CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator

Get Certified as a Childbirth Educator

CAPPA Academy and Certification

CAPPA is proud to announce our new, one of a kind, state of the art virtual classroom experience, CAPPA Academy. CAPPA Academy provides the opportunity for students to obtain the highest level of training and education of any perinatal certification organization. As leaders in the perinatal education field, we pride ourselves in offering our members the latest technology. By combining excellent, in-person, evidenced based, standardized trainings with the convenience of the virtual classroom setting, CAPPA now offers unparalleled education for perinatal professionals. As part of our mission to foster and encourage relevant information, support, and training, we are proud to announce the launch of CAPPA Academy, which further demonstrates our commitment to the highest possible standards for all CAPPA members.

In addition to your in-person training, CAPPA members will now be able to enjoy the convenience of a virtual classroom, with features such as:

  • Downloadable forms (please note that some forms will still need to be mailed to the CAPPA office)
  • Online exams, with immediate results on the multiple choice portion of the exam
  • Video instruction from the program directors
  • Step by step instructions on completing the course
  • Hot links to important online resources

    • CAPPA USA members who begin the certification process on or after October 1, 2012, and CAPPA Canada members who begin the certification process on or after March 1, 2013, will enroll in CAPPA Academy to pursue certification. The current enrollment fee is $175.* Instructions for beginning the certification process in CAPPA Academy can be found at www.cappa.net. In the past, all certifying members purchased a certification packet and paid a processing fee. Going forward, certifying members will pay the CAPPA Academy enrollment fee. Certification packets and processing fees will not be charged to USA members enrolled in CAPPA Academy after October 1, 2012 or Canadian members enrolled in CAPPA Academy after March 1, 2013. Please be advised that policies may be changed or adjusted during the course of your certification process. By enrolling in CAPPA Academy, you agree to abide by these changes. For more information on CAPPA Academy, please visit this link.

    We are very excited to offer even more new and continuing education opportunities via the CAPPA Academy virtual classroom in the near future.

    Overview

    In order for candidates to be eligible for CAPPA certification they must sign and agree to the following forms- Code of Conduct and Social Media Policy, Grievance Policy, Mission Statement, CAPPA Approach / Philosophy Statement, Vision Statement, and Scope of Practice. 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. Please be advised that policies and prices may be changed or adjusted during the course of your certification process.

    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 will be contacted by the director of the program with further instructions.

    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 certificate. CAPPA certified childbirth educators may use the letters "CCCE" after their names.

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

    * All fees listed are in USD.

    * When submitting your certification materials, please do not send originals. Please do not send your certification materials to CAPPA in a way that requires us to sign for them. CAPPA staff retrieves the CAPPA mail after Post Office hours. We cannot sign for mail!

    *Our website reflects the most recent updates to our programs. If you are not enrolled in CAPPA Academy and are using a Certification packet purchased prior to October 2012, please adhere to the certification checklist included in your packet to ensure that you've completed all the steps. You are certainly welcome to enroll in CAPPA Academy for a nominal charge in order to have access to the latest certification steps and online support. In order to do so, please contact the CAPPA office at 770-932-7281. For CAPPA USA members currently in the certification process, you have the following options:

  • For CAPPA members who have already purchased a certification packet (USA members prior to October 1, 2012 or Canadian members prior to March 1, 2013) , who have NOT prepaid their processing fee, you have the option to upgrade your certification and enroll in CAPPA Academy for $140.*
  • For CAPPA members who have purchased a certification packet AND prepaid the processing fee (USA members prior to October 1, 2012 or Canadian members prior to March 1, 2013), you can enroll in CAPPA Academy for $65.*
  • For CAPPA members who have taken a training (USA members prior to October 1, 2012 or Canadian members prior to March 1, 2013) but have not purchased a certification packet: you can enroll in CAPPA Academy at the current enrollment fee of $175.*
  • For CAPPA members who have attended a training AND purchased a certification packet (USA members prior to October 1, 2012 or Canadian members prior to March 1, 2013), and do not wish to upgrade their certification and enroll in CAPPA Academy: you may continue to follow the steps and fee schedule outlined in your certification packet.

    • While you should use the certification checklist provided in CAPPA Academy to ensure that you've completed all the steps, you are certainly welcome to request an updated checklist from your program director if you wish to complete the more up-to-date certification steps. Please remember that you have two years from your date of training in which to certify, after which your training is expired. You have one year of access to CAPPA Academy from the time of enrollment, and must complete the CAPPA Academy process and turn in your certification materials prior to your two year deadline from your date of training. Please note that continuous CAPPA membership is required for access to CAPPA Academy. A lapse in your CAPPA membership will result in your Academy account being disabled and a re-enrollment fee will be applied. Please be advised that policies may be changed or adjusted during the course of your certification process.

    The Purpose of the CAPPA Childbirth Educator

    Since the beginning of time women have shared their experiences about birth with other women. Viewed as a part of life, birth wisdom was passed from generation to generation by grandmothers, mothers, sisters, aunts and those who attended births. When birth moved to the hospital setting, much of this woman-to-woman education was lost. The advent of formal childbirth education classes in the 1960's allowed women and their partners to have an academic-style introduction to the birth wisdom that was once shared organically. Today, expectant parents need more than just academics. Today's birthing woman needs a place where connecting with her baby, other expectant families, her partner is honored and supported. She needs access to an expert who can answer questions regarding information she's already acquired. Perhaps most importantly, she needs support and encouragement to acknowledge the inner wisdom her body provides to birth her baby in the manner that is best for her. CAPPA childbirth educators are equipped and trained to provide such a place of connection, support and encouragement - changing the world one baby, one mother,and one family at a time.

    Traditional Certification


    You Must:

    Distance Certification

    10 CEUs are awarded upon completion of the distance program.
    You Must:

    Accelerated Certification

    In order to enter this program, you must apply with the Director of Childbirth Education and receive a letter of eligibility and acceptance into the program. The completed application form (found here) should be scanned and emailed to cccedirector@cappa.net. Eligible candidates must be one of the following:

  • An RN, CPM or chiropractor with at least one year clinical experience
  • A certified labor doula with an approved organization
  • An experienced educator able to document at least 36 hours of teaching

    • Accelerated program packets that are submitted without a letter of eligibility and acceptance will not be processed.

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


    You Must:

    Transfer/Dual Certification

    In order to be eligible for this program you must be currently certified with a nationally recognized organization. Please contact the program director (cccedirector@cappa.net) for the list of approved organizations.


    You Must:

    Please contact the Director, Christy Shields, at cccedirector@cappa.net for more information.