Doula Certification Renewals Requirements & application to keep your certification current

continuing education

Requirements

  • Complete 15 hours of approved continuing education in your specialty area within your certification period (1 hour of curriculum time = 1 contact hour). Provide proof of completion.
  • Confirm you have been active in the field as a doula, educator, or related service provider (volunteer work meets the definition of "active").
  • Confirm you agree to abide by Lifespan's Doula Scope of Practice and Code of Conduct.
  • Pay the renewal fee.
  • Submit your Renewal Application prior to the expiration date. (We recommend one month prior.)

Renewal Fees

Renew one certification ($125)
Renew two certifications ($200)
Renew three certifications ($300)
Complete the birth doula Renewal Application.
Complete the postpartum doula Renewal Application.
Complete the end-of-life doula Renewal Application.

Approved Continuing Education

A wide variety of trainings that enhance the doula's support skills and knowledge base are accepted, including attendance at conferences, workshops, doula trainings, and some webinars. Programs may be in-person or online (either live or self-paced format). See our Frequently Asked Questions below.

Proof/Documentation Required

The program must offer written proof of attendance/completion, in the form of a certificate or letter (on letterhead), containing the following information:

  • Name of the program
  • Name of the program provider/sponsoring organization
  • Length of program or number of contact hours earned
  • Your name
  • Completion date

Examples of approved programs

  • Any program offered by Lifespan Doulas (expanded options coming soon!)
  • Addition of another doula specialty training during the renewal period (e.g., you are a certified birth doula and you added postpartum training)
  • Another doula training offered by a different organization from the one used to qualify for certification
  • Any continuing education program approved for doula contact hours by another training organization
  • All programs related to the doula’s specialty and approved for nursing or social work contact hours; nursing CEUs must not be focused on the acquisition of clinical skills outside of the doula's scope (e.g., phlebotomy)
  • Any training approved for CERPS or other lactation credentials (birth/postpartum doulas only)
  • Doulas currently enrolled in higher education in a related field can use course credits as proof of continuing education provided the course builds support skills or covers knowledge relevant to the doula's specialty. Attach course syllabus as proof.
continuing education

Recommended Continuing Education

Birth & Postpartum Doulas

End-of-Life Doulas

All Doula Specialties

  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Grief and bereavement support
  • Newborn and infant loss, perinatal hospice
  • Doula business topics
  • HIPAA training
  • CPR (infant/child/adult)
  • Meeting the needs of special groups (e.g., teens, homeless, incarcerated, LBGT+)
  • Complementary therapies, holistic modalities (e.g., aromatherapy, Reiki)
  • Boundaries
  • Self-care

Alternative Continuing Education Contact Hours

Doulas may satisfy continuing education requirements in other ways including:

  • Hospice volunteer training, volunteer hours (EOLDs)
  • Doula volunteer training, volunteer hours (Birth/Postpartum)
  • Attending or leading a support group (e.g., La Leche League, postpartum family support, grief support)
  • Death Cafe facilitator (EOLDs)
  • Public speaking/community education engagements on relevant topic(s)
  • Publication of books, articles, research on relevant topic(s) you have authored

See Instructions for accepted forms of documentation. Participation in the above activities can also meet the requirement of being active as a doula. 

Money saving tips

Michigan's Medicaid enrolled doulas are eligible to receive up to $1500 reimbursement for approved trainings completed between October 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026 through Doula Rise.

Learn about the Doula Rise initiative.

  • Look for free continuing education online.
  • Birth and postpartum doulas can check with their state's Medicaid doula reimbursement program (if any). Many states offer free continuing education for doulas.
  • Consider an alternative continuing education option.
  • When re-certifying in more than one specialty, keep in mind that some contact hours can be used for two (or three) renewals if they meet the requirements (see #4 below).
  • The cost of continuing education is a tax-deductible business expense, including related travel costs. Track your mileage and save your receipts!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am past my renewal date. Now what?

We will grant you a one-month grace period to complete requirements and submit your renewal application without de-listing you as a certified doula on our website. However, you will not receive an updated certificate with a future expiration date until you complete the re-approval process. It is possible that your status as an approved provider through third parties (e.g., Carrot) could be at risk during the grace period.

Once you are one month past your renewal date, your certification has lapsed. You will be able to renew once you have met all requirements and paid the fee, provided your training was not more than ten years past. 

2. Can I switch back to my "lifetime certification" once I have chosen the renewal pathway?

No, we have discontinued the lifetime certification. Lifetime certification is limited to folks who became certified before November 2025 and/or who enrolled in a Lifetime Doulas' training program prior to November 2025 and prefer the lifetime pathway.

3. I registered for training prior to November 2025. Can I still get the lifetime certification?

Yes, you can opt for this choice on the certification application.

4. Can I use the same contact hours for more than one certification renewal?

Yes, you can double dip. Continuing education in the field of maternal-infant care will fulfill requirements for both birth and postpartum doulas. 

Topics pertinent to all doulas will be accepted as fulfillment across all specialties (birth, postpartum, end-of-life). Examples are listed above under Recommended Continuing Education for All Doula Specialties.

5. I completed continuing education, but do not have written proof of having done so.

You will need to reach out to the provider of the training for proof. A certificate or a letter on the organization's letterhead will suffice. It must include the information on the checklist above. We recommend that you collect proof of attendance shortly after completing the program as it can be problematic to track folks down after the fact.

Acceptable proof of alternative continuing education may include a screen shot of a published promo for hosting a Death Cafe or LLL support group with your contact information; a certificate of having completed hospice volunteer training; a letter from the hospice volunteer coordinator confirming volunteer activity; copy of a promotional piece for a speaking engagement; and so on.

Calculation of contact hours for a speaking engagement should be as follows: length of the speech x3 = number of contact hours earned (e.g., a 1-hour long presentation = 3 contact hours).

6. What if I cannot afford the renewal fee?

Certification is a cost of doing business as a doula so please plan your business expenses accordingly. However, we will consider a reduced fee or fee waiver for doulas in hardship. Email pa***@************as.com if you need special consideration. 

7. If I am renewing more than one certification, but not at the same time, can I still get the discount?

No. The multiple-renewal discount options are available because it is less work for us when you submit your applications at the same time.