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Home / Become a Certified Doula / How to Become DONA Certified / DONA Doula Trainer

Become a DONA Doula Trainer

DONA Doula Trainer – Birth/Postpartum

  • DONA International member for at least 6 consecutive years
  • Must be a DONA-certified doula for at least 2 full certification terms
  • Additional education, teaching experience, and DONA engagement are required (full criteria listed below)
  • Trainer reapproval required every 3 years
  • Additional details located in the member portal

Membership & Certification Requirements

  • DONA International member for at least 6 consecutive years
  • Must be a DONA-certified doula for at least 2 full certification terms

Experience Requirements (With Documentation)

  • For Birth Trainers: attended 100 births
  • For Birth Trainers: minimum 120 hours of teaching related to birth doula work
  • For Postpartum Trainers: supported at least 50 families
  • For Postpartum Trainers: minimum 120 hours of teaching related to postpartum doula work

Education Requirements

Must show proof of professional development in 3 separate DONA-specified content areas (frequently includes childbirth, adult education, cultural competence, etc.)

Teaching Requirements

  • Must have teaching or training experience outside of doula work
  • Documentation required for 120 instructional hours

DONA Engagement Requirements

  • Documented volunteer history within DONA International
  • Interview required with DONA leadership or the trainer selection committee

Application & Training Pathway

  • Submit a training application
  • Complete the Train the Trainer seminar ($1,500)
  • Trainer reapproval required every 3 years with updated documentation and continuing requirements

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Trainer Candidate Program

Applications are now closed for the trainer candidate program. Sign up to get notified when they become available.

Minimum Trainer Candidate Qualifications:

  1. Proof of continuous DONA membership (in good standing) with DONA International for six (6) consecutive years.
  2. DONA certified doula in good standing for a minimum of two (2) consecutive recertification periods (i.e., six (6) or more consecutive years)
  3. Minimum number of births/families served: Birth Doulas: Minimum of 100 births attended as a birth doula, not as a nurse or midwife. Reasonable documentation will be requested. Postpartum Doulas: Minimum of 50 families served as a postpartum doula (not as a sleep consultant or newborn care specialist). Reasonable documentation will be requested.
  4. Proof of formal education, training or experience in the following areas:
    a. course/curriculum creation
    b. adult education/learning
    c. community leadership
    d. The education committee will review the submission for how well the skills translate to being a doula trainer.
  5. Proof of experience in teaching perinatal adult education.

    a. Birth Doulas: 120 hours of teaching childbirth education classes. The Education Committee is looking for repetition, over time, which has led to expertise. For example: 20-40 hours of teaching within a year’s time over two to four years. A class outline should be submitted.
    
 b. Postpartum Doulas: 120 hours of teaching childbirth education, newborn care, or 4th trimester classes or the equivalent to community members. The Education Committee is looking for repetition, over time, which has led to expertise. For example: 20-40 hours of teaching within a year’s time over two to four years. A class outline should be submitted.
  6. Proof of volunteer experience with DONA
  7. Successful Interview
  8. Submit $50 non-refundable application fee (if accepted, fee is applied to Train the Trainer Seminar
  9. Pay $1500 tuition for DONA Train the Trainer Seminar
  10. Successfully complete the Train the Trainer Seminar

DONA International reserves the right to select for its candidacy program those applicants who, in its judgment, best represent DONA International’s Mission, Vision and Statement of Values.  Individuals who are invited to apply for the candidacy program must uphold and abide by DONA International’s Birth Doula and/or Postpartum Doula Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and must meet or exceed all other requirements.

Acceptance to the candidacy program does NOT guarantee approval of the candidate’s curriculum or as a DONA International approved community-based doula, birth or postpartum doula trainer.

Preview the application here: review the application questions and requirements.

Learn More

To learn more about the benefits and requirements of being a DONA Trainer, review the following documents:

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