Doula Certification Earn Professional Doula Certification with Lifespan Doulas

Certification Essentials

Updated November 1, 2025

  • Certification is included in the training fee.
  • The certification period is for three years after which re-certification is required.
  • Re-certification will require evidence of continuing education and a fee. Details are in process and will be published soon.
  • Payment plans for training must be paid in full before certification will be issued.

Credentials Earned

  • CBD (Certified Birth Doula)
  • CPD (Certified Postpartum Doula)
  • CEOLD (Certified End-of-Life Doula)

Is this certification approved for 3rd party reimbursement in the U.S.?

  • Our certification is accepted by Carrot (fertility benefits reimbursing for birth and postpartum doula services).
  • Our certification may or may not be accepted by various state-administered Medicaid systems. Each state is different and some states do not provide Medicaid coverage for doulas.
  • We are Medicaid approved in Arizona, California, Michigan, and Rhode Island.

Learn more about doulas and Medicaid reimbursement.

Timeline for Application Processing

Our turn-around time to process applications is two weeks. We have been getting many urgent requests to fast track the process due to doulas seeking approval from Carrot. We are simply not able to meet this need at this time. I am truly sorry, but please understand you are not the exception to this policy.

Doula Certification Requirements

Required for All Specialties

  • Candidate must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Candidate must have a high school diploma or equivalency, or higher education.

Birth Doula Certification

Complete the four self-paced study modules.

  • Doula Fundamentals
  • Childbirth Education Basics
  • Birth Doula Support Skills
  • Breastfeeding Basics for Doulas

Read three books.

  • The Birth Partner, 5th Edition, by Penny Simkin
  • Natural Hospital Birth, 2nd Edition, by Cynthia Gabriel
  • The Doula Business Guide, 4th Edition, by Patty Brennan

+ Two More Steps

  • Sign Agreement to Abide by the Doula Scope of Practice.
  • Pass the online certification exam.
Download Birth Doula Certification Instructions

Postpartum Doula Certification

Complete the four self-paced study modules.

  • Doula Fundamentals
  • Postpartum Doula Support Skills
  • Breastfeeding Basics for Doulas
  • Breastfeeding Support Skills for Doulas

Read three books.

  • Depression in New Mothers, 3rd Edition, by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett
  • The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, 8th Edition revised, by Wiessinger, West, and Pitman
  • The Doula Business Guide, 4th Edition, by Patty Brennan

+ Two More Steps

  • Sign Agreement to Abide by the Doula Scope of Practice.
  • Pass the online certification exam.
Download Postpartum Doula Certification Instructions

End-of-Life Doula Certification

Complete the self-paced study modules.

  • Become an End-of-Life Doula (combination of Doula Fundamentals and EOLD Basics) OR
  • Doula Fundamentals AND
  • End-of-Life Doula Support Skills

Read three books.

  • Accompanying the Dying, by Deanna Cochran
  • Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande
  • Stepping Stones, by Ellie Atherton

+ Two More Steps

  • Sign Agreement to Abide by the Doula Scope of Practice.
  • Pass the online certification exam.
Download End-of-Life Doula Certification Instructions

"Thank you for the wonderful reading material you have introduced me to. I did not expect in the least to feel so moved and intrigued by these books. The content is not only preparing me to help the dying but also myself. I am surprised and pleased by the great range of emotions that these readings are bringing up in me." 
—Olga Galego, Ann Arbor, MI
 
"I have never in my life learned so much by taking a test! The correct answers to the questions I missed are now firmly in my mind. As with every other part of the End-of-Life Doula course, this test was well thought out to provide the maximum amount of learning for us."
—Jennifer Schwarz, Honaunau, HI
 
"The certification exam was a much needed review of content. So essential to a becoming a well rounded and productive doula. Highly recommended."
—Linda Miller, Detroit, MI
 
"I felt the exam questions were an appropriate and challenging reflection of what was learned in the course."

—Jessica Smith, Kenai, AK