Certified Childbirth Educator Certification

ICEA now offers a special certification program for childbirth educators who are or have been certified by another organization and wish to become ICEA certified.

Steps to Certification

Candidates enroll in the program and must complete the following within one year:

1. Become an ICEA member or maintain your membership.
2. Submit proof of current or prior certification with another organization along with the enrollment form
3. Submit all required materials, apply for and pass the certification examination.

There is no fee to enroll in the program; however, educator must be an ICEA member or include the ICEA membership fee when they enroll. In addition, proof of current or prior certification with another organization must be included with the enrollment form. Educators enrolling in this program may purchase the ICEA study guides CD for $30 (US) at the time of enrollment. The study guides CD will help educators prepare for the certification examination. Once an educator has enrolled in the program she will be sent information on taking the ICEA certification examination. Educators have one year from the date of enrollment to take the examination. The examination fee is $200, unless taken at ICEA's annual convention; as a convention registrant the fee is $99. Recertification is required every four years.

Study Guides

While completing the prerequisites for the certification examination, candidates use the objectives contained in the study guides for self-paced, independent study. Each objective contains an overview, content outlines, key concepts, references, and required position statements and articles. Each section contains extensive objectives and are divided into the following ten subject areas:

• Part I - Family-Centered Maternity Care (FCMC) and the Role of the Childbirth Educator
• Part II - Anatomy&Physiology of Preconception, Conception and Pregnancy
• Part III - Nutrition for the Childbearing Year and Infant Feeding
• Part IV - Psychosocial/Emotional Changes in Pregnancy, Abuse Issues
• Part V - Labor and Birth
• Part VI - Labor Coping Skills
• Part VII - Obstetrical Tests and Procedures
• Part VIII - Cesarean Birth and Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
• Part IX - Postpartum and the Newborn
• Part X - Teaching Skills

Estimated Costs for ICEA Certification

• ICEA Membership - $75 per year
• Study Guides CD - $30 (optional)
• Certification Examination Fee - $200

Forms And Guidelines