertification required.
• No expiration on Certification or need to recertify.
• Tuition: $695
• Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.
• UCSD’s In-person 6 day Lactation Educator Counselor Training Program 
  • Clinical hours built-in
  • Expect 10-20 hours of homework outside of class
  • Grants 45 hours towards IBCLCE 90 hour lactation education requirement, RNs 45 hours of relicensure credit & RDs 40 hours of relicensure credit
  • Curious what others have to say about this particular program? Check out the reviews submitted by Galactablog members and then search the specific program. FYI: Some programs have several reviews, others don’t have any.

*UCSD Extension also offers a Clinical Training for Lactation Consultants Program that can be completed online (no clinical) or hybrid version (includes clinicals). You can find it here along with listings of similar clinical lactation programs.

Disclaimer: I’ve worked tirelessly to compile and fact check all of this information, but please confirm any pertinent details with the actual program yourself, particularly if it relates to qualifying for the IBCLC exam. Tuition prices are current as of Spring 2015; books and materials are usually an additional cost. Please confirm before registering.

ILCA has also compiled a spread sheet of global Directory of Lactation Management courses as well, it’s a great resource to check out. FYI: not all programs listed are still running.