Certified Lactation Specialist

The Certified Lactation Specialist Course is a week-long intensive training designed for staff interested in improving their skills in working with the breastfeeding dyad. All content included on the IBLCE topical outline are covered. Participants will be taught how to use appropriate counseling skills, how to teach parents and families, and most importantly, how to function hands-on as a clinician. This course is taught virtually with 3 instructors via didactic information as well as discussion, videos, and visual examples of lactation problems. Certification as a lactation specialist (CLS) is achieved through attendance at the entire course, completion of assigned homework, and passing the end of course exam on the last day. The CLS certification can be renewed every 5 years via continuing education or by retaking the exam.

Agenda: The outline of CLS topics can be found on LEC’s website.

To qualify to receive this scholarship:

  • You must have worked in WIC for at least 1 year as a BFPC, CPAA, CPA, or Coordinator.
  • You must be committed to finishing the course, including completing all requirements, and sharing information with other staff members.

This scholarship pays for the registration and test fees. Materials will be mailed to the address you provide. Award of the scholarship will be at the discretion of IDHS.

Coursework: This training has 2.5 hours of pre-work that must be completed before the live, virtual, 5-day training.  If a participant is unable to complete the pre-work assignment prior to the beginning of the course, alternative assignments will be provided at the beginning of the course. On the final day of the course, a 50-question multiple choice exam will be provided online. This exam is a requirement of the certification as a Certified Lactation Specialist.

Resources: Participants will be mailed a printed 600-page binder that includes all PowerPoint slides. Materials for the pre-course homework assignments will be provided upon registration. The link to the end of the course exam will be provided to participants during the course.

Continuing Education: 46 L-CERPS, 1 E-CERP, 5 C-CERPS; An additional 5 Counseling L-CERPS are online, if requested, to meet the IBLCE requirement to sit for their exam.

This training is provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services through a USDA training grant as an educational opportunity.  Any views or opinions presented in this training are solely those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect official WIC policy. 

For questions, please contact   courtney.adams2@illinois.gov

Available Trainings:

Feb 23-27, 2026: 8am - 5:30pm (Registration Closes 2/13/2026)

April 15-17& 20-21, 2026: 7am - 4:30pm (Registration Closes 4/7/2026)

May 6-8 & 11-12, 2026: 8am - 5:30pm (Registration Closes 4/28/2026)