Certification is not required to be a great doula! What matters are happy, supported clients. Some doulas work independently without ever becoming certified. Some may find benefit in maintaining that independence.

At DTI, we include the pathway to certify with all trainings because many doulas find the process beneficial, take pride in completing the requirements, and value certification as a professional marker.

If you trained outside of DTI, you can also choose to obtain a lifetime certification with us through the Cross-Certification Pathway. In the United States, DTI is an approved training for Medicaid credentialing in: Colorado, District of Columbia, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada (birth only) and Virginia.

States that do not require a specified training as part of their Medicaid doula credentialing process: California, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

The DTI certification checklist is pretty simple! Our educator team provides exceptional guidance with all of the requirements.

1. Complete the coursework (through an in person training or our online program) & reading checklist
2. Create a local resource referral list to share with your future clients.
3. Observe and document attendance at a childbirth education class or series.
4. Observe a class for expectant or new parents. This could be a new parent support group, a breastfeeding class, or a newborn care class.
5. Attend and complete an Infant and Child CPR Certification.
6. Support 1, 2 or 3 clients as a labor doula. If 3, your requirement is complete. If 1 or 2, you may support a 2nd and 3rd client for another reproductive health need, such as fertility, loss, or a pregnancy release. If you have questions about what is considered client support, we provide comprehensive guidance.
7. Support 2 clients as a postpartum doula
8. Complete the required forms and write journal entries for these client interactions.
9. Write a simple Business Strategy Outline to set you on the right path when leaving the program.
10. Write 2 brief essays: one describing the role of the doula and another sharing how you wish to make an impact in your community as a doula.

That's it! Once your documents are completed and submitted through our system, a DTI team member will review and approve within 4-6 weeks.

Begin your doula work any time you are ready. There are no deadlines with DTI. As long as your membership remains current, you are welcomed to submit your certifying doula work any time. The certifying doula work must have occurred sometime after beginning your training and within the last 12 months from the day you are submitting.

We recommend seeking client work by the end of month 3 after starting your program to ensure the best motivation and continuity. However, if you need more time it's OK!

Many doulas who complete items 2, 3 and 4 above find it much easier to locate client work after doing so.

The checklist is pretty simple! Our educator team provides exceptional guidance with all of the requirements.

1. Complete the coursework & reading checklist
2. Create a local resource referral list to share with your future clients.
3. Observe and document attendance at a childbirth education class or series.
4. Attend and complete an Infant and Child CPR Certification.
5. Support 3 clients as a labor doula. If you have questions about what is considered client support, we provide comprehensive guidance.
6. Complete the required forms and write journal entries for these client interactions.
7. Write a simple Business Strategy Outline to set you on the right path when leaving the program.
8. Write 2 brief essays: one describing the role of the doula and another sharing how you wish to make an impact in your community as a doula.

That's it! Once your documents are completed and submitted through our system, a DTI team member will review and approve within 4-6 weeks.

Begin your doula work any time you are ready. There are no deadlines with DTI. As long as your membership remains current, you are welcomed to submit your certifying doula work any time. The certifying doula work must have occurred sometime after beginning your training and within the last 12 months from the day you are submitting.

We recommend seeking client work by the end of month 3 after starting your program to ensure the best motivation and continuity. However, if you need more time it's OK!

Many doulas who complete items 2 and 3 above find it much easier to locate client work after doing so.

The checklist is pretty simple! Our educator team provides exceptional guidance with all of the requirements.

1. Complete the coursework & reading checklist
2. Create a local resource referral list to share with your future clients.
3. Observe a class for expectant or new parents. This could be a new parent support group, a breastfeeding class, or a newborn care class.
4. Attend and complete an Infant and Child CPR Certification.
5. Support 2 clients as a postpartum doula
6. Complete the required forms and write journal entries for these client interactions.
7. Write a simple Business Strategy Outline to set you on the right path when leaving the program.
8. Write 2 brief essays: one describing the role of the doula and another sharing how you wish to make an impact in your community as a doula.

That's it! Once your documents are completed and submitted through our system, a DTI team member will review and approve within 4-6 weeks.

Begin your doula work any time you are ready. There are no deadlines with DTI. As long as your membership remains current, you are welcomed to submit your certifying doula work any time. The certifying doula work must have occurred sometime after beginning your training and within the last 12 months from the day you are submitting.

We recommend seeking client work by the end of month 3 after starting your program to ensure the best motivation and continuity. However, if you need more time it's OK!

Many doulas who complete items 2 and 3 above find it much easier to locate client work after doing so.