FAQs

Have a question about training, certification, membership, professional development, or NBDA policies?

Start here

Training With NBDA®

  • NBDA offers professional education designed to prepare and strengthen doulas and birth professionals.

    Current training opportunities include:
    • Birth Doula Training
    • Postpartum Doula Training
    • Holistic Fertility 101
    • Placenta Encapsulation Training
    • Childbirth Educator Training
    • Cross Training for previously trained doulas

    Training dates and availability vary throughout the year.

    VIEW UPCOMING TRAININGS

  • NBDA offers live virtual and in-person training opportunities throughout the year.

    The format for each cohort is clearly identified before registration.

    Review the individual training listing carefully before completing your registration.

  • No. Training completion and NBDA certification are separate.

    Completing an eligible training provides the education needed to begin the applicable certification pathway.

    Certification may require additional steps such as:
    • Mentorship
    • Practical experience
    • Client or family verification
    • CPR/First Aid
    • Required documentation
    • Certification application and review

    Requirements vary by certification pathway.

    EXPLORE CERTIFICATION

  • Participants who successfully complete an eligible NBDA training receive a Training Completion Certificate or applicable certificate of completion.

    A training completion certificate confirms that you completed the educational program.

    It should not be represented as NBDA professional certification unless you have separately completed and been approved through the applicable certification process.

  • No.

    Holistic Fertility 101 is an educational program and provides a certificate of completion.

    NBDA does not currently award a Fertility Doula certification through this course.

  • Yes.

    Participants who want to become an NBDA Certified Placenta Specialist must complete the applicable training and additional certification requirements.

    VIEW CERTIFICATION PATHWAYS

Registration & Payment

  • Yes.

    Available payment options may depend on the training date and how far in advance you register.

    Options may include:
    • Payment in full
    • An approved NBDA payment plan
    • Klarna or Afterpay when available through the payment provider

    All balances must be paid in full at least 48 hours before the scheduled training begins.

  • No.

    NBDA training registrations are non-refundable.

    Registering for a cohort reserves a training seat and supports the preparation, trainer compensation, materials, and operational costs associated with the program.

  • Contact NBDA as soon as possible.

    An eligible registration may be transferred to another available training date within one year.

    Transfers are subject to availability.

  • No.

    A training registration may be moved to another eligible training date when permitted, but the registration cannot be transferred from one participant to another.

  • Registered participants receive preparation information before their scheduled training.

    Please regularly check the email address used during registration and review all NBDA communications before your cohort begins.

    For in-person training, location and arrival information will be communicated through the applicable training communications.

NBDA Certification

  • Current NBDA certification pathways include:
    • Birth Doula
    • Postpartum Doula
    • Certified Placenta Specialist

    Birth + Postpartum participants must complete the applicable requirements associated with both certification pathways.

    Holistic Fertility 101 provides a certificate of completion rather than an NBDA Fertility Doula certification.

    VIEW CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

  • No.

    Training and certification are separate processes.

    After completing an eligible training, participants must complete the applicable certification requirements and submit their certification materials for review.

  • Yes. The current standard NBDA certification fee is $299.

    Certification fees are separate from training tuition and mentorship fees.

  • Mentorship is required for applicable NBDA certification pathways.

    Participants completing a pathway that requires mentorship must work with an NBDA-approved mentor.

    NBDA-approved mentors operate their own mentorship programs and establish their own:
    • Program structure
    • Scheduling
    • Expectations
    • Fees

    Payments for mentorship are made directly to the mentor, not to NBDA.

    FIND AN APPROVED MENTOR

  • Beginning with the 2027 certification structure, current CPR and First Aid documentation is required for applicable NBDA certification pathways.

    Review the specific certification pathway for the documentation required before submitting your application.

Recertification

  • NBDA certification is maintained on a two-year cycle.

    Certified professionals are responsible for completing the applicable recertification requirements in order to maintain an active NBDA credential.

  • The 2027 NBDA recertification structure requires:
    • 12 continuing-education hours during the two-year certification period
    • Required supporting documentation
    • A recertification application/review
    • A $227 recertification fee

    VIEW RECERTIFICATION

  • Qualifying professional-development activities may include: • NBDA Masterclasses
    • Practice How You Doula
    • CPR/First Aid
    • Approved professional reading and book summaries
    • External workshops reviewed by NBDA on a case-by-case basis

    If you plan to use an outside workshop or course toward your required hours, confirm eligibility before relying on it for recertification.

  • No. Placenta-related education does not count toward the 12-hour continuing-education requirement for this recertification pathway.

    LEARN MORE ABOUT RECERTIFICATION

  • Registered participants receive preparation information before their scheduled training.

    Please regularly check the email address used during registration and review all NBDA communications before your cohort begins.

    For in-person training, location and arrival information will be communicated through the applicable training communications.

Cross Training

  • Not necessarily.

    NBDA Cross Training provides a pathway for previously trained doulas who want to complete NBDAspecific education and pursue an applicable NBDA credential.

    EXPLORE CROSS TRAINING

  • The Cross Training pathway includes:
    1. Application
    2. Review of previous training
    3. Interview/review process
    4. NBDA Cross Training
    5. Additional requirements connected to the applicable credential
    6. Certification review

    Specific post-training requirements may vary depending on the NBDA credential being pursued.

  • No. Cross Training and certification are separate.

    Completing Cross Training prepares an approved participant to move forward with the applicable certification requirements.

    NBDA will provide the appropriate next steps based on the credential being pursued.

NBDA Membership

  • Membership and certification are separate.

    Membership options, eligibility, and benefits are listed on the current Membership page.

    EXPLORE MEMBERSHIP

  • No. Membership identifies your participation in the NBDA professional community.

    Certification represents completion and approval of a specific NBDA professional certification pathway.

    A person should not represent themselves as NBDA certified solely because they are an NBDA member.

  • Visit the NBDA professional directory to search for doulas and birth professionals by location and service.

    FIND A DOULA

  • No. Directory professionals generally operate independently or through their own businesses unless specifically stated otherwise.

    Families are encouraged to:
    • Interview potential doulas
    • Review their services
    • Discuss expectations
    • Review contracts and fees
    • Ask about credentials and experience
    • Select the professional who best fits their needs

  • Registered participants receive preparation information before their scheduled training.

    Please regularly check the email address used during registration and review all NBDA communications before your cohort begins.

    For in-person training, location and arrival information will be communicated through the applicable training communications.

Events & Continuing Professional Development

  • Yes. NBDA offers professional-development, educational, and community programming throughout the year.

    Programs may include:
    • NBDA Masterclasses
    • Practice How You Doula
    • Journey to Doula
    • Membership Orientation
    • Special events
    • Professional-development opportunities

    VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS

Policies & Support

  • If your concern involves professional conduct, ethical concerns, or services provided by an NBDA-affiliated professional, review the NBDA grievance process.

  • No.

    The grievance process is for professional-conduct concerns.

    For training registrations, payment plans, membership assistance, certification questions, or other routine support needs, contact NBDA directly.

    VIEW GRIEVANCE PROCESS

  • The NBDA® Code of Ethics outlines professional and ethical expectations associated with the NBDA community.

    VIEW CODE OF ETHICS

  • Use the Technical Support page for website, account-access, or technical issues.

    TECHNICAL SUPPORT

  • Email: hello@blackdoulas.org

    Our team will help direct your question to the appropriate department or resource.

    CONTACT NBDA