TRADITIONAL CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION

The traditional program is designed for childbirth educators with less than two years experience. Candidates enroll in the program and receive the study guides. Candidates must complete the following prerequisites within two years of enrolling in the program:

• Observe a minimum of two labors or births
  
• Acquire a minimum of eighteen ICEA contact hours
  
• Successfully complete an evaluated teaching series

Candidates then apply for the certification examination which they must take within one year.

Labor and Birth Observations

Candidates observe a minimum of two labors or births. The observations provide an opportunity for the program candidate, regardless of professional background, to increase knowledge of the uniqueness and complex simplicity of birth and to assess and learn from the reactions of the woman and her partner.

Evaluated Teaching Series

The evaluated teaching component of the program is designed to assess the candidate's teaching ability, ascertain advocacy of concepts supported by ICEA, and determine that teaching is based on ICEA philosophy. The series to be evaluated must be a minimum of twelve hours. The primary objective for the series must be preparation for childbirth. It is the responsibility of the candidate to set up his/her own teaching opportunity. The program does not provide a set curriculum or access to potential clients.

The evaluator is chosen by the candidate and must be a current ICEA member with at least twelve consecutive months of membership and be active in the field of childbirth education. Any ICEA Certified Childbirth Educator (ICCE) with a current ICEA membership is also considered to be a qualified evaluator. Candidates should check the membership status of their evaluator with the ICEA Central Office prior to any evaluated series. Any payment to the evaluator is arranged privately between the candidate and the evaluator.

On-site, audio or video taped evaluations, or any combination may be used. ICEA provides the forms the evaluator uses to assess each class session, examine the teaching plan and outlines, and to evaluate the educator's strengths and areas of weakness. Self-evaluation and parent evaluation forms are also included.

The ICEA Central Office maintains a list of evaluators willing to work via audio, video tape or on-site, as well as a list of evaluators fluent in languages other than English. Candidates must contact ICEA for a copy of these lists.