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.
* When submitting your certification materials, please do not send originals. Please do not send your certification materials to CAPPA in a way that requires us to sign for them. CAPPA staff retrieves the CAPPA mail after Post Office hours. We cannot sign for mail!
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 the CAPPA shop.
- Read ALL required readings mentioned in CAPPA CLE™ Module, 4 books from the reading list and choose one of the following texts in its latest edition: Hale and Hartmann’s Textbook of Human Lactation OR Jan Riordan’s Breastfeeding and Human Lactation.
- 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 faculty trainer at your workshop.
- Attend a CAPPA-approved 20 Hour CLE™ Lactation Educator Training.
- Attend two La Leche League, Nursing Mother's Council or local breastfeeding support 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 sample copy of a breastfeeding class outline, curriculum, and any handouts of your own design.
- 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. OR watch the following videos and write a 4 page review on each video. Dr. Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding (available in CAPPA Store), Breasts and Latch 1, 2, 3: Troubleshooting Breastfeeding in the Early Weeks, $29.95 (available from Healthy Children). OR write a 5 page paper based on interviews with at least 2 IBCLC’s on standards of practice, the way IBCLC’s practice and how IBCLC’s receive their certification.
- Review three current research studies (study published in the past 4 years) and write 2 page review in MLA format. Compare and contrast two studies and write a comparison study of at least 500 words, double-spaced using MLA formatting.
- Create and submit to CAPPA a local resource list for breastfeeding families.
- Submit one hour of taped video of yourself teaching a breastfeeding topic or student teach with a local breastfeeding educator for one hour class. This student teaching must be accompanied by a report from the Mentor educator.
- 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 CLE director at cledirector@cappa.net.
In order for candidates to be eligible for CAPPA certification they must sign and agree to the CAPPA Code of Conduct, Scope of Practice and Grievance Policy.
Cost of Traditional Program
Member of CAPPA (per year) $45.00
Lactation Educator Certification Packet $35.00
CAPPA Approved CLE™ Training $350-400, varies by trainer and location
Certification processing fee $75.00
Total Cost: $505-555 plus cost of books
Distance Certification
10 CEUs are awarded upon completion of the distance program.- 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 shop. This includes the CAPPA CLE™ Module and Certification packet.
- Read ALL required readings mentioned in CAPPA CLE™ Module, the CAPPA CLE™ Module, and choose one of the following texts in its latest edition, Hale and Hartmann’s Textbook of Human Lactation OR Jan Riordan’s Breastfeeding and Human Lactation Text and 4 books from the reading list.
- Write a one-page personal essay on why you want to be a certified lactation educator.
- Submit a detailed CV or resume.
- Attend a local breastfeeding education class, and write a two page (minimum) review, double-spaced.
- 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. OR watch the following videos and write a 4 page review on each video. Dr. Newman’s Visual Guide to Breastfeeding, Breasts and Latch 1, 2, 3: Troubleshooting Breastfeeding in the Early Weeks, $29.95 (available from Healthy Children). OR write a 5 page paper based on interviews with at least 2 IBCLC’s on standards of practice, the way IBCLC’s practice and how IBCLC’s receive their certification.
- Select 3 videos from the the CLE™ Distance program required video list. Write a four page double-spaced review on each video using MLA format. These videos ARE NOT included in the original cost of your CLE Distance packet.
- Attend two La Leche League, Nursing Mother's Council or local breastfeeding support meetings.
- Choose two breastfeeding topics and complete a research paper on each. A minimum of 1,500 words each is required, double-spaced using MLA formatting. 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 sample copy of a breastfeeding class outline, curriculum, and any handouts of your own design.
- Take and pass the online breastfeeding class offered through CAPPA. You must submit a proof of purchase of this course and a passing grade when submitting your final certification materials. The cost of this course IS NOT included in the distance CLE™ package fee.
- Review three current research studies (study published in the past 4 years) and write a 2 page review, double- spaced using MLA format.. Compare and contrast two of the studies and write a comparison study of at least 500 words, double-spaced using MLA formatting.
- Create and submit a local resource list for breastfeeding families.
- Submit one hour of taped video of yourself teaching a breastfeeding topic or student teach with a local breastfeeding educator for one hour class. This student teaching must be accompanied by a report from the Mentor educator.
- 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 CLE™ Director.
In order for candidates to be eligible for CAPPA certification, they must sign and agree to abide by the CAPPA Philosophy, code of conduct, scope of practice and grievance policy.
Cost of Distance Program
Member of CAPPA (per year) $45.00
Lactation Educator Distance Packet $150.00
CAPPA Online Course $200.00
Certification processing fee $75.00
Total Cost: $470.00 plus books and videos if purchased
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 (with CAPPA, Bradley, ICEA, Lamaze or Birthworks) who has taught a minimum of 12 breastfeeding classes. Proof required in the form of class rosters and/or evaluations and CCCE certificate.
- Be a WIC Peer Counselor or Registered Dietician with at least 2 years breastfeeding support experience.
In addition to 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 shop.
- Read ALL required readings mentioned in CAPPA CLE™ Module, the CAPPA CLE™ Module, and choose one of the following texts in its latest edition, Hale and Hartmann’s Textbook of Human Lactation OR Jan Riordan’s Breastfeeding and Human Lactation Text and 1 book from the 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 faculty trainer at your workshop.
- Attend a CAPPA-approved 20 Hour CLE™ lactation educator training.
- Submit a sample copy of a three hour breastfeeding class outline, curriculum, and any handouts of your own design.
- Create and submit a local resource list for breastfeeding families.
- Submit one hour of taped video of yourself teaching a breastfeeding topic or student teach with a local breastfeeding educator for one hour class. This student teaching must be accompanied by a report from the Mentor educator.
- 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 CLE™ Director.
In order for candidates to be eligible for CAPPA certification they must sign and agree to the CAPPA Code of Conduct, Scope of Practice and Grievance Policy.
Cost Of Accelerated Program
Membership fee $45.00
Certification Packet $35.00
Certification Processing Fee $75.00
Cost of training varies $350.00-$400.00
Total $505-555 plus cost of texts and books.
