Application fee
$50
Training
24 hours
CPR
Adult and infant
Client evaluations
3 from the last year
Exam
No exam
Renewal
Every 3 years, 15 hours

A certification for doulas who support families through pregnancy, birth, loss and the postpartum period. As a CPD, you provide non-medical emotional, physical and informational support, and you connect families to community and state resources. Doulas are trained professionals, not medical providers.

Is this certification right for me?

It's a fit if you are a practicing doula who supports pregnant individuals, families, surrogates or adoptive parents during the perinatal period, from pregnancy until one year after birth or the end of a pregnancy, and you live or work in Pennsylvania.

Consider a different certification if you provide broader community health outreach rather than perinatal support (see Certified Community Health Worker), or you want to use your own lived recovery experience to support others (see Certified Recovery Specialist).

Requirements

All requirements must be met and documented before you apply. Send all documents with your application, except an official college transcript, which the school sends to PCB directly before you apply.

  • 24 hours of doula education/training
    Relevant to the CPD knowledge areas, including 1 hour in HIPAA/client confidentiality. It can come from an approved doula certifying body or a doula training organization. There is no time limit and no limit on online education. Document it with training certificates that show your name, the training title, dates, hours and the training organization, or with an official college transcript.

  • Current CPR certification
    Your certificate must include competencies for adults and infants.

  • One year of doula experience (some applicants)
    Required only if your education did not come from an approved doula certifying body or an approved doula training organization. You must be currently practicing, and the experience must be within the two years before you apply. If it comes from previous organizations, include a letter from each verifying your title, duties and dates. A resume is not accepted.

  • Three client evaluations
    From families you served within the last year, each with a copy of the signed client confidentiality consent form from the application. If you do not live in Pennsylvania, all three clients must live in Pennsylvania.

  • Your doula type
    Indicate on the application whether you practice as a birth, postpartum or perinatal doula, or another type.

  • Live or work in Pennsylvania
    At least 51% of the time, at the time you apply.

  • Notarized acknowledgements and release
    Sign the release page of the application in front of a notary, and confirm you have read the PCB Code of Ethical Conduct for perinatal doulas.

Your journey

  1. Complete your doula training

    24 hours across the CPD knowledge areas, including 1 hour in HIPAA/client confidentiality, plus current adult and infant CPR.

  2. Collect three client evaluations

    Give each family the consent form and evaluation from the application. Families can return the evaluation to you or send it directly to PCB.

  3. Gather your documents

    Training certificates, CPR card, experience letters if you need them, and the notarized release page.

  4. Apply online or by PDF

    Apply through your online account and pay by credit card, or send the PDF application by mail, email or fax.

    Review: up to 10 business days

  5. You're certified

    There is no exam. Your certification starts on the date your application is approved and lasts three years. Your certificate is mailed within 10 business days.

Fees

Item Fee
Application (includes first exam attempt) $50
Renewal $50
Renewal, each additional credential $50
Paper certificate (optional) $20

The Pennsylvania Doula Commission is currently not able to offer financial scholarships for the CPD application fee. Training costs are set by your training provider.

What a perinatal doula does

Doulas provide services including:

  • Continuous labor support to pregnant individuals, families, surrogates and adoptive parents
  • Prenatal, postpartum and bereavement visits, in person or virtual, until one year after birth or the end of a pregnancy, regardless of outcome
  • Going with clients to healthcare and social service appointments
  • Support for the loss of a pregnancy or infant
  • Connecting clients to community-based and state or federally funded resources
  • Being on call around the time of birth or loss

Knowledge areas

Your 24 hours of training should cover these areas:

  • Basic anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period and lactation
  • Emotional support, education and resources during the perinatal period
  • Nonclinical labor coping strategies
  • Communication between clients, families, support services and health care providers
  • Integrative healthcare and care beyond the doula's scope
  • Community, state/federal and clinical resources
  • HIPAA compliance and client confidentiality
  • Health equity
  • Implicit bias
  • Racism, including structural, interpersonal and institutionalized racism
  • Reproductive and birth justice
  • Cultural sensitivity and humility
  • Trauma-informed care, including for survivors of sexual assault and birth trauma
  • Substance use disorder
  • Accessing housing, health care, economic security and childcare
  • Navigating social service agencies

The exam

There is no exam for the CPD. PCB reviews your documentation, and your certification begins on the date your application is approved.

Keeping your certification current

The CPD renews every three years. You need 15 hours of education relevant to doula practice, plus the renewal fee.

Since January 1, 2026 there is no "lapsed" status: a credential is active or expired. You can recertify within the first six months after it expires; after that you must re-apply. Recertification requirements and fees

Common questions about the CPD

Do I need doula experience if I trained with a doula training organization?

No. The one year of experience is only required if your education did not come from an approved doula certifying body or an approved doula training organization. Everyone needs the 24 hours of training, current CPR and three client evaluations.

Is there an exam for the CPD?

No. Your certification starts on the date your application is approved and lasts three years.

I don't live in Pennsylvania. Can I still apply?

Yes, if you work in Pennsylvania at least 51% of the time. All three of your client evaluations must be from clients who live in Pennsylvania.

Where can I learn more about doula training?

Visit the Pennsylvania Doula Commission website. The Commission is a non-profit dedicated to the recognition, promotion and protection of the doula profession.

Do I have to live or work in Pennsylvania to be eligible for most of the credentials offered by PCB?

YES

Should I submit all documentation with full application and fee at the same time?

YES, if a test is required you will be notified of future dates, locations and times after approval of application.