Licensure of healthcare professionals, such as Lactation Consultants, occurs at the state level.

Licensure is the means by which a state legislature sets the minimum standards of education and training for individuals to engage in the “scope of practice” that legislatures set for particular healthcare profession. The state then issues easily identifiable licenses to qualified persons to ensure public protection. Licensure further protects citizens by providing an avenue for the individual consumer to challenge the competency of a licensed individual. A matter of constitutional law, states may not license occupations or professions unless they determine that licensure is reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of its citizens.