ACBE Doula Certification

National certification demonstrates you have met the requirements for knowledge and skills necessary to support clients in their childbirth experience. Many insurance companies often require certification for insurance reimbursement for doula services.

ACED Birth Doula Training (either 3 Day Doula Workshop or Accelerated Certification Doula Course)
ACED Breastfeeding Class Required (or IBCLC or Lactation Educator Certification)
Must read 4 books from selected reading list - Penny Simpkin’s The Birth Partner is required as well as a book from the breastfeeding category. Other optional categories include: Postpartum, Diversity, Birth Planning, Difficult & Traumatic Births. See reading list here.
Create a Community Resource List from your area - choose 8 from the following categories: addiction, abuse, alternative/complimentary health providers (chiropractors, massage, PT, acupuncture, etc), parenting/breastfeeding support groups, childbirth educators, domestic violence/homeless shelters, breastfeeding specialists, WIC, Parents as Teachers, care providers (midwives, OB, family physicians), perinatal mental health support groups, postpartum doulas.
Births - must be the primary doula on 3 births after completion of training with a minimum of 18 hours attending the births. Paperwork and evaluation to be completed with each birth.
Signed Confidentiality Statement
Signed code of ethics and standards of practice.
Maintain membership with Academy of Childbirth Educators and Doulas, Inc. (first year of membership is included with completion of ACED certification course).