Get Certified as a Childbirth Educator

Overview · Position Paper · Traditional Certification · Distance Certification · Accelerated Certification · Dual Certification · Recertification · FAQ

Overview

In order for candidates to be eligible for CAPPA certification they must sign and agree to the CAPPA philosophy, code of conduct, scope of practice, and grievance policy. We reserve the right to withhold certification to those candidates that do not meet the requirements set forth. We also reserve the right to withhold certification based on all contact with candidates for certification, including, but not limited to phone calls, e-mails, and certification materials. An understanding of CAPPA standards of professionalism, our scope of practice, and code of conduct must be demonstrated by candidates at all times and in all communications. Failure to demonstrate an understanding of the aforementioned may result in CAPPA withholding certification. This is rare.

While 92% of candidates do obtain certification, CAPPA cannot guarantee certification will be obtained by entering our program. In the event a candidate fails to pass certification requirements, the candidate has up to one year to complete the failed portions of the certification requirements. There will be no further processing fees. The candidate who exceeds one year to complete the aforementioned portions of certification may be asked to re-enter the certification program and may incur additional fees.

Please allow approximately six weeks for CAPPA to grade and process your certification materials* once we receive them. CAPPA receives a high volume of certification requests, and each certification request is given individual attention. Upon successful completion of any of the CAPPA certification programs, you will receive a CAPPA name tag and a certificate. CAPPA certified labor doulas may use the letters "CCCE" after their names.

You must be at least 18 years old to certify with CAPPA.

* When submitting your certification materials, please do not send originals.

Traditional Certification

Membership fee: $45.00 · Certification packet: $35.00 · Processing fee: $75.00 · Training registration fee: $350.00 - $400.00
Total cost: $505.00 - $550.00 plus cost of books · Time limit: 2 years after materials are purchased

You must be at least 18 years old.
Be a member of CAPPA. All CAPPA certified professionals are required to maintain continuous membership. A lapse in your CAPPA membership will result in a $50.00 reinstatement fee and all overdue membership dues must be paid. CAPPA certified professionals who let their membership lapse more than 120 days must pay a $100.00 reinstatement fee plus all past due membership dues. In order for CAPPA to issue a certificate of certification or recertification you must have a minimum of 120 days remaining on your current CAPPA membership. If you have less than 120 days remaining on your membership you will need to renew prior to your certificate being issued.
Enter certification program by purchasing the childbirth educator certification packet, available in our shop. You can also purchase your certification packet at the training.
Choose and read five books from the required reading list.
Attend a local childbirth education series as an observer. The class must be taught by a certified childbirth educator and must be at least 10 hours in total length (proof required). Submit a detailed outline of topics, time allotments, and media used (use form A, Class Observation Form). If no class is available, contact CAPPA about the video option.
Attend a local breastfeeding class. Submit one copy of form B (Specialty Class Observation Form). If no class is available, contact CAPPA for substitute.
Attend a local newborn care class. Submit one copy of form B (Specialty Class Observation Form). If no class is available, contact CAPPA for substitute.
A total of 2 student teaching hours with a certified instructor is required for all traditional, accelerated and distance candidates. (Form F)
Observe two labors/births totaling at least 10 hours. Submit form C (Labor/Birth Observation Form.) Birth observations need to be completed within 30 days before the training or until you have finished your certification process.
Complete the pre-workshop study guide and submit to your trainer.
Attend a CAPPA approved childbirth education training.
Teach a 15 minute childbirth topic assigned to you at the workshop.
Pass the test on childbirth education topics included in your packet. The test is an open book test and the answer sheet must be submitted with your final certification. An 85% passing grade is required.

Distance Certification

Membership fee: $45.00 · Complete distance childbirth education program: $400.00 · Administrative fee: $150.00
Total cost: $595.00* · Time limit: 2 years after materials are purchased

* Each person who is seeking certification through the CAPPA distance program must buy their own set of training tapes.

