Virtual Doula Support Experiences
Many certifying doulas are able to assist clients virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, so DONA is approving ONE virtual experience to be submitted for certification.
To take advantage of this option for postpartum support experiences, use the Virtual Postpartum Support Record Sheets and Evaluations in the “Certification Candidates” group in DONA Connect. You will need to print the Postpartum record sheets, fill them out with the information requested, and add the completed pages to your certification packet. Submit your completed packet and certification application.
For Birth Doula Support Experiences, if you are using the pre-April 15 2023 application packet, use the Virtual Birth Doula Support Record Sheets and Evaluations as above. If you are using application packet released April 15, 2023, simply check “virtual” on the first page of the record sheet included with your packet.
COVID-19 Policy Exceptions
We are honored and determined to support you on your journey towards certification. The DONA International Certification team and Board of Directors recognize the challenges certifiers face completing the certification requirements during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 1-year extensions were granted for all certification packets and workshops which expired in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
** 6-month extensions, beyond the 1-year COVID-19 relief extension, can still be purchased in the DONA Boutique at www.dona.org**
In the meantime, to stay connected and up-to-date on the latest Certification news, please keep your membership current.
Have additional questions? Join the conversation in the Certification Candidate Community on DONA Connect.
You can also check-in at the Certification Office Hours, held once a month. We are here to support you!
Provisional Certificate
To assist birth doulas who are currently not allowed in a hospital to offer in-person support to clients, DONA International is offering Provisional Certification for those who have completed ALL of their certification packet except their three (3) birth support experiences and related paperwork. This provisional certification may help birth doulas gain entry into the hospital to provide in-person support by providing the hospital administration with documentation that the doula is formally working towards certification with the support of an international certifying organization. This Provisional Certification, if granted, expires after 1 year.
To qualify, you must:
1) Have a current birth doula certification packet.
2) Submit proof of the restrictive hospital policy that excludes doulas.
3) Have completed ALL PARTS of the birth doula certification packet EXCEPT for the birth experiences and related paperwork.
4) Paid the application fee and DONA membership fee in full.
How the process works:
1) Complete ALL PARTS of the certification packet, except for the three qualifying birth experiences and related paperwork.
2) Provide the hospital policy that explicitly states the restriction excluding doulas.
3) Pay all of your fees using your log-in portal on the DONA website (Application Fee and Membership Fee)
4) Follow the instructions given via email after paying the application fee to further submit the certification packet online.
Alternate Path Certification: Birth Doulas
DONA International is pleased to offer an Alternative Path Certification process for people who already have doula experience.
Eligibility Criteria
For formerly DONA-certified birth doulas:
• If your certification has expired, you can pursue the Alternate Path to Birth Doula Certification. Note: If your certification expired less three (3) years ago, use the recertification application.
• You may use the Alt Path option only one time.
For other birth doulas who have supported at least forty (40) births:
• You can pursue the Alternative Path to Certification if you are:
o A birth doula currently certified through another organization
OR
o A formally trained community-based doula whose program did not offer certification
Steps to Certification:
1. Complete ONE of the following:
A. a DONA-approved Birth Doula Workshop
B. a DONA Summit (virtual or in-person)
C. 15 hours of coursework on elevate.DONA.org and 1 Member Meeting
2. Make sure your DONA International Membership is current and valid for the duration of your upcoming 3-year certification cycle at the time of application.
3. Complete an updated resource and referral list for your community.
4. Show proof of completion of the Racial Equity and Inequities in Birthwork course on elevate.DONA.org.
5. Purchase the certification reactivation application fee in the DONA Boutique.
6. Fill out your application and submit your certification packet materials.
Ready to start this process? Order your alternative path certification packet at no cost through your DONA.org account.
Alternate Path Certification: Postpartum Doulas
DONA International is pleased to offer an Alternative Path Certification process for people who already have doula experience.
Eligibility Criteria
For formerly DONA-certified postpartum doulas:
• If your certification has expired, you can pursue the Alternate Path to Birth Doula Certification. Note: If your certification expired less three (3) years ago, use the recertification application.
• You may use the Alt Path option only one time.
For other postpartum doulas who have supported at least twenty (20) postpartum clients:
• You can pursue the Alternative Path to Postpartum Certification if you are:
o A postpartum doula currently certified through another organization
o A formally trained community-based postpartum doula whose program did not offer certification
• And your postpartum support experiences meet the following qualifying criteria:
o Each client received at least three (3) postpartum support visits, and
o At least a cumulative eight (8) hours of postpartum support for each client occurred between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., and
o The cumulative hours of postpartum support for each client was at least twelve (12) hours
Steps to Certification:
1. Complete ONE of the following:
A. a DONA-approved Postpartum Doula Workshop
B. a DONA Summit (virtual or in-person)
C. 15 hours of coursework on elevate.DONA.org and 1 Member Meeting
2. Make sure your DONA International Membership is current and valid for the duration of your upcoming 3-year certification cycle at the time of application.
3. Complete an updated resource and referral list for your community.
4. Show proof of completion of the Racial Equity and Inequities in Birthwork course on elevate.DONA.org.
5. Purchase the certification reactivation application fee in the DONA Boutique.
6. Fill out your application and submit your certification packet materials.
Ready to start this process? Order your alternative path certification packet at no cost through your DONA.org account.