A lactation consultant is a healthcare provider recognized as an expert in the fields of human lactation and breastfeeding. The USLCA, United States Lactation Consultant Association, is the presiding organization in the United States of America and the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) is the professional association for lactation consultants internationally. An International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) will have the initials IBCLC and/or RLC after her/his name, as a physician would have MD or DO, or a registered nurse would have RN. Lactation Consultants can be found in private practice, on staff in hospitals, and in the public health arena.
Candidates for the IBCLC boards can choose various pathways to qualify. There are certain college-level classes required plus a minimum number of hours working with breastfeeding mothers under the direction of an IBCLC. If you are able to shadow an IBCLC who has re-certified by exam (every 10 years this is required), you can speed up the process of becoming a lactation consultant. You must take a 40+ hour Breastfeeding course no more than 5 years before sitting for the exam.