You must be at least 18 years old.
Be a member of CAPPA. All CAPPA certified professionals are required to maintain continuous membership. A lapse in your CAPPA membership will result in a $50.00 reinstatement fee and all overdue membership dues must be paid. CAPPA certified professionals who let their membership lapse more than 120 days must pay a $100.00 reinstatement fee plus all past due membership dues. In order for CAPPA to issue a certificate of certification or recertification you must have a minimum of 120 days remaining on your current CAPPA membership. If you have less than 120 days remaining on your membership you will need to renew prior to your certificate being issued.
Enter certification program by purchasing the distance childbirth educator program which includes the manual, certification packet, and video series of an actual training. This is located in our shop.
Choose and read five books from the CAPPA required reading list.
Attend a childbirth education series as an observer. The class must be taught by a certified childbirth educator and must be at least 10 hours in total length (proof required). A detailed outline of topics, group dynamics, course structure and adult learning principles is required. If no class is available, ask CAPPA about video option.
Attend a local breastfeeding class (proof required). If no class is available, contact CAPPA for substitute.
Attend a local newborn care class (proof required). If no class is available, contact CAPPA for substitute.
A total of 2 student teaching hours with a certified instructor is required for all traditional, accelerated and distance candidates. (Form F)
Observe two labors/births totaling at least 10 hours. Submit form C (Labor/Birth Observation Form.) Birth observations may begin upon purchase of your certification packet.
Pass the test on childbirth education topics included in your packet. The test is an open book test and the answer sheet must be submitted with your final certification. An 85% passing grade is required.
Submit two letters of recommendation for teacher certification from a certified labor doula, certified childbirth educator, midwife, obstetrician, lactation consultant (IBCLC), CAPPA lactation educator, certified antepartum or certified postpartum doula.
Submit video or audiotape of yourself teaching at least two hours of a childbirth series. You will be evaluated on the following: content (based on the risk/benefit model), group dynamics, style of presentation, adult learning principles, and teaching strategies.
Submit class outline and curriculum, including all handouts.

Accelerated Certification

In order to enter this program, you must meet one of these requirements. Copies of licenses/certifications required.

Be an RN or midwife with at least one year clinical experience.
Be an experienced labor doula. Certification required.
Be an experienced childbirth educator. 60 hours of documentable perinatal teaching experience. Letter from supervisor or colleague or class evaluations accepted.

If you meet one or more of the above requirements, you must also meet the following requirements to obtain certification:

You must be at least 18 years old.
Be a member of CAPPA. All CAPPA certified professionals are required to maintain continuous membership. A lapse in your CAPPA membership will result in a $50.00 reinstatement fee and all overdue membership dues must be paid. CAPPA certified professionals who let their membership lapse more than 120 days must pay a $100.00 reinstatement fee plus all past due membership dues. In order for CAPPA to issue a certificate of certification or recertification you must have a minimum of 120 days remaining on your current CAPPA membership. If you have less than 120 days remaining on your membership you will need to renew prior to your certificate being issued.
Enter certification program by purchasing the accelerated childbirth educator certification packet, available in our shop
Choose and read five books from the required reading list.
Complete and submit the pre-workshop study guide.
A total of 2 student teaching hours with a certified instructor is required for all traditional, accelerated and distance candidates. (Form F)
Attend a CAPPA childbirth educator training.
Teach a 15 minute childbirth topic assigned to you at the training.
Pass the test on childbirth education topics included in your packet. The test is an open book test and the answer sheet must be submitted with your final certification. An 85% passing grade is required.

Dual Certification

Membership fee: $45.00 · Dual certification packet: $150.00 · Processing fee *: $75.00
Total cost: $270.00 · Time limit: 1 year after materials are purchased
* - Processing fee waived for ICEA, ALACE, and BEST members

You must be at least 18 years old.
Be a member of CAPPA. All CAPPA certified professionals are required to maintain continuous membership. A lapse in your CAPPA membership will result in a $50.00 reinstatement fee and all overdue membership dues must be paid. CAPPA certified professionals who let their membership lapse more than 120 days must pay a $100.00 reinstatement fee plus all past due membership dues. In order for CAPPA to issue a certificate of certification or recertification you must have a minimum of 120 days remaining on your current CAPPA membership. If you have less than 120 days remaining on your membership you will need to renew prior to your certificate being issued.
Enter certification program by purchasing the dual childbirth educator certification packet, available in our shop
Submit proof of certification from an approved childbirth educator certification program.
Pass the test on childbirth education topics included in your packet. The test is an open book test and the answer sheet must be submitted with your final certification. An 85% passing grade is required.
Submit childbirth class evaluations from five students and/or evaluations from supervisor or a copy of your nurse's license.