Other students only take a sip, and later spit out the most carefully researched information presented by the most talented, brilliant teachers. The novices are often overwhelmed, the misinformed are challenged and sometimes threatened, and the skilled are reinforced in their beliefs. The biggest challenge as a teacher is to meet the needs of ALL of these students with patience, respect, integrity, and humor. Such is the nature of education. A license or certificate is one measure of assuring the public that the holder has competence in the material.
Licenses are the most restrictive and are issued by governmental entities.
Certificates are less restrictive and issued by various agencies, some of which are themselves certified by the National Organization for Competency Assessment. Some licenses and certificates require the candidate to complete an accredited course of study. Other professions do not have a required educational pathway. More is always better. Many of us, once we began practicing, quickly realize how much more there is to be known about lactation and breastfeeding - and how little we knew last year, five years ago, ten years ago.