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Birth Doulas

Birth Doula Certification Standards

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.

Criteria, description, and training requirements for a Birth Doula are set by Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 950-060.

There are three pathways to becoming a state certified Birth Doula in Oregon. Please review the requirements below to see which is the best certification pathway for you.

Pathways to Certification 

  • Complete an Authority-approved 28-hour Birth Doula foundational training program and provide a certificate of completion issued by an Authority approved training program.
  • Complete six hours of cultural responsiveness and humility and provide a certificate or evidence of completion.
  • Complete one hour of interprofessional collaboration and provide a certificate or evidence of completion.
  • Complete one hour of HIPAA and provide a certificate or evidence of completion.
  • Complete four hours of trauma informed care and provide a certificate or evidence of completion.
  • Submit information and attest to the attendance at a minimum of three births and three postpartum visits within the past three years.
  • Submit an active CPR-certification for infants, children, and adults.
  • Create and submit a local community resource list. The community resource list shall include at minimum:
    • Name and contact information of the entity; and
    • Type of resources provided.
  • Complete an Authority-approved oral health training and provide a certificate or evidence of completion.

Applicants who hold a non-Oregon certification whose certification process is similar to that of the state of Oregon for a Birth Doula may be granted certification by the Authority. An applicant must submit a complete application and satisfy the following requirements of the Authority's certification process for reciprocity:

  • Submit an Authority approved Reciprocity Form or a verification letter from the originating state that contains an active state certification or license number in good standing.
  • Submit an active CPR-certification for infants, children, and adults.
  • Create and submit a local community resource list. The community resource list shall include at minimum:
    • Name and contact information of the entity; and
    • Type of resources provided.
  • Complete an Authority-approved oral health training and provide a certificate or evidence of completion.

Applicants seeking to use prior experience as a Birth Doula may be granted Oregon certification by the Authority. An applicant must satisfy the requirements of the Authority's application process by:

  • Submitting a minimum of one written professional letter of recommendation using the template provided by the Authority. Professional letters of recommendation must be from a past or current supervisor, licensed health provider, colleague, or a community-based organization who is familiar with the applicant's work experience in the past five years.
  • Submitting verifiable work, volunteer, or experience hours logged within the past five years at the time of application of at least 300 hours supporting birthing people and families.
    • "Verifiable Evidence" means a pay statement, services contract, student practicum, volunteer time log, or other documentation reflecting hours worked or volunteered. Verifiable evidence will not include college credits as qualification hours. As defined in OAR 950-060-0010.
  • Complete six hours of cultural responsiveness and humility and provide a certificate or evidence of completion.
  • Complete one hour of interprofessional collaboration and provide a certificate or evidence of completion.
  • Complete one hour of HIPAA and provide a certificate or evidence of completion.
  • Complete four hours of trauma informed care and provide a certificate or evidence of completion.
  • Submitting an active CPR-certification for infants, children and adults.
  • Create and submit a local community resource list. The community resource list shall include at minimum:
    • Name and contact information of the entity; and
    • Type of resources provided.
  • Complete an Authority-approved oral health training and provide a certificate or evidence of completion.