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Oregon Health Authority

Birth Doulas

A Birth Doula is a birth companion who provides personal, nonmedical support to birthing people and families throughout a person's pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum experience.

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Birth Doula Certification Standards

Oregon training requirements are comprehensive because of the need for a highly competent and skilled workforce to serve the greater needs and diversity of the Medicaid recipient populations. 
Midwifery education, nursing training, or online childbirth and doula training courses are not accepted as substitutions for in-person doula training. Criteria, description, and training requirements for a birth doula are set by Oregon Administrative Rules 950-060-0150. The childbirth education and labor/birth doula training courses taken should cover the core curriculum topics described below:


Birth Doula Certification Requirements (New Applicants)

Oregon state certified birth doula's can serve Oregon Health Plan members and be reimbursed for those services. To become an Oregon state certified birth doula, complete the eleven (11) requirements below: 

  1. A minimum of 28 contact hours of in-person education offered by an Authority approved training program, that includes any combination of childbirth education and birth doula training. Resources for meeting requirement: Find a list of OHA-Approved Doula Training.
  2. Six contact hours in cultural competency training. Resources for meeting requirement: OHA-approved Cultural Competency trainings are listed on the E & I website or you can take in-person courses through an accredited higher education institution, local hospital or medical clinic. An online course for Cultural Competency is Think Cultural Health. Recommended is the e-learning course for Nurses and Social Workers, which is a free course worth 9 CEUs.
  3. One hour of interprofessional collaboration. Resources for meeting requirement: PDX Doulas offers the Collaborative Practice course in the Portland Metro area. Other such courses should clearly indicate that the topics covered relate to communication and professionalism when working with other health care team members. It is a good idea to submit a brief topic outline along with the certificate of attendance. Courses can be taken through local hospitals or clinics or in online courses.
  4. One hour of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance
  5. Four hours of trauma-informed care. Resources for meeting requirement: You can take courses through an accredited higher education institution, local hospital, CCO, or e-learning options. A great resource is Trauma-Informed Oregon
  6. A current CPR certification for children/infants and adults. Resources for meeting requirement: CPR Certification can be obtained through your local Red Cross or hospitals.
  7. Complete a 1.5 hour OHA-approved oral health training. Resources for meeting requirement: Birth doulas are required to take a course on oral health training either online at Oral Health Training or in person by an OHA-approved instructor.
  8. Create a community resource list for the geographical areas served
  9. Document attendance at a minimum of three births
  10. Document attendance at a minimum of three postpartum visits 
  11. Complete an OHA-approved Checklist form below:




Applying using the Legacy Clause

The Legacy Clause is an exemption that allows people who have been active in the field, and who have lived experience, to apply to be state-certified as a THW. (Each worker-type has its own specific requirements). Individuals seeking THW certification and registry enrollment as a Legacy Clause for a Birth Doula must provide:
  1. A clear copy of government issued identification
  2. An OHA-approved oral health training
  3. Current CPR certification for adults and infants/children
  4. A minimum of one letter of recommendation from any previous employer for whom THW services were provided within that last five years - up until June 30, 2025. Letter must be on professional letterhead, must have author's signature and contact information. 
  5. Verifiable evidence of attending 10 births.
  6. Verifiable evidence of providing 500 hours of community work supporting birthing persons and families in the capacity of a birth doula. 
  7. Provide a community resource list specific to the region you are providing doula services to
  8. Complete an OHA-approved Checklist form below:

Birth Doula Checklist - English
Birth Doula Checklist - English.pdf
Birth Doula Checklist - Spanish
Birth Doula Checklist - Spanish.pdf

Birth Doula Re-certification Requirements (Applicants seeking renewal)

To maintain certification status, all Birth Doulas shall complete the following:

  1.  At least 20 hours of OHA approved continuing education during every three-year renewal period. A minimum of three (3) hours within the 20 hours must be suicide risk assessment, treatment and management appropriate to their scope of work. Resources to meet requirement: Access online suicide prevention trainings: Suicide Prevention Training
  2. A current CPR certification for children/infants and adults

Important Reminders:

  • We strongly encourage individuals to submit renewal applications at least 60 days before current THW certification expires to allow for application processing. We are not able to extend the deadline of your certification per Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs).
  • Continuing Education hours taken in excess of 20 hours may not be carried over to the next three-year renewal period.
  • Requests for approval of Continuing Education courses may come from the hosting organization or from a certified THW attending the training or event.
  • Foundational trainings of the same training type cannot be used in place of the required CEUs.
  • To demonstrate completion, please submit a certificate of attendance, copy of transcript of letter from the instructor of organization showing your successful completion of these courses.


Competency Tests

If your certification has been expired for more than 6 months, you have the option of taking a competency skills test for your worker-type OR you can retake a foundational training. 

If you choose to take a competency test, you still need to submit all required renewal documentation: 

  • Proof of completion of competency skills test
    • Resources for completing requirement: Competency skills test are administered by our community partners. Below are links to access the competency skills test: Doulas
  • Proof of 20 CEUs required for worker type with three of the 20 hours coming from suicide prevention training (must be completed in the last 3 years)
  • Oral health training (must be completed in the last 3 years)
  • Current CPR certification for children/infants and adults

 

Submitting Your Application

  • You are required to apply for recertification in the Health Workforce Registry-Applicant Portal: https://healthworkforceregistry.oregon.gov/
  • Login to your account in the Health Workforce Registry-Applicant Portal.
  • Select “Renew" on the drop-down menu and click on the certification you wish to renew. Complete the steps and submit your completed application.
  • THW Program staff will review your application for completeness and send to the Background Check Unit for a background check.
  • The BCU will notify you and the THW Program once your background check is completed.
  • If approved, the THW Program will continue to process your application and send a determination letter with new expiration dates and update the Registry. 
  • For more detailed instructions on submitting your application - please visit our page on how to become a THW.

Standards of Professional Conduct

As a THW Doula, there are Standards of Professional Conduct you are obligated to follow so you should become familiar with them.
Once you are certified, go to "Guidelines for THW Doulas Serving OHP Members" for information on how to get started serving OHP clients and being reimbursed.