Becoming a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) involves completing an approved training course and passing a certification exam administered by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice (ALPP). The entire process can be completed in as little as a few weeks, making it one of the faster credentials in the lactation support field.
What a CLC Does
A CLC provides breastfeeding counseling and hands-on lactation support to new parents. The role focuses on normal breastfeeding management: helping with latch, positioning, milk supply concerns, and guiding families through common challenges in the early weeks. CLCs work in hospitals, birthing centers, outpatient lactation clinics, WIC programs, pediatrician and midwife offices, NICUs, visiting nurse programs, and private practice. Some work in military family support centers or community health organizations.
The credential is distinct from the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), which requires significantly more education and clinical hours. Many people use the CLC as a starting point and later pursue the IBCLC if they want a more advanced scope of practice.
Who Can Apply
There is no strict educational prerequisite for the CLC. Candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds: mothers with personal breastfeeding experience, peer counselors, nurses, doulas, childbirth educators, nutritionists, dietitians, midwives, physicians, social workers, and public health workers. You do not need a college degree or a healthcare license to pursue the certification, though having clinical or caregiving experience helps you absorb the training material faster and find employment afterward.
Complete an Approved Training Course
The core requirement is finishing a CLC training course from an ALPP-approved provider. These courses typically run about 45 to 52 contact hours and cover the anatomy and physiology of lactation, infant feeding cues, latch assessment, common breastfeeding problems, milk expression and storage, and counseling techniques. Some programs are offered as intensive in-person workshops over five to seven days. Others are available in a hybrid or fully online format that lets you work at your own pace over several weeks.
Several organizations offer ALPP-approved training. Healthy Children Project is one of the most well-known providers, but hospital systems, universities, and public health departments also host courses. When choosing a program, confirm it is specifically approved by ALPP for CLC certification eligibility, since not all lactation education courses qualify.
Pass the Certification Exam
After completing the training, you sit for the CLC exam. The test is typically administered at the end of the training course itself, so you won’t need to schedule a separate exam date in most cases. The exam is multiple choice and covers the clinical and counseling content from the course. If you’ve engaged with the material throughout the training, the exam draws directly from what you’ve already studied and practiced.
If you don’t pass on the first attempt, you can retake the exam. Check with your training provider for their specific retake policies and any additional fees involved.
Costs to Expect
Training course fees vary by provider and format but generally fall in the range of $500 to $900. This typically includes the course materials and the exam fee bundled together, though some providers charge them separately. Online or self-paced options sometimes cost less than in-person intensives. If you work for a WIC program, hospital, or public health agency, your employer may cover part or all of the cost, so it’s worth asking before you pay out of pocket.
Keeping Your Certification Active
The CLC certification is valid for three years. To recertify, you need to complete at least 18 hours of continuing education specific to breastfeeding and human lactation during that three-year period, then submit a renewal application with documentation of those hours. Continuing education can come from conferences, webinars, online courses, or other ALPP-accepted formats. This requirement reflects the fact that lactation science and best practices evolve, and staying current is part of the credential’s value.
Where CLCs Work and What Comes Next
WIC programs are one of the largest employers of CLCs. Hospitals with maternity units frequently hire CLCs for postpartum floors and newborn nurseries. Pediatric offices, birth centers, and home visiting programs also employ them. Some CLCs build independent practices offering in-home or virtual consultations, though this path works best once you have enough hands-on experience to handle a range of situations confidently.
Career advancement often means moving into a lead lactation role, a breastfeeding coordinator position, or a management and education track within a public health agency. Many CLCs eventually pursue the IBCLC credential, which opens doors to a broader clinical scope and higher earning potential. The clinical hours you log as a working CLC can count toward IBCLC eligibility requirements, so time spent in the role directly builds toward that next step if you choose to take it.