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 an ICEA Certified Professional?
No, you do not need to be an ICEA Member. ICEA Benefits are automatically granted to all certification candidates that enroll in an ICEA Certification Program and all current ICEA Certified Professionals. These ICEA Benefits will ensure that all ICEA Certified Professionals have access to the latest news, education, and programs needed to support the families they serve.

How much does an ICEA Certification or ICEA Membership cost?
The costs for ICEA Certification, ICEA Membership, and other applicable fees are available on our ICEA Pricing and Fees page.

Does ICEA offer financial assistance to certification applicants? 
Those who are in financial need are encouraged to apply for a scholarship. Learn more about our scholarship program here.

Additionally, ICEA’s Equity 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 Equity 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). ICEA prices are listed as US Dollars, however the US Dollar is worth different amounts in different countries, therefore ICEA prices are equitable based on which country individuals live in. 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?
No, you will need to enroll through the traditional pathway and take an ICEA Certifying Workshop. To enroll in an ICEA Certification Program through the experienced pathway you must have held an equivalent certification from an ICEA approved program within the last two years, under which you were actively teaching/practicing for a minimum of two years. This is to ensure ICEA Certified Professionals have received a high standard of education , and to maintain the international respect currently granted to ICEA Certified Professionals.

What can I do if there is not an ICEA Certification Workshop in my area?
Online Childbirth Educator and Birth Doula Workshops are now available! You can learn more about the online ICEA Certifying Childbirth Educator Workshop and the online ICEA Certifying Birth Doula Workshop under the Education tab on our website. You are also welcome to take these workshops for CEUs. 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 or someone who is currently an ICEA Certifying Candidate. It is the responsibility of the ICEA Certifying Exam Applicant to secure their own proctor. 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 currently offers its exams in English 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 my exam date?
You may change your exam date or time up to 15 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, subsequent exams will be charged a fee based on geographic location (equity pricing). Once retake exam fee is paid 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. An ICEA Certification Candidate may retake the exam as many times as necessary within one year of the first fail date, providing each subsequent retake exam is paid for and repeat guidelines are followed. Examinations ruled invalid will be treated as failed examinations and the candidate will have one year to retake the examination per guidelines.

How do I get a refund?
ICEA has a no refund policy, which is clearly stated before you are able to make any purchases: “By completing this purchase you are acknowledging that this is a non-refundable payment, and you accept full responsibility for choosing to make this purchase.”

Whose responsibility is it to keep track of my certification expiration date?
Each individual ICEA Certified Professional 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 individuals should not only rely on these reminders to keep track of their certification expiration dates. Each ICEA Certified Professional is solely responsible for maintaining their own certification.  At any time individuals 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 ICEA Certified Professional is responsible for maintaining their own certification and keeping records of their own continuing education hours.  ICEA audits recertification packets on a regular basis.  When a recertification packet is audited, in order to maintain their certification that audited 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. If the ICEA Certified Professional is unable to provide adequate verification of their recertification requirements when audit there will be consequences up to and including loosing their certification.

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 Certified Professional 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 an extension the Extension Request Form must be filled out and returned by email/fax/mail to the ICEA Office, along with the $75 extension fee. The ICEA Out 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 Certified Professional needs to go inactive, before their certification expires they will be required to:

• Pay an inactive fee
• Continue to maintain the requirement of 24 CEUs 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 maximum period of three years. At the end of three years the individual needs to either become active by paying their recertification fee and verifying their 24 CEUs within the last 3 years, or forfeit their certification.

Once a person has indicated that they want to return to active status there will be a probationary period not to exceed six months in which they can teach at least one class (preferably a minimum of six hours). Upon approval of continuing education and the completed class they may be reinstated to active status.

What can I do if I let my certification expire?
1) If a prior ICEA Certified Professional’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 $115 late fee
•  and pay their usual recertification fee

2) If a prior ICEA Certified Professional’s certification has expired past 12 months but under 2 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 a prior ICEA Certified Professional’s certification has expired past 2 years 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.

I enrolled in an ICEA Certification Program before 20 July 2017, do I have different procedures to follow?
ICEA is thrilled to announce that our updated, streamlined certification process was officially launched on 20 July 2017. If you enrolled before this date your enrollment is still valid and you do not need to switch to the new program. If you have any questions you may contact the ICEA Office at info@icea.org.