Requirements for NABBLM Accreditation
List of NABBLM Accredited Programs
There are currently no NABBLM accredited programs. Application for program accreditation opens 12/1/24.
Pathway Requirements
The North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine (NABBLM) establishes the standards for eligibility for board certification in the field of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine (BFLM) and administers the certifying exam.
Educational requirements to practice evidence-based BFLM must be rigorous to ensure competency and quality in this emerging field. Applicants who choose to apply using the Fellowship or Alternate Pathways will need to complete an accredited program(s) in order to fulfill the eligibility requirements for board certification. Accredited programs will be assessed initially and every two years thereafter to ensure ongoing compliance. An accredited program is one that demonstrates:
- experienced BFLM physician leadership
- consistency in high quality programming that is for physicians at an evaluation and management level
- quality improvement processes to maintain excellent programming and consistency
- course content that is mapped to the NABBLM blueprint to achieve comprehensive education
- evaluation of learners’ competency
Accredited programs are listed on the NABBLM website and may use the NABBLM approved course seal on their website and marketing materials. NABBLM may revoke approval at any time at NABBLM’s discretion for failure to meet NABBLM’s standards. The NABBLM website is the most current resource regarding currently accredited programs.
Fellowship Program Requirements
General
Didactic education
Clinical skills
- Individual self assessment is part of the evaluation process
- Program will have a defined clinical hour requirement
- Evaluation will include a clinical skills checklist that covers the blueprint, and may include case logs, standardized patients/cases, direct evaluation of skills, and/or case discussion with mentors/assessors
Alternate Pathway Program Requirements
Comprehensive Course Requirements
General
Didactic education
Component Course Requirements
Educational providers may create a course to cover one of three sections of the blueprint. The sections are General Topics in BFLM, Advanced Topics in Infant/Child BFLM, and Advanced Topics in Maternal/Parental BFLM. Applicants will need to complete courses in each section and submit certificates in order to be eligible for board certification.
General
Didactic education
- General Topics in BFLM
- Advanced Topics in Infant/Child BFLM
- Advanced Topics in Maternal/Parent BFLM
Program Accreditation Application Process
The application for accreditation will open on December 1, 2024. We welcome the opportunity to review applications from any program that satisfies the aforementioned criteria. In order to apply, we will require submission of the following information:
- Sample of final evaluation that is individualized and ensures that each learner has completed their personal individualized self assessments, has completed required assignments, and demonstrated competency with all clinical skills (if applicable). Competency means that the individual is able to identify, evaluate, and refer if necessary.