Doula Certification

ICEA certified doulas are trained professionals who recognize birth as a key life experience. They attend and support the physical, emotional, and social needs of women in labor. In addition, they offer guidance and referrals to community resources regarding maternal self-care, lactation, and other issues pertinent to healthy parenting through the first six weeks postpartum.

If you are currently an ICEA certified educator (ICCE or ICPE), your steps to certification are:

  1. Complete the required reading list (see bottom of page)
  2. Verify attendance at an ICEA Doula and Labor Support Workshop OR verify attendance at ICEA contact hour approved doula training workshops of no less than 18 contact hours
  3. Complete six ICEA alternate contact hour program tests (provided by ICEA)
  4. Submit certification materials within one year of enrolling in the program

OR

If you are not currently an ICEA certified educator, your steps to certification are:

  1. Complete the required reading list (see bottom of page)
  2. Verify attendance at an ICEA Doula and Labor Support Workshop OR verify attendance at ICEA contact hour approved doula training workshops of no less than 18 contact hours
  3. Complete six ICEA alternate contact hour program tests (provided by ICEA)
  4. Audit at least one childbirth education or postpartum series taught by another educator
  5. Verify three labor support or postpartum support experiences
  6. Submit certification materials within one year of enrolling in the program

Estimated Costs for Certification

  • ICEA membership - $75 per year
  • Enrollment - $100
  • Contact hours - $300-$500 (approx)
  • Required readings - $172 (approx)

Support materials as well as the appropriate program forms needed to verify program requirements and ICEA alternate contact hours will be mailed to you within three weeks of receiving your application.

Required readings for this program are:

  • Family Centered Maternity Care, by Celeste Phillips (IC9441) $2.00
  • The Birth Partner A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions. 3rd edition (PB6106) $16.95
  • From Start to Finish... A Practical Guide for Your Labor Support Business, by Barbara Ross Ellis (ICPP29) $5.00
  • Special Women: The Role of the Professional Labor Assistant, by Polly Perez and Cheryl Snedeker (EP0707) $13.95
  • Maternity and Women's Health Care, by Lowdermilk, Perry and Bobak (ND0408) $88.95
  • The Doula Book, by Klaus, Klaus and Kennell (EP9347) $20.00
  • Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn, by Simkin, Whalley and Keppler (PB0185) $15.00
  • You and Your Newborn Baby, by Linda Todd (ID9346) $9.95

Purchase the required readings at the ICEA Bookcenter and receive a discount on the bundled set. Regularly $171.80 Sale $145.00