Lamaze Credential is More Accessible With New, Expanded Certification Eligibility Criteria

Lamaze International is pleased to introduce expanded eligibility criteria for our three pathways to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE). Now a broader array of educators and prospective educators can align themselves with Lamaze, the only NCCA-accredited childbirth educator certification. Pregnant women and their families throughout the world recognize Lamaze as the market leader in quality childbirth education.

The new eligibility requirements apply to the April 22 certification exam administration and all subsequent exam dates.

Three pathways offer alternatives based on the candidate’s level of experience and education acquired through multiple sources. For the first time, candidates new to the field have alternative adult learning opportunities that make Lamaze certification more accessible than ever.
Now, new educators may qualify to sit for the Lamaze certification exam in one of two ways. Candidates may qualify by:
* Attending a Lamaze Accredited Childbirth Educator Seminar;

* Completing a self-study from the Lamaze Childbirth Educator Study Guide; and

* Documenting practice teaching with a mentor/observer.
Or, new educators may qualify to sit for the exam after:
* Successfully completing another formal course on teaching childbirth education (including ICEA, Bradley, Birthing from Within, Birth Works, CAPPA, Childbirth International);

* Providing documentation of 25 contact hours of continuing education in the past three years or completing the four Lamaze Childbirth Education Learning modules (available July 1, 2010); and

* Documentation of practice teaching with a mentor/observer.

Lamaze International also welcomes experienced educators to join the ranks of the LCCE Educators, who may qualify by providing documentation of:

* A license as a health care professional (i.e., RN, PT, MD), a Bachelor’s degree or higher, or completion of a childbirth educator formal course;

* 25 applicable and approved continuing education hours within the past three years, attendance of a Lamaze Childbirth Educator Seminar, or completing the four Lamaze Childbirth Education Learning modules (available July 1, 2010); and

* 60 hours of childbirth education teaching experience in the past three years, revised from the 144 hours in the past five years.
Midwives and midwifery students continue to qualify to sit for the exam by attending a one-day Fast Track for Midwives or a Lamaze Childbirth Educator Seminar. Now they can also qualify by providing documentation of:
* Completion of another formal course on teaching childbirth education, including ICEA, Bradley, Birthing from Within, Birth Works, CAPPA, Childbirth International

* 25 contact hours of continuing education in the past three years or completing the four Lamaze Childbirth Education Learning modules (available July 1, 2010.)
More details on these pathways can be found on our Web site, http://www.lamaze.org/.
To earn the LCCE credential, candidates must successfully pass the Lamaze Childbirth Educator Certification Exam, which is internationally recognized as a comprehensive test of the competencies of a childbirth educator. The Lamaze Certification Exam carries the mark of excellence by earning accreditation by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA) for meeting its rigorous standards for the accreditation of certification programs. Candidates interested in taking the exam must submit their application and exam fees to the Lamaze Administrative office by the prescribed deadline.

Important
Prepare for the Exam—enhance your knowledge and performance, and obtain contact hours by using the new 2010 edition of the Lamaze Study Guide, the Exam Prep Course and other educational programs. For more details, call our Administrative Office at 202-367-1128, or e-mail certification@lamaze.org.
Additional information about the Lamaze approach to pregnancy, birth and parenting, and the competencies of a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator can be found at www.lamaze.org or by contacting the Lamaze Administrative Office at 202-367-1128 or certification@lamaze.org.