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), your steps to certification are:

1. Complete the referenced 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 16 contact hours
3. 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 referenced 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 16 contact hours
3. Audit at least one childbirth education or postpartum series taught by another educator
4. Verify three labor support or postpartum support experiences
5. Submit certification materials within one year of enrolling in the program

Estimated Costs for Certification

• ICEA Membership - $95 per year
• Enrollment - $150
• Contact Hours (Training Workshop) - $300-$500 (approx)
• Referenced readings - $200 (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.

Training Outline

(Complete Outline Provided as Part of Enrollment Email Confirmation)

1. Introducing the Doula
2. Meeting Your Clients
3. Labor – An Overview
4. Labor – The Process
5. Comfort Measures, Coping Skills, and Pain Relief
6. Family Integration
7. Coping with the Unusual
8. Business Matters

Referenced Readings:

• The Birth Partner / by Simkin (2008)
• The Doula Book / by Klaus, Kennell, & Klaus (2012)
• Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn / by Simkin, Whalley, Keppler, Durham, & Bolding (2010)
• ICEA’s Guide to Pregnancy & Birth / by ICEA (2011)
• The Labor Progress Handbook / by Simkin & Ancheta (2011)
• Your Amazing Newborn / by Klaus & Klaus (2000)
• Beyond the Blues / by Bennett & Indman (2010)
• The Doula Business Guide / by Brennan (2010)
• The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding / by Wiessinger, West, & Pitman (2010)

Recertification

The Recertification Process

Forms And Guidelines: