Pathway 2 Candidates: The UC San Diego Extension Lactation program for Pathway 2 meets the IBLCE 90 hours of didactic education requirement for the IBLCE exam. The UC San Diego Extension course is 120+ hours in length. The UC San Diego Extension Lactation program requires that all Pathway 2 applicants have met the professional educational prerequisite requirements of the IBLCE before taking the UC San Diego Extension Pathway 2 education program. These requirements can be reviewed below or at IBLCE.org.
Pathway 2 Candidates: Completion of “General Education Requirement” of the IBCLE is required before the start of the UC San Diego Extension Lactation Consultant Pathway 2 program.
1. General Education Requirement: Candidate must be a Licensed, Registered or Recognized Health Professional. For the UC San Diego Extension hybrid lactation program pathway 2 application you will be required to identify your health profession, and required to submit a copy of your license, registration, diploma or unofficial transcript.
Health professionals include: physicians, nurses, midwives, dietitians, occupational, physical and speech therapists, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists and chiropractors. If your profession is not on this list, please see IBLCE.org for more information about whether or not your professional training will satisfy the General Education requirements.
If you are not a licensed, registered, or recognized health professional you will be required to submit proof of completion of the 8 academic college courses and 6 CEU courses as described by the IBLCE.org. These courses must be from an accredited college or university.
**See next FAQ for the list of 8 academic college courses and 6 CEU courses as described by the IBLCE.org.
2. Completion of a 45-hour lactation education training program (preferably UC San Diego Extension’s program), within the past 5 years. The course is LEC – Lactation Educator Counselor RMED-40029. The LEC – Lactation Education Counselor course is offered online each quarter or in a classroom setting at various locations throughout California.
See IBLCE Health Sciences Education Requirements
If you are not a licensed, registered or recognized health professional, you will be required to submit proof of completion of the 8 academic course and 6 CEU courses as described by the IBLCE.org. These courses must be from an accredited college or university.
Health professionals include: physicians, nurses, midwives, dietitians, occupational, physical and speech therapists, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists and chiropractors. If your profession is not on this list, please see IBLCE.org for more information about whether or not your professional training will satisfy the General Education requirements.
1. 8 College Subjects must be from an accredited college or university and at least one academic term in length. Candidates must have received a passing grade in each course of "C" or better in each of the courses.
2. 6 Continuing Education Subjects available at UC San Diego Extension ONLINE:
In addition, UC San Diego Extension requires completion of the following course:
- Lactation Education Counselor (45 hour) RMED-40029 ($735)
The UC San Diego Extension program works closely with the IBLCE. For the UC San Diego Extension Pathway 2 candidates, all of the homework and clinical will be due by May 1, of each year. This deadline will allow ample time to apply for the IBLCE exam in September of that year.
In the past, the IBLCE allowed for a Moratorium of Understanding to be completed stating that exam requirements would be met by the time the exam was taken. As noted at IBLCE.org, the IBLCE no longer allows for a MOU and all requirements to sit for the September exam must be completed by the May deadline.
The UC San Diego Extension Pathway 2 program application is open from October 19 - November 30, 2020. The IBLCE test application deadline is May with a test date in September, annually.
Required course is UC San Diego online 10-hour refresher course. This course will update the educational points of the LEC – Lactation Education Counselor course. Course Number: RMED-40026, Credit: 1 unit ($125).
Clinical: Intern required to do about 12-14 hours per week of clinical, starting late September and ending March 20, 2021. 300 clinical hours are required.
Weekly Time Commitment:
Video Viewing: Approximately 7-8 hours per week
Homework: Approximately 5-6 hours per week
Intern can work ahead on hours and homework. Intern is subject to removal from program if they get behind in requirements.
April IBLCE Exam - Application due previous November
September IBLCE Exam - Application due previous May
Financial Considerations
• Cost of program:
Pathway 2 Hybrid course: Didactic education and clinical = $4495
- Application fee = $50
- Clinical background document fees between $50-$250
- Cost of books approximately $250
- Cost of Complio Tracking Package $22
- Cost of IBLCE Exam
- Cost of lab coat approximately $25
- Cost of Specialized Certificate $95
- Cost of homework printing and supplies approximately $150 for the year
- Cost of babysitting and travel to the course, as applicable
For financial aid or student loan information, please review UC San Diego Extension’s financial aid information. There are no scholarships for this course from UC San Diego Extension.
There may be scholarships available from your local breastfeeding coalition. In addition, you may have educational funds available as part of your employment package at many hospitals.