Everything You Need to Know About Doula Certification
Should I get certified?! Do I need to get certified?! Doulas have lots of options when it comes to training and certification. As of this writing in 2023, doula work is not currently regulated by a unified body. Thus, there is a ton of variation from program to program; it’s also why folks get to choose whether or not they want to certify at all.
At BADT, we honor everyone’s unique birth work journey, AND we are excited about our certification program! This article will answer some FAQs about our full-spectrum doula program and highlight some of the benefits of choosing to get certified.
We’ve acknowledged this many times in the past, and today is another opportunity to honor the origins of this work. Today, doulas typically go through training(s) and sometimes choose to get certified. That said, we honor the elders and community members from so many different cultures and lineages that taught us how to witness, attend, and be with others through life transitions.
Growing and learning in community is an age-old practice, and we hold this close at BADT.
Benefits of Getting Certified as a Doula
You can learn a lot in the process! At BADT, our certification track is comprehensive and includes reading, applying knowledge to projects, building resource lists, hands-on experience, and more. Additionally, because we are doing this in community, there are lots of opportunities to learn from fellow participants. While we enjoy the classroom learning experience so much, we see tons of value in the self-paced assignments and research that are part of the certification path.
Some hospitals require certification. Since the start of the pandemic, some hospitals have become more stringent about who is allowed in birth rooms, for example. Certification may allow you a bit more certainty and ease in navigating the medical industrial complex.
Clients may be able to get insurance reimbursement, or you may get paid by medicaid. Some insurance policies will cover and reimburse clients for birth doula services, specifically, and it’s highly likely that they’d require families to work with certified doulas. As of this writing in December 2023, there are several states that have implemented medicaid benefits, and several others that are in the process. Find details here, and we encourage you to learn about what’s happening in your state.
Certification provides motivation for continued learning. Some certification programs require continuing education (CE) to maintain status. While BADT does not require it, we always encourage intentional, continued training. We currently offer six different CE courses including Abortion Doula (US and Canada), Birth and Disability, Queer and Trans Reproductive Support, and Supporting People Who Use Drugs and Those In Recovery
You may have increased web presence. Some organizations list certified doulas on their websites, and this can be a more passive form of marketing. The BADT directory, for example, helps birthing folks find doulas in their local area; we list doulas in training, as well as certified doulas.
FAQs and Recap about BADT Certification
Do you offer certification? We offer certification for our 12-week training programs.
Do I need to certify? Certification is always optional.
Is there a cost to certify? No extra cost beyond the cost of the 12-week training.
Will I need to re-certify at some point? No! When you train and certify with Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings, you are certified for life! We offer continued education opportunities for our community of students in order to ensure the integrity of their ongoing study.
Is your training accredited? Doula work is not currently regulated in a way in which there is one certifying, licensing, or accrediting body. Therefore, all certifying orgs (BADT, Doula Trainings International, DONA, etc.) are stand-alone. You will be a BADT C-FSD if you certify through our full-spectrum doula training, and a BADT C-CBE if you certify through our childbirth educator training.
Considerations for Certification Programs
If you are interested in seeking certification with BADT or any other training program, these are a few things to consider and look into.
Accommodations: Find out what the program offers and how they can support you in getting what you need.
Timeline: How long do you have to complete certification? Is there an option for extension if you need it? Are
Cost: Is there an extra cost to certify? If so, is that recurring or one-time?
Join Us in Community
We’d love for you to join us in the BADT community! Sign up for our email list if you’re a birth worker or aspiring birth worker, so you’ll be first to hear about new courses, open enrollment periods, and scholarship opportunities.