GENERAL QUESTIONS

What sets ICEA’s certifications apart from other certifications in the childbirth education or the doula field?
ICEA is your one-stop shop where you can get all of your maternal-child health certifications at an affordable price.

We pride ourselves on the ability to offer the programs that are most widely and easily available to maternal-child health professionals around the world. Most importantly, we believe success is found in following our core values:

• COMPASSION: We believe approaching maternity care with compassion and a nurturing spirit improves birth outcomes for all families.
• COLLABORATION: We practice a culture of collaboration based on the knowledge that mindful engagement with diverse groups advances positive, family-centered maternity care.
• CHOICE: We support freedom of choice by training professionals committed to empowering expectant families through informed decision making.

Do I have to be an ICEA member to become certified?
ICEA membership is automatically granted to all certification candidates that enroll in our programs, when they become certified through our exam, and in the recertification process. All certification candidates enrolling in our programs are given up to two years to complete the necessary requirements, and, therefore, are granted up to two years of ICEA membership.  Additionally, all certified childbirth educators and doulas passing an ICEA exam or those seeking recertification will be given three years of membership to accompany their credential. This membership will ensure that all ICEA childbirth educators and doulas have access to the latest news, education, and programs needed to support the families they serve.

Does ICEA offer financial assistance to certification applicants? 
There are no scholarships available at this time.  However, ICEA’s pricing structure is a reflection of our goal to improve birth outcomes for all families in the international community. All pricing is based on data provided by the World Bank based on Gross National Income (GNI).

Why are the prices for country categories B-D so much cheaper than category A?
ICEA’s membership pricing structure is a reflection of our goal to improve birth outcomes for all families in the international community. All prices are based on the World Bank data for Gross National Income (GNI). The dollar is worth different amounts in different countries, so ICEA prices are equitable depending on the location of the member. Find your country’s category here.

If I want to transfer my certification from another organization, which organizations’ certifications are accepted through the ICEA Experienced pathways?
To qualify to apply for the experienced certification pathway for any of the ICEA certification programs, you must be certified through Lamaze International or DONA International and have been actively teaching/practicing for a minimum of two years.  Other certification programs are currently being evaluated.

If I do not have a certification with another organization, but I have been serving in my maternal-child health field for several years, can I enroll in the experienced pathway?
In order to ensure high-standard programs, ICEA believes that you must have previously obtained a certification from a recognized program to enroll through an experienced pathway, and have been actively teaching/practicing for a minimum of two years. Otherwise, you need to enroll through a traditional pathway and an ICEA workshop to ensure you are abiding by ICEA standards.

What can I do if there is not an ICEA Certification Workshop in my area?
If you are considering the childbirth educator or birth doula certifications, there are online workshop options that will be available starting October or November 2018. If you are considering the postpartum doula certification, or do not wish to take an online workshop for the childbirth educator or birth doula certifications, then you may reach out to an ICEA Approved Trainer to see if they may consider bringing a workshop to your local area.

Where and when are the exams given?
ICEA exams are taken online at a public facility of your choice with a confirmed proctor. You also choose the day and time of your exam that best fits your schedule.

What are the requirements for a proctor?
Proctors cannot be a family member, friend, or fellow ICEA certification candidate. Many people request to use their employer or a librarian at a public library.

Can I take the exam in another language besides English?
ICEA offers its exams in English, Spanish, and Chinese (Mandarin). Please let the ICEA office know if you need a translated exam or if you need the exam in a different language than mentioned here.

What if I need to change or cancel my exam date?
You may change or cancel your exam up to 10 days prior to the scheduled exam date.  Please contact the ICEA office at info@icea.org to make the appropriate arrangements.

How will I receive my exam results?
All ICEA examinations are taken online, therefore, candidates will immediately know their results upon completion. Each candidate will also receive an email from the ICEA Office within 1-2 business days of completing the exam with further details and information.

Can I retake the exam if I do not pass it the first time?
In the event a candidate fails the exam, ICEA will send the candidate a new examination application via email to retake the test. These candidates will have up to one year in which to pass the examination. They may retake the examination as many times as necessary within one year of the first fail date, providing repeat guidelines are followed and ICEA membership is maintained. Examinations ruled invalid will be treated as failed examinations and the candidate will have one year to retake the examination per guidelines. Each subsequent exam will be charged a fee based on geographic location. Please contact the ICEA Office for more information at info@icea.org.

Whose responsibility is it to keep track of my certification expiration date?
Each individual member is responsible for maintaining their own certification and knowing their certification expiration date.  The ICEA office sends out reminder emails when certifications are near expiration, but due to technical issues that may arise members should not only rely on these reminders to keep track of their certification expiration dates, and each member is solely responsible for maintaining their own certification.  At any time members are welcome to contact the ICEA office to inquire about their expiration date, and they can expect a response within 48 business hours.

