IBCLC Exam Health Sciences Prerequisite
General Education Courses
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Thinking about the IBCLC Exam? For candidates that are not on the list of Recognized Health Professionals, you'll need to complete your Health Sciences Education Requirements prior to your IBCLC exam application.
Through GOLD Lactation Academy, you'll be able to complete 5 of the required general health science subjects:
Medical Documentation
Medical Terminology
Occupational Safety and Security for Health Professionals
Professional Ethics for Health Professionals
Universal Safety Precautions and Infection Control
Meeting these requirements not only prepares individuals for the exam but also sets the stage for delivering high-quality, evidence-based lactation care.
Check Off Your IBCLC Exam Prerequisites
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Package
$99USD
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Covers 5 Topics Listed Above -
Certificate of Completion & 2 E-CERPs
6 months Access Time -
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General Education Courses
Medical Documentation and Terminology for the Lactation Consultant
This course provides foundational knowledge on managing health records, understanding lactation-specific terminology, and mastering effective documentation skills. Students will gain practical experience through case studies, care plan development, and report communication strategies, with an emphasis on confidentiality and organizational best practices. This course is taught by expert IBCLC, Rebecca Costello.
2 Hours | Course Certificate | 6 Months Access
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Ethical Considerations for the Lactation Professional
Focused on the IBCLC Code of Ethics and IBLCE Guiding Documents, this course explores critical ethical principles such as confidentiality, informed consent, and conflict of interest. Participants will review core IBLCE documents to deepen their understanding of ethical decision-making and compliance with the International Code of Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes. This course is taught by the talented IBCLC and lawyer, Liz Brooks.
2 Hours | Course Certificate + 2 E CERPs | 6 Months Access
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Occupational Safety and Security for the Lactation Consultant
This course addresses essential safety considerations in lactation practice, including prevention of musculoskeletal injuries, management of workplace stress, and infant security protocols. Participants will learn strategies to maintain personal safety, navigate workplace challenges, and ensure high standards of care in diverse healthcare settings. This course is taught by Christine Staricka, a well-known IBCLC and author.
1 Hour | Course Certificate | 6 Months Access
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Universal Safety Precautions and Infection Control for the Lactation Consultant
Designed to prioritize health and hygiene, this course introduces protocols for minimizing infection risks, ensuring sanitation, and safeguarding both personal and client well-being. Participants will leave equipped to uphold rigorous safety standards during lactation consultations. This course is co-taught by IBCLCs and authors Dianne Cassidy and Laurel Wilson.
1 Hour | Course Certificate | 6 Months Access
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Why take these courses with GOLD Lactation Academy?
Comprehensive IBCLC Education
This program meets the IBCLC Health Science Continuing Education requirements, ensuring participants gain essential skills and knowledge for lactation consulting practice.
Practical, Real-World Applications
Courses include case studies, document reviews, and workplace safety strategies to ensure students are prepared for real-life scenarios in diverse healthcare settings.
Professionally Developed Content
Each course is crafted by expert lactation professionals to cover key topics such as documentation, ethics, safety, and infection control, explicitly tailored for lactation consultants.
Enhancement of Critical Skills
Learn how to master medical documentation, communicate effectively with healthcare teams, and implement safety and infection control protocols to provide high-quality care.
Frequently Asked Questions
You will immediately gain access to our student dashboard, where you can find the courses as soon as you enroll in the package.
You will have 6 months' access to the package. If you need additional time, please connect with our team!
Sure! Please connect with our team to arrange a delayed start time.
Yes, as long as you have a stable internet connection, you will be able to access the course content through a variety of devices.
We encourage it! Connect with other students preparing for the IBCLC exam through our Facebook Discussion Group and WhatsApp Community Chat (available upon enrollment).
All courses are offered online for maximum flexibility, allowing you to study at your own pace while accessing high-quality content designed by lactation and healthcare experts.
These courses are ideal for individuals studying to become an IBCLC, healthcare professionals transitioning into lactation consulting, or current lactation consultants who need to meet Health Science requirements for the IBCLC exam.
Yes! You have access to rewatch all recordings for the duration of your program.
Each course includes an assessment to ensure comprehension. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a certificate to document their completed Health Science Continuing Education hours.
Yes, you will gain 2 E-Cerps & a Course Completion Certificate.
These courses cover key topics like ethics, safety, infection control, and documentation, which are essential for IBCLC candidates to develop the foundational skills needed to practice safely, ethically, and effectively. They fulfill the IBLCE eligibility requirements for sitting the IBCLC exam.
Yes! These courses are ideal for filling gaps in your required Health Science subjects or as refreshers to strengthen your knowledge for a lactation practice.
IBLCE requires candidates to complete coursework in 14 health science subjects unless the candidate has a recognized healthcare degree or license that fulfills these requirements. 8 of the courses must be taken from an accredited institute of higher learning. These include:
Biology
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Infant Child Growth and Development
Introduction to Clinical Research
Nutrition
Psychology or Counselling Skills or Communication Skills
Sociology or Cultural Sensitivity or Cultural Anthropology
The other 6 courses are considered Continuing Education Courses. These are the courses Gold Lactation Academy offers in their Health Science Package, with the exception of a Basic Life Support Course. These include:
Medical Documentation
Medical Terminology
Professional Ethics in Healthcare Professionals
University Safety Precautions and Infection Control
Occupational Safety and Security for Health Professionals
Basic Life Support
Yes! GOLD Lactation Academy emphasizes real-world application, including case studies, scenarios, and practical exercises to ensure participants gain hands-on skills for their lactation practice.
GOLD Lactation Academy ensures all courses align with the IBLCE Health Science requirements. Each course addresses specific topics outlined by IBLCE for exam eligibility.
While these courses fulfill specific Health Science Continuing Education requirements, they are also designed to give participants practical knowledge and tools to succeed as lactation professionals. Candidates who are sitting for the IBCLC Exam must also take the 8 Health Sciences Courses (see above) and 95 Lactation Specific Education Hours, including 5 Communication Hours and 2 WHO Code Hours. Gold Lactation Academy offers a 95-hour Lactation Academy to fulfill these requirements. You can find out more about this program here: https://www.lactationacademy.com/
Yes, all required Health Science subjects must be completed before submitting your IBCLC exam application. These courses are part of the prerequisites set by IBLCE.
GOLD Lactation Academy provides certificates of completion for each course, which can be submitted as proof of completed education if your application for the IBCLC Exam is audited
Way to take the initiative! If you work with an organization or hospital that has team members attempting the IBCLC Exam, please connect with us at [email protected]. There are also individuals looking to join a group through the Facebook Group - GOLD Lactation Academy Group Signup for Discount. You can simply share your copy of the signup spreadsheet and encourage others to join.
No! You will be able to mix and match across our various courses to meet the minimum requirements.
Yes, please make a copy of the Google Sheet located here!
Discount or access codes along with instructions will be sent to each individual. Once you've enrolled, you'll be able to access your material through our Student Dashboard.
Explore various Facebook and social media groups with aspiring IBCLCs. Be sure to check out the Facebook Group - GOLD Lactation Academy Group Signup for Discount, where you may find an open group or can simply start your own group spreadsheet!