REQUIREMENTS FOR PALS DOULAS (PALS) BIRTH DOULA CERTIFICATION
Please note that these requirements are meant to give general information and are not meant to supply all the information that a doula would need to work towards certification. The certification packet available for purchase has thorough explanations for all requirements. Births must be attended after purchasing the Certification Packet. Please contact the PALS office for more info about requirements or to purchase a packet.
1. Current PALS Doulas membership
2. $35 Certification Application Fee
3. Read six books from the PALS Doulas Reading List and the BDPositionPaper.
4. Attend an approved Birth Doula Skills Workshop of 14 or more hours:
*You must complete the requirements for PALS certification and present your Certification Packet within 4 years from the completion of your Birth Doula Skills Workshop.
5. Document training or experience in basic childbirth education.
6. Submit six positive Evaluation of Labor Support (include link) documents from Clients and Care Providers.
7. Submit two professional or peer recommendations from a PALS or DONA Certified Doula, Childbirth Educator, Midwife, OB, or RN or other childbirth professional.
8. Submit an evaluation from one of the following:
- A) Pathways to Births Program
- B) Certification Interview
9. Attend three births as the Primary Doula and submit Self-Assessments for each
10. Complete two PALS Doulas Data Collection Forms for each of the three births documented in the Self-Assessments.
11. Submit a one-page essay describing the purpose and value of labor support, your goals as a doula and your anticipated participation with PALS Doulas.
12. Submit documentation of four hours of Continuing Education in Maternal-Child Health and complete the Continuing Education Verification Form 2010.
13. Sign the bottom of the Application for PALS Birth Doula Certification form acknowledging your agreement to abide by the PALS Doulas Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• Scholarships may be available through Open Arms Perinatal Services. Contact OAPS at (206) 723-6868.
• If you are already a Certified Doula with another organization, please email PALS Doulas or call (206)-329-PALS for information on our cooperative certification options.
• If your packet will expire or has expired, you may request a one-time, six-month extension added onto the original date by sending a letter and including a $10 fee to PALS. After the six-month extension, if you do not complete the process, you will be required to purchase another certification packet.
• You must complete your certification requirements within four years of attending an approved Birth Doula Skills Workshop. A one-time, six-month extension might be possible. Send a letter to PALS Doulas with your request.
Special arrangements will be made for those candidates who cannot complete the PALS Doulas packet due to language barriers or other factors. These arrangements will be at the discretion of the PALS Doulas Certification Program and may include but are not limited to: In-person interview, interviews with clients or care providers, and/or alternate forms of documentation.