Before you can take the Certified Clinical Lactationist™ Exam, it is required that you understand the nature and breadth of the exam. The following declarations should be read and checked only when you fully understand and agree. If you have questions, please call us at 703-787-9894 or email us at info@breastfeedingoutlook.com

Once you have qualified to take the exam, you will be presented with a personalized version of this document, and you will be required to declare that you understand and agree to all these statements.

I declare that I understand and agree that:

1. The aim of the Certified Clinical Lactationist™ Exam (“CCL™ Certification Exam”) is to recognize a candidate who has prepared to help families to overcome the barriers that keep them from initiating or continuing breastfeeding.


In order to pass the CCL™ Certification Exam, it is recommended that I have significant clinical experience working with mothers and babies along the healthcare continuum (from conception to age two (2) years.)


I understand that the Certified Clinical Lactationist™ Exam will cover these broad disciplines:
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Nutrition and composition of human milk
• Early human development as related to nutrition
• Pathological conditions
• Pharmacology and environmental toxicology
• Psychology, sociology and anthropology
• Techniques and clinical problem-solving
• Equipment and technology
• Interpersonal, interdisciplinary, and system-level communication
• Legal, ethical, and compliance issues
• Evidence-based practice, research and analysis
• Public policy and advocacy


The successful completion of the prerequisite Marie Biancuzzo’s Comprehensive Lactation Course (MBCLC) or the online Marie Biancuzzo’s Core Concepts 90 Course DOES NOT guarantee that I will pass the CCL™ Certification Exam.


The CCL™ Certification Exam is not an “end of course” exam for either Marie Biancuzzo’s Comprehensive Lactation Course (MBCLC) or the online Marie Biancuzzo’s Core Concepts 90 Course. Successful completion of these courses DOES NOT entitle me to any certification, only the opportunity to earn a CCL™ certification, should I meet all of the other prerequisite requirements and pass the CCL™ Certification Exam.


While approximately two-thirds of those who take the CCL™ Certification Exam will ultimately pass and earn the Certified Clinical Lactationist™ certification, I am not entitled to the Certified Clinical Lactationist™ certification unless I can successfully pass the CCL™ Certification Exam and my success is not guaranteed.


This exam is designed for United States of America (USA)-based candidates. If I am not based in the USA, I may have difficulty with some questions. However, it is still possible for non-USA-based persons to pass this exam.


This is an application-level exam, NOT a simple recall of content learned exam. I will not have heard, read, or seen the test question or answers verbatim during the prerequisite 90-hour lactation education course. In addition, I have read the information about application-level exam questions provided in Marie’s blog posts on application-level exam questions here and I have read all of the information regarding what will be covered on the exam that is provided here: Certified Clinical Lactationist™ Exam Content and Preparation.


I have three (3) opportunties to take and pass the CCL™ Certification Exam. The first Exam opportunity is free, and the second and third attempts will carry an additional fee. NO additional opportunities will be provided after the third attempt for ANY reason. It is my sole responsibility to ensure that I am able to complete the CCL™ Certification Exam in the time given and that my computer and Internet access will work properly for the duration of the exam.


Should I fail in my first attempt at the CCL™ Certification Exam, the second and third exams WILL NOT include the same questions. I should NOT attempt this exam for the second or third time without additional preparation. Lack of additional preparation will likely result in another failure and I will have no recourse should that occur.


This is a certification exam and, like other certification exams, I will receive a report on my performance based on disciplines, but no additional feedback about individual test items and/or answers will be provided.


I understand that my certification as a Certified Clinical Lactationist™ in no way qualifies me to give medical advice.


I have read, understand, and agree with the rules, terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Certified Clinical Lactationist™ Exam Rules, Terms and Conditions between Breastfeeding Outlook and the Certified Clinical Lactationist™ Candidate as outlined here: Certified Clinical Lactationist™ Exam Rules, Terms, and Conditions, incorporated herein.