Whose responsibility is it to keep track of my continuing education hours?
Each individual member is responsible for maintaining their own certification and keeping records of their own continuing education hours.  ICEA audits their recertification packets on a regular basis.  When a member’s recertification packet is audited, in order to maintain their certification that individual is responsible for providing ICEA with copies of certificates and other documentation proving that they obtained the continuing education hours listed in their recertification packet.

What options do I have if I know I won’t be able to complete my recertification requirements by the time my certification expires?
An ICEA member may apply for a single 6-month extension of the recertification deadline in order to complete the requirements. The application for an extension and $75 extension fee must be received before the recertification application deadline and the certification expiration date. To apply for the extension the Extension Request Form must be filled out and returned by email/fax/mail to the ICEA Certification Coordinator, along with the $75 extension fee, and a written request emailed to info@icea.org stating why the extension is needed. The ICEA Certification Coordinator will respond in writing via email that the extension has been granted. The extension is only for submitting the recertification application. The next certification period expiration date is based on the date of initial certification.

If I have a personal situation come up, how do I make my certification inactive?
If an ICEA member needs to go inactive, at the time of renewal they will be required to:

• Pay an inactive fee
• Continue to maintain the requirement of 24 contact hours every 3 years.
• NOT teach Childbirth Classes or act in the role of a Birth Doula/Postpartum Doula.
• NOT use their credentials for Childbirth Education, Birth Doula or Postpartum Doula.
• This inactive status is for a period of three years. At the end of three years the member needs to either become active or forfeit their certification.

What can I do if I let my certification expire?
1) If an ICEA member’s certification has expired up to 12 months past their rectification date, the individual will be required to:

•  update their contact hours to meet the requirement of 24 contact hours in 3 years
•  pay a late fee of half of the standard renewal fee for membership and certification
•  and pay a renewal fee for membership and certification.

2) If an ICEA member’s certification has expired past 12 months but under 3 years from their recertification date, the individual will be required to use the experienced pathway to obtain current certification. The reinstated certification period begins when the individual has passed the certification examination.

3) If an ICEA member’s certification has expired past 3 years (at least one certification cycle) from their recertification date, the individual will be required to use the traditional pathway to obtain current certification.  If the individual has an active certification with an ICEA approved organization, and has been actively teaching/practicing for a minimum of two years, they may utilize the experienced pathway. The reinstated certification period begins when the individual has passed the certification examination.

QUESTIONS CONCERNING ICEA’S NEW CERTIFICATION PROCESS

ICEA is thrilled to announce that the new certification process was officially launched on July 20, 2017.

ICEA is now your one-stop shop where you can get all of your maternal-child health certifications at an affordable price!

If you would like to view the general changes to each program, please visit our blog. If you are currently certified through ICEA, expect to see an email 90 days prior to your certification expiration with the correct fees listed. As always, you can contact info@icea.org with any questions.

How will the new process affect the membership I already have?
Because recertification and member renewal dates did not always line up, it was difficult for members and certificants to keep track of various expiration dates. To simplify the process, membership and certification are now bundled together and membership is granted with all certification phases.

If you have a current membership, then it is still valid until its expiration date. On your renewal date, you will be requested to pay a prorated dues fee to carry your membership through the end of your current certification cycle. Expect to see an email 90 days prior to your certification expiration with the correct fees listed. As always, you can contact info@icea.org with any questions.

If I have already enrolled in an ICEA certification program, is that enrollment still valid?
Yes, your enrollment is still valid and you do not need to do anything to switch to the new program.

If I enrolled prior to July 20, 2017, do I follow these new requirements or the requirements that I enrolled under?
Ideally, we would like for everyone to follow the new certification requirements as ICEA’s Board of Directors feel these are the requirements needed to ensure high-standard programs. However, if you enrolled prior to July 20, 2017, and cannot meet all of the new requirements, then you will only need to fulfill the requirements you enrolled under. Please contact the ICEA office for more specific information regarding the previous requirements.

The costs seem higher and different than when I enrolled, will I need to pay the difference?
The new fees are actually lower and more cost-effective. Under the old process, members paid an enrollment fee and annual membership fees. Because these fees were paid separately, the old processes seemed cheaper because it was broken up into numerous payments. During the transition period, prices reflected on the website for recertification are not necessarily equivalent to the fees that will be requested from you. Expect to see an email 90 days prior to your certification expiration with the correct fees listed. As always, you can contact info@icea.org with any questions.

I previously enrolled in the certification program, what do I need to do to switch over to the new streamlined process?
You do not need to do anything.

Will my current expiration date change with the new, streamlined process?
No, your enrollment and certification deadlines are still the same. If your membership has expired, then the ICEA office will contact you to make renewal arrangements.