Career Advice > Continuing Education > Credentialing and Licensing > CLC Certification: Overview and FAQ

CLC Certification: Overview and FAQ

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Written by Ann Real, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare

A nurse with CLC certification assists a mother and her new baby.

The Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) credential is more than just a title — it’s a commitment to supporting families through breastfeeding journeys. Often pursued by nurses, doulas, midwives, and other maternal-child health professionals, CLC certification is a testament to advanced knowledge and skills in addressing common breastfeeding challenges, such as latching difficulties and milk supply issues.

With over 70% of mothers facing breastfeeding challenges, your experience as a CLC is in high demand. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about getting certified, from eligibility requirements to exam details.

CLC Certification: Snapshot

Eligibility: You can qualify to sit for the exam through three pathways: Completing a comprehensive course, acquiring 95 hours of related continuing education and supervised skills attestation, or graduating from an approved lactation consultant program.
Preparation: Review the candidate handbook, read the recommended texts, study the topics in the content outline, and familiarize yourself with the latest job task analysis.
Application process: If you’re taking a course, your instructor will guide you through the application process. Alternatively, you’ll need to submit an application along with proof of your education and experience.
Exam: Your exam will consist of multiple-choice questions and take about 2 hours.
Cost: The application fee is $20, and the exam fee is $100. If you choose to enroll in a course, plan for costs in the $600 to $800 range.
Renewal: You’ll need to renew every 3 years.

What Is a CLC Certificate?

CLC certification is a specialized credential given to clinicians or individuals who complete comprehensive training and pass a specialized exam testing their breastfeeding knowledge. It’s awarded by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice (ALPP), a recognized leader in breastfeeding and lactation certification programs.

Wondering who can benefit from this credential? It’s available to any healthcare professional or individual who wants to specialize in breastfeeding support, including the following:

Certification Exam Outline

Your study curriculum covers a range of topics to give you the latest evidence-based knowledge for providing top-notch breastfeeding support. Here’s a brief glimpse of the exam outline:

Hormonal influences in pregnancy and lactation
Maternal and infant nutrition
Nipple and breast problems
Latch-on and positioning for breastfeeding
Milk supply, formula supplementation
Commercial products
Weaning
Promotion of breastfeeding
Special circumstances; maternal and infant

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6 Steps to Get CLC Certified

Ready to become a CLC? Let’s go over the key steps to earn a certified breastfeeding support professional certification.

1. Meet Eligibility Requirements

There are three pathways to qualify to sit for the exam:

Comprehensive Course Pathway:	Aggregate Pathway:	Alternate Pathway:
Complete a single, comprehensive course that covers all exam requirements. Here are the course details: The course consists of 95 hours of training, worth at least 3 college credits. Upon completion, you’ll get documentation verifying your competencies. For this pathway, no additional application is needed — the Center for Breastfeeding submits it directly for you.	Submit proof of 95 hours of relevant education (within the past year) and documentation confirming you have acquired all the relevant skills. Here’s what you need to submit: Application form Certificates or transcripts for educational courses you’ve completed Academic content checklist Counseling skills attestation Resume Resume of a supervisor who completed counseling skills attestation Signed candidate application statement	Graduate from a lactation counselor program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Here’s what you need to submit: Application form Transcript from a CAAHEP-approved program Counseling skills attestation Your resume and supervisors’ resumes Signed candidate application statement

Comprehensive Course Pathway:

Aggregate Pathway:

Alternate Pathway:

Complete a single, comprehensive course that covers all exam requirements. Here are the course details:

The course consists of 95 hours of training, worth at least 3 college credits.
Upon completion, you’ll get documentation verifying your competencies.
For this pathway, no additional application is needed — the Center for Breastfeeding submits it directly for you.

Submit proof of 95 hours of relevant education (within the past year) and documentation confirming you have acquired all the relevant skills.

Here’s what you need to submit:

Application form
Certificates or transcripts for educational courses you’ve completed
Academic content checklist
Counseling skills attestation
Resume
Resume of a supervisor who completed counseling skills attestation
Signed candidate application statement

Graduate from a lactation counselor program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Here’s what you need to submit:

Application form
Transcript from a CAAHEP-approved program
Counseling skills attestation
Your resume and supervisors’ resumes
Signed candidate application statement

2. Prepare for the Exam

Ready for the exam? If you completed the course, you’ve reviewed all the topics. For aggregate or alternative pathways, check out these ALPP study resources:

Candidate handbook
List of textbook references
Content outline

You can also explore additional resources available online, such as Quizlet practice questions or reference texts. However, be cautious when relying on non-ALPP-approved materials, as they may not align with the exam’s content or standards.

3. Submit Your Application

If you’re taking the course, your instructor will guide you through the application process. You’ll have six months from completing the course to take the CLC online exam. If you’re following the aggregate or alternative pathways, you’ll need to submit your application and schedule the exam independently.

4. Pay the Exam Fee

Certification is an investment in your career, and knowing the expenses ahead of time can help you budget effectively. Here are the fees associated with taking the CLC exam:

Application fee: $20
Examination fee: $100

5. Pass the CLC Exam

What can you expect on test day? Here’s a snapshot of what your exam experience will be like:

You’ll take the exam through remote proctoring.
You’ll have about 2 hours to finish the test.
You need to score 75% or higher to pass.

6. Maintain the Certification

Once you earn your credential, it’s valid for three years. After that, you can renew your CLC certification online by submitting proof of 18 hours of continuing education in breastfeeding and lactation. ALPP also accepts up to three hours in topics like social justice or healthcare bias, which aren’t required but can count toward recertification.

Frequently Asked Questions: CLC Certification

What is the typical CLC salary?

The typical lactation consultant salary in the U.S. is about $98,000, but it can vary based on your experience, education, and work setting. Additionally, some states offer higher salaries for lactation consultants.

What are common breastfeeding issues?

Curious about the challenges you’ll help your clients with as a CLC? Here are some common breastfeeding issues patients face:

Cracked or wounded nipples
Sore nipples during breastfeeding
Insufficient production of milk
Breast engorgement
Difficulty getting in the right position
Child’s sickness
Mother’s sickness
Breast abscess

Where can CLCs work?

These skilled professionals have the flexibility to work in a variety of settings. Some of the most common workplaces include the following:

Hospitals
Birthing centers
Community health centers
Lactation clinics
Women’s health centers
Private practices
Online consulting platforms
Home health services

For the most up-to-date information on where you could work with this certification, check out the latest mother-baby nurse jobs on IntelyCare.

What are the best CLC certification programs?

The Center for Breastfeeding’s Lactation Counselor Training Course is an ALPP-recognized program that covers all the necessary requirements to sit for the exam.

Related Certifications

Interested in exploring more certifications? Here are some additional credentials to consider:

Certified Breast Care Nurse (CBCN)
Board Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC)
Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification (AMB-BC)
Registered Nurse Certification in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB)
Registered Nurse Certification in Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN)
Registered Nurse Certification in Neonatal Intensive Care (RNC-NIC)
Family Nurse Practitioner — Board Certification (FNP-BC)
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

Unlock Your Next Nursing Opportunity

Ready to elevate your nursing career? CLC certification is just the beginning. IntelyCare can connect you with exciting nursing opportunities tailored to your goals and desired lifestyle. Find your next great job today.