Certified Lactation Support Specialist™ (CLSS™)

About the CLSS™ Credential

The Certified Lactation Support Specialist™ (CLSS™) credential demonstrates to colleagues, clients, and the public that certified professionals have achieved a verified level of knowledge, applied skill, and ethical conduct in the field of lactation support. CLSS™ certificants earn this distinction through a combination of education, demonstrated competencies, professional integrity, and examination, showing they are equipped to provide within-scope, evidence-based lactation support across the perinatal continuum.

Purpose of the CLSS™ Certification

The CLSS™ certification was developed to address gaps in the perinatal workforce by strengthening access to consistent, within-scope lactation support. It ensures that professionals providing non-clinical lactation education and support are trained to:

• Offer evidence-based guidance on normal lactation and newborn feeding behaviors.
• Provide accessible education and anticipatory support during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
• Recognize when families require clinical assessment and facilitate appropriate referral.
• Collaborate with lactation professionals and healthcare providers to support continuity of care.
• Uphold ethical standards, professional boundaries, and cultural humility.

Role of the CLSS™ Professional

CLSS™ certificants provide accessible, evidence-based lactation education and support for families throughout the prenatal and postpartum periods. Their work centers on empowering families, offering practical guidance, reinforcing normal feeding processes, and maintaining clear scope boundaries while collaborating with lactation professionals and healthcare providers when clinical care is needed.
CLSS™ Scope of Practice 
CLSS™ Code of Ethics

Who the CLSS™ Certification Is Designed For

The CLSS™ certification is designed for professionals who provide education and support in perinatal and early-family settings, including:

• Doulas (birth and postpartum)
• Midwives and midwifery assistants
• Nurses and nursing students
• Childbirth educators
• Peer counselors
• Community health workers
• Public health professionals
• Early childhood and family educators
• Other allied perinatal professionals interested in expanding lactation support skills 

CLSS™ Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for CLSS™ certification, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Completion of an approved training program in lactation support or an equivalent education pathway
• Active standing in a perinatal or lactation support role
• Recent experience supporting families with lactation
• Current CPR or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Successful completion of the CLSS™ Certification Examination

(This is a summary. Full eligibility requirements can be found in the CLSS™ Candidate Handbook.)

What Sets CLSS™ Apart from Other Lactation Certifications

• Built on clearly defined competencies aligned with real-world lactation support practice
• Emphasizes within-scope, ethical, non-clinical lactation support
• Reinforces collaboration and referral to lactation professionals and healthcare providers
• Requires verified training, professional standing, and examination
• Supports equitable access and nondiscriminatory certification practices