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 or ICPE), your steps to certification are:

1. Complete the required 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. Complete six ICEA alternate contact hour program tests (provided by ICEA)
4. 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 required 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. Complete six ICEA alternate contact hour program tests (provided by ICEA)
4. Audit at least one childbirth education or postpartum series taught by another educator
5. Verify three labor support or postpartum support experiences
6. Submit certification materials within one year of enrolling in the program

Estimated Costs for Certification

• ICEA Membership - $75 per year
• Enrollment - $100
• Contact Hours (Training Workshop) - $300-$500 (approx)
• Required 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.

Required readings for this program are:

• The Birth Partner-Revised 3rd Edition: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions, by Simkin (2008)
• From Start to Finish... A Practical Guide for Your Labor Support Business, by Ellis (1992)
• Special Women: The Role of the Professional Labor Assistant, by Perez & Snedeker (2000)
• Maternity & Women's Health Care, by Lowdermilk, Perry, Cashion, & Alden (2011)
• The Doula Book: How A Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have A Shorter, Easier, And Healthier Birth, by Klaus, Kennell, & Klaus (2002)
• Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn, by Simkin, Whalley, Keppler, Durham, & Bolding (2010)
• You and Your Newborn Baby: A Guide to the First Months After Birth, by Todd (1993)
• ICEA’s Guide to Pregnancy & Birth (2011)

Purchase the required readings at the ICEA Bookcenter and receive a discount on the bundled set.

Regular/Non-Member Price: $235.00
Sale/Member Price: $205.00

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Forms And Guidelines: