Postpartum Doula Certification

Welcome to the ICEA Postpartum Doula Certification program.  Regardless of your background, you will find that each part of the ICEA Postpartum Doula Certification program will expand your current level of knowledge and skills to be the best postpartum doula you can be.  You will see that the ICEA Certified Postpartum Doula requirements are a means of documenting the journey every postpartum doula should achieve to maintain and update family support skills following a birth.  An ICEA Certified Postpartum Doula (ICPD) is internationally recognized as a professional doula in every sense of the word.  You can proudly use the ICPD credentials anywhere.

Getting Started:

1. Enroll in the program and become a member if you have not already done so.
2. Begin accomplishing each of the steps to certification as described below.
3. Upon completion, submit your final application, all required forms, and include your application fee to the ICEA Main Office

Administrative Costs/Fees

• Enrollment $150.00
• Membership $95.00
• Certification Final Application $100.00
• Postpartum Doula Workshop and the Required Readings are Additional Costs

Steps To Certification

1. Be at least 18 years old
2. Maintain ICEA membership
3. Proof of attendance at an approved ICEA workshop (All printable materials involving workshop contents, agenda, syllabus & sessions outline will be made available upon enrolling in the Postpartum Doula Certification Program) 
4. Proof of Infant/Child CPR training
5. Proof of attendance at a Baby Care Class
6. Proof of attendance at a Breastfeeding Class taught by a certified professional (IBCLCs may skip this requirement)
7. 3 client evaluations (12 hours each)
8. 2 letters of recommendation from birth professionals (on letterhead)
9. Reading List and Scope of Practice signed
10. Birth and Postpartum Community Resource List enclosed (at least 15 resources)
11. Mentoring Meeting documentation
12. Survey and Questionnaire completed
13. Must be completed within 2 years of the original date of enrollment.

Required Readings For This Program Are:

• Doulas’ Guide to Birthing Your Way:  Mallak and Bailey
• Mothering the New Mother:  Placksin
• Father’s First Steps: 25 Things Every New Dad Should Know:  Sears and Sears
• Postpartum Depression for Dummies:  Bennett and Codey
• Breastfeeding Made Simple:  Morbacher and Kendall-Tackett
• The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers:  Newman
• Mothering Multiples:  Kerkoff Gromada
• The Baby Book:  Sears
• The Happiest Baby on the Block:  Karp
• ICEA’s Guide to Pregnancy & Birth. Published 2011

Recertification:

Recertification is every four (4) years at a cost of $100.00 in addition to maintaining your yearly ICEA membership at $75 per year.  In addition, evaluations from 3 clients and 16.0 contact hours related to the field of childbirth within that 4 year period are required for successful recertification.

Required Verification Forms For Program Completion: