Doula Certification Renewals Requirements & application to keep your certification current

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 that your training was not more than ten years past. 

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.

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

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. 

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).

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. Reach out to pa***@************as.com if you need special consideration. 

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