Updated Certification Requirements for 2026 at Catholic Doula Program, St. Zélie Academy

DoulaMatch.net is asking organizations to publish their certification requirements for transparency. So, we are now publishing our certification requirements below - Both Birth and postpartum doulas this will apply to for most part. (Observes are only for birth doula.) 
We will also post our scope of practice, ethics, and grievance policies below. 
Certification Requirements for birth and postpartum doulas:
1. We require a portfolio: Portfoilio - must fulfill at least 10-25 hours of work w/clients and other skills - clients up to 10. Portfolio of work is also part of this requirement. Students will submit 10-20 resource list, definition terms, Birth or Postpartum Interviews with mothers or clients, Book reviews as part of this portfolio plus the 10-25 hours with clients or community project as part of the portfolio requirement.
2. Do we require evaluations or observes? Evaluation of work - yes, we require evulation from client and one observe (if birth doula.) 
3. Does the student receive any mentoring? We have two options:  Student receives mentorship through Awesome Doula Club membership (free for 6 months) - higher level practicum/mentoring can be added for $299 or if choosing mentoring package for combo birth and postpartum doula then fee is included. See our Doula Trainings page for info.
​4. Final exam test: There is a final exam for both birth and postpartum doula, open book is allowed.
5. Re-certification - we have just announced on our blog that re-certification will now be required every 3 years with approved sources for CEU’s as Carrot requires this and we are Carrot approved. 
6. Catholic Doula St. Zélie Academy has a code of ethics - we will link info below. 7. Catholic Doula Zélie Academy has a grievenace policy - see below for info. 8. We are seeking non-profit status - but do not have that yet. 9. Certification process is ongoing from start of student’s online workshop classes till end of their portfolio. If there is an in person workshop, then the certification requirements still need to be met for full certification. 

Code of Ethics Statement

Grievance Policy statement

Scope of Practice: 
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