IBCLC Exam
How many questions is the IBCLC Exam?
175 multiple 4-choice questions
Example:
What is the most prominent time for a Staph (Staphylococcus aureus) infection for a lactating parent?
a. Prenatally
b. Within the first month
c. 2 - 3 months
d. 4-6 months
How long is the IBCLC Exam?
4 Hours - this does include one break between Part One and Part Two
What are Part One and Part Two of the exam?
Part One: This is a list of didactic only multiple choice questions. You are not required to analyze any images, charts or graphs.
Part Two: In this section you will be asked to interpret images, charts and graphs as well as additional didactic questions. - These are typically primarily photos.
Once you start Part Two you CANNOT go back to edit questions in Part One. However, while you are still in Part One you CAN go back to edit questions you previously looked at.
What is the breakdown of the questions by topic?
This is available by looking at the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline. Or following the chart below
Detailed Content Outline Topics
Development and Nutrition - 32
Physiology and Endocrinology - 14
Pathology - 35
Pharmacology and Toxicology - 14
Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology - 20
Techniques - 25
Clinical Skills - 35
Total: 175 Questions
Tasks
(topic question categories)
Develop a plan
DocumentEvaluate
Help mother determine goals
History taking
Work with other healthcare providers
Visual examination of the breastfeeding mother’s nipple and breast
Visual examination of the breastfeeding infant’s position and latch
Verbal communication with breastfeeding families
Chronological Periods
(At least one for each topic)
Prenatal - maternal
Labour - maternal / birth - perinatal
Prematurity (including late preterm)
0 - 2 days
3 - 14 days
15 – 28 days
1 - 3 months
4 - 6 months
7 - 12 months
Beyond 12 months
General principles (including preconception)
Where do I take the IBCLC Exam?
Option 1: Live Remote Proctoring from your home
Option 2: Testing at a Test Centre
Do I have to take the exam on a computer?
Yes. The IBCLC Exam is no longer offered with paper and pencil.
* Our Certification Bundle and course Advanced Updates and Certification Strategies include unlimited mock exams. You do not need to purchase them separately!
The IBCLC Exam is divided into two sections, and our 50-question practice tests are designed to help you master both. Each timed exam mirrors the pacing of the actual IBCLC exam, with 60 minutes allotted to match the question-per-minute rate. To ensure thorough preparation, we've set a higher passing score of 85%—10% above the IBCLC exam standard. You’ll have two attempts to pass both the Part One and Part Two Practice Exams. Additionally, you can opt for the combined practice exam, which covers both sections in a 120-minute session—half the length of a full mock exam. The question banks for all three options remain fixed, providing a consistent and reliable practice experience.
Evergreen Perinatal Education provides a comprehensive question bank featuring over 2,000 IBCLC-style questions, written by past IBCLC exam authors. These original questions are not sourced from current or past IBCLC Exams, ensuring a fresh and rigorous testing experience. Each time you take a Mock Exam, you'll encounter a unique set of 175 questions, carefully aligned with the Detailed Content Outline and structured to mirror the IBCLC Exam format. Our 4-hour mock exams replicate the real test environment, with a passing score set at 85%—10% above the IBCLC requirement—to build confidence and improve accuracy. This higher benchmark has been shown to reduce exam-day stress and minimize common mistakes. To support diverse study needs, we offer flexible options for the number of attempts, allowing you to tailor your practice for maximum readiness.
