• Be at least 18 years of age.
  Attend a CAPPA Lactation Educator training class.
• Read selected books from the CAPPA Lactation Educator Required Reading List.
• Read the CAPPA Lactation Educator Training Manual (received at training).
• Complete all requirements below within 2 years of the training class.
• Become a Member of CAPPA.
• Enroll in the Lactation Educator Traditional Course in CAPPA Academy and complete the items below.
  • Pass the Scope of Practice Pretest. A 100% passing grade is required.
    Read and watch the video clips from the Understanding Breastfeeding Booklet.
  • Document attendance of at least 1 in person OR 2 virtual La Leche League (LLL), Nursing Mother's Council, or local breastfeeding support meetings. Details/forms are provided within CAPPA Academy.
  • Observe a breastfeeding consultation. Details/forms are provided within CAPPA Academy.
    • Option #1 Attend and review an in person IBCLC or CLC visit with one family.
    • Option #2 Attend and review a virtual lactation consultation with an IBCLC or CLC visit with one family.
    • Option #3 watch and review DR JACK NEWMAN’S VISUAL GUIDE TO BREASTFEEDING.
  • Complete a compare-contrast paper of 2 different research studies. Details/forms are provided within CAPPA Academy.
  • Student teach or submit a video of (1) 30-minute lesson OR (2) 15-minute lessons. Hand in a detailed outline and curriculum for the presentations taught.
  • Create a Resource List with information on local support for parents. A guide for creating this list is found in CAPPA Academy.
  • Obtain 2 letters of recommendation from professionals. Details are provided within CAPPA Academy.
  • Sign and agree to the following:
    • Code of Conduct
    • Social Media Policy
    • Grievance Policy
    • CAPPA Mission
    • CAPPA Approach
    • CAPPA Vision
    • Scope of Practice
  • Pass the multiple-choice exam. A passing grade is 85% or higher. If a student does fail an exam, resubmission fees may apply.
  • Pass the essay exam. The essay exam is graded on a pass-fail basis. If a student does fail an exam, resubmission fees may apply.

** Additional fees may apply, such as extensions, resubmissions, or rush result fees.
*All fees listed in USD.

CAPPA Community Lactation Educators fill an important function in educating and supporting families interested in learning about feeding and parenting methods. This education may take place in the public, hospital, clinical or private setting. Community Lactation Educators provide informational, emotional and practical support of breastfeeding. They may provide this service exclusively as Lactation Educators, or may use their training to augment their support in other professions, in the cases of doulas, childbirth educators, nurses, dieticians, and postnatal or parenting educators. In addition to providing breastfeeding information, Lactation Educators offer encouragement, companionship, an experienced point of view, and foster confidence and a commitment to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding education is not restricted to new families, but applies to the general public and medical staff as well. Due to the limited breastfeeding information given in standard medical and nursing training, and the rampant misinformation about breastfeeding that is so prevalent today, the CAPPA Certified Community Lactation Educator serves as a resource for accurate, evidence-based information to the public and health care providers, as well as to childbearing families.

This program is distinct and separate form the CLE® program. While both the LE(C) and the CLE® provide families with support and education, the LE(C) is not qualified to lead group classes or facilitate a breastfeeding class. They are trained breastfeeding professionals that offer one on one breastfeeding support and education. The LE(C) can however facilitate a breastfeeding support group for mothers. The LE(C) also does not offer medical advice or provide lactation consulting or breastfeeding assessment. The LE(C) does receive extensive training in proper referral for families needing breastfeeding intervention. 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. Currently, CAPPA LE(C)s can work in many fields providing support and advocacy for families across the United States and internationally. CAPPA LE(C)s can be found as WIC peer counselors, as educators on hospital postpartum floors, working as breast pump rental technicians and in breastfeeding support stores, and working in public health departments - just to name a few. Many of our CAPPA LE(C)s 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.

Is your hospital, WIC department, or governmental agency in need of CAPPA Certified Lactation Educators™? CAPPA faculty can come to your location and train your staff or community members to become CAPPA Certified Lactation Educators™.

The 20-hour CLE® training program is designed to train and certify professionals to work with families from preconception through the stage of weaning offering education, encouragement, counseling, an experienced point of view, and fostering confidence, and a commitment to breastfeeding. Lactation Educators can be found working in a variety of settings to offer their services to families. Families can find them working as public health educators, WIC peer counselors, hospital/community educators, pediatric support professionals, and in private practice as educators.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 770-965-9777.