FAQ Category: CLC

No, candidates do not need to notify ALPP if they wish to allow their CLC certification to expire. However, certified persons must notify ALPP if convicted of criminal misconduct and if, through circumstances foreseen or unforeseen, they are unable to perform the essential functions of the CLC role with or without reasonable accommodation.

Yes. The course content changes as research is published in the field, so re-taking the course is a great learning opportunity! You do not have to take the CLC exam again. If you choose to retake the exam, you forfeit your current status as a CLC and your certification then depends on your most recent test results. If you do not pass, you will lose the right to the CLC credential.

ALPP will not accept any continuing education credits towards recertification if provided by a commercial interest. A commercial interest is defined by ALPP as a for-profit entity that develops, produces, markets, distributes or sells pharmaceuticals, products, services, or therapies used to diagnose, treat, monitor, or manage lactation and breastfeeding, infant and young child feeding and maternal and child nutrition.

This definition includes companies whose products fall within the scope of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (e.g. infant formula, bottles, and teats) and subsequent World Health Assembly resolutions. This definition includes breast pump companies, pharmaceutical companies and individuals marketing breastmilk feeding items, such as nipple creams and nipple devices, breastfeeding pillows, nursing stools, etc.

This definition excludes non-profit entities and entities through which lactation support professionals provide clinical services to patients. Also excluded from this definition are publishing companies, health insurance providers, independent educators whose sole purpose is to provide education and for-profit hospitals.

The CLC Code of Ethics requires that certificants behave in accordance with the World Health Organization Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. See section 7 of the Who Code for further information.

The CLC Code of Ethics is accessible here.
The WHO Code is accessible here.

Here is some guidance from the International Baby Food Action Group on the role of health workers (including LCs) vis-a-vis education and the companies addressed by the Code: http://ibfan.org/upload/files/Sponsorship-and-conflicts-of-interest.pdf

The credentialing process for insurance companies is separate from professional credentialing. It refers to the insurance company accepting care providers whom they will reimburse. Insurers establish their own rules about whom they credential, which is challenging for individual providers who have to deal with each insurer separately.

Regarding the superbill, while insurance billing and reimbursement are always complex topics, it is currently in a state of near chaos given the status of discussions in Washington. As a result, we are not comfortable offering advice. It would be best to go to a billing expert in your state who knows the ins and outs of your insurance market.

Every CLC should obtain advice regarding liability insurance. Two types may be needed: a) professional liability (malpractice) insurance; b) general liability (if you are self-employed – this covers business exposures such as clients being injured by a slip and fall on the premises, etc.)

If you already carry liability insurance in the context of other licensure/certification (e.g., RN, doula, etc.), we recommend checking with your current liability insurance carrier to see if lactation can be added to any existing policy. Make sure you find out about any limitations of insurance – for example, if your insurance covers your work in a hospital it may cover you only on hospital grounds, but not for phone calls made from home, home visits, etc.

CM&F Liability Insurance for Certified Lactation Counselors, Advanced Lactation Counsultants, Advanced Nurse Lactation Consultants

Many CLCs work in hospitals, birthing centers, WIC offices, doctor’s offices, health departments, and in private practices as well. Every CLC must work within their Scope of Practice. This document can be viewed as a job description.

Approved continuing education offerings are ones that focus on evidence based breastfeeding research, updated management training, advocacy, practice, counseling, promotion, protection and/or support. There are many options for your continuing education that offer L-CERPs or E-CERPs. You may also complete education offerings that award R-CERPs or general CEUs/Contact Hours, as long as the title of the course is specific to the field of breastfeeding or human lactation.

If your application to sit for the CLC examination through the Aggregate Pathway or Alternative Pathway is denied, you may appeal the decision as outlined in the CLC Candidate Handbook.  A candidate may also appeal to a decision made on their examination as outlined in the CLC Candidate Handbook.

The CLC examination is a challenging certification test. Many people retake one or both portions of the exam for a variety of reasons, including if they are making up time from a previous exam location. CLC candidates who are on the Comprehensive Course Pathway can retake the test up to three times within one year of the date they completed the Lactation Counselor Training Course. CLC candidates who are on the Alternate or Aggregate Pathways may retake the test up to three times within one year of the date of their application approval. The retake exam fee is $100 each time.