Cross Certification with Lifespan Doulas Did you train with another organization? Cross Certification offers an opportunity to earn professional certification with us.

Eligibility for Cross Certification

Cross Certification is for anyone who completed professional doula training:

  • With another trainer or organization OR
  • With Patty Brennan prior to May 2021 (Birth/Postpartum Doulas) OR
  • With Lifespan Doulas prior to March 2020 (EOL Doulas)

See specific requirements for each doula specialty below.

Credentials Earned

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

Our certification is accepted by Carrot (fertility benefits reimbursing for birth and postpartum doula services).

Cost = $125 (one-time payment; choose your specialty below)

Earn your professional certification for life (no renewal required), plus a one-year listing in our Doula Directory.

Timeline for Application Processing

Our normal turn-around time to process applications is two weeks. We have been getting many requests to urgently fast track the process and are now charging an additional fee for this option, with a promised turn-around time of 48 hours Monday through Friday.

Purchase Expedited Application
$50

Cross Certification Requirements ~ Choose your specialty.

Pre-Requisites for All Specialties

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

Cross Certification for Birth Doulas

Complete birth doula training and pass certification exam.

  • Your birth doula training must be at least 16 hours in length.
  • A minimum of 3 hours of training in Breastfeeding is required.
  • Pass our self-paced online exam with a score of 85% or more.

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

+ One More Step

  • Sign Agreement to Abide by the Doula Scope of Practice.

Download Birth Doula Cross Certification Instructions

Purchase Birth Doula Cross Certification
$125

Cross Certification for Postpartum Doulas

Complete postpartum doula training and pass certification exam.

  • Your postpartum doula training must be at least 16 hours in length.
  • Pass our self-paced online exam with a score of 85% or more.

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

+ One More Step

  • Sign Agreement to Abide by the Doula Scope of Practice.

Download Postpartum Doula Cross Certification Instructions

Purchase Postpartum Doula Cross Certification
$125

Cross Certification for End-of-Life Doulas

Complete end-of-life doula training and pass certification exam.

  • Your end-of-life doula training must be at least 16 hours in length.
  • Pass our self-paced online exam with a score of 85% or more.

Read three books.

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

+ One More Step

  • Sign Agreement to Abide by the Doula Scope of Practice.

Download End-of-Life Doula Cross Certification Instructions

Purchase End-of-Life Doula Cross Certification
$125