Apply for NBDA Certification
Turn Your Training and Experience Into a Professional NBDA Credential
Choose Your Learning Experience
Completing your training is an important first step. Certification is where your education, practical experience, mentorship and professional preparation come together.
The National Black Doulas Association® certification process is designed to recognize birth workers who have completed the requirements established for their professional pathway and are prepared to serve families with skill, cultural awareness and accountability.
If you have completed your required training and are working toward Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula or Certified Placenta Specialist certification, you are in the right place.
Training completion is not the same as Certification
After successfully completing an NBDA training, you receive a Training Completion Certificate confirming that you completed the educational portion of your program.
NBDA professional certification is a separate credential.
Certification requires additional steps that may include practical client experience, mentorship, CPR and First Aid, client or family verification, required documentation, applicable certification fees and final NBDA review.
You are considered NBDA Certified only after all requirements for your certification pathway have been completed, reviewed and approved.
Choose your Certification Pathway
Which Certification Are You Pursuing?
Before you begin
Before submitting your final certification materials, make sure you understand what is required for your pathway.
Depending on the credential you are pursuing, your requirements may include:
Completion of the required NBDA training
Practical birth, postpartum-family or placenta-service experience
NBDA-approved mentorship
Client or family verification
Mentor verification
Current CPR and First Aid where required
Required professional documentation
Applicable certification fee
Final NBDA review and approval
Use the same name and email address throughout your certification process whenever possible so NBDA can accurately connect your training, application and verification records.
How Certification Works
Frequently Asked Questions
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Practical experience is an important part of certification. When your certification pathway requires client or family verification, the appropriate person completes an NBDA verification form connected to your certification record. NBDA tracks the receipt of these forms and reviews each submission to determine whether the experience meets the requirements for your credential. Received does not mean approved. Your experience counts toward certification only after the applicable requirements have been reviewed and accepted by NBDA.
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Mentorship helps bridge training and practice. It gives you an opportunity to ask questions, strengthen your professional judgment, reflect on real experiences and continue building confidence as you begin serving families. When mentorship is required, trainees must work with an NBDA-approved mentor and complete the mentorship requirements established for their certification pathway.
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Beginning in 2027, current CPR and First Aid certification are required for both NBDA Birth Doula Certification and Postpartum Doula Certification. These requirements are part of NBDA's commitment to professional preparedness and workforce readiness.
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You can still begin the current certification process. If you completed an eligible NBDA training before the current certification system was introduced, submit the Certification Application using the name and email associated with your previous training whenever possible. NBDA will verify your historical training record and identify the remaining certification requirements that apply to your pathway.
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Submitting your application begins the certification review process. It does not automatically issue your credential. NBDA reviews your training completion, practical experience, client or family verification, mentorship, CPR and First Aid where required, required documentation and certification payment status. If something is missing, incomplete or needs clarification, NBDA will let you know what action is still required. Once your complete certification pathway has been reviewed and approved, NBDA can issue your professional credential.
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NBDA certification represents professional preparation, practical experience and accountability. Certified professionals are expected to practice within their scope, communicate their credentials accurately, maintain professional boundaries, protect client confidentiality and provide respectful, culturally responsive support. Certification is one way NBDA upholds its commitment to strengthening the professional doula workforce and supporting Black and BIPOC families.
Certification in a Changing Maternal Landscape
Doula services are increasingly included in Medicaid programs, managed care organizations, hospitals, health systems and community-based maternal health initiatives. NBDA certification helps demonstrate completion of NBDA's professional education, practical experience and certification standards. Requirements for provider enrollment, credentialing and reimbursement vary by state, health plan and healthcare organization. NBDA certification does not guarantee acceptance or reimbursement by every Medicaid program, insurer or healthcare system.