The Apprentice Pathway is recommended for new doulas who desire an additional level of guidance through their first client/doula relationship. Once you download the packet and submit the mentor /preceptor matching form you will be connected with a mentor who will guide and support you through one client relationship (prenatal/birth/postpartum guidance and processing) where they are the primary doula. This is a hands on learning opportunity to work with an experienced doula.  Continuous membership is a requirement of certification. Certification does require the purchase and maintenance of a yearly membership with PALS Doulas. This annual membership can be purchased in 1, 2, or 3 year increments.  

• • Attendance at a PALS approved Birth Doula Skills Training
  • Attendance & documentation of three births as the primary doula; including self-reflection on each birth, evaluations from parents & birth professionals, skill review, & data collection
  • Documentation of seven areas of Skills Enrichment
  • Documentation of Continuing Education.
  • Program & Self-Evaluation.
  • Personal goals essay.
  • Peer/Professional recommendations.
  • Attendance at PALS meetings.
  • Agreement and adherence to the PALS Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
  • Completion & submission of the Certification Packet within two years of Packet issue date.
  • Payment of the $35 Packet Review Fee when submitted
  • May be purchased as a standalone (if you are already a member) or bundled with annual membership.

 The Experienced Pathway is for doulas who have taken an approved training more than 5 years ago, and have attended at least 50 births.

• Welcome Interview conducted by a member of our Certification Committee
• Document attendance at fifty births within the last five years (form provided)
• Documentation of attendance at a PALS-approved Birth Doula Skills Workshop (no expiration date on the workshop)
• Documentation of 20 hours of continuing education hours within the past three years
• Documentation of Skills Enrichment
• Completion & submission of the Certification Packet within two years of Packet issue date.
• Payment of the $35 Packet Review Fee when submitted
• May be purchased as a standalone (if you are already a member) or bundled with annual membership.

The Dual Certification Path is available to current DONA certified doulas and does require the purchase and maintenance of a yearly membership with PALS Doulas. This annual membership can be purchased in 1, 2, or 3 year increments. 

• Welcome Interview conducted by a member of our Certification Committee
• Documentation of current, active membership status with the current certifying organization (DONA only at this time: copy of current certification and receipt showing membership is current).
• Attendance & documentation of three births as the primary doula.
• Documentation of two areas of Skills Enrichment.
• Documentation of 15 hours of continuing education hours within the past three years.
• Completion & submission of the Certification Packet within two years of Packet issue date.
• Payment of the $35 Packet Review Fee when submitted
• May be purchased as a standalone (if you are already a member) or bundled with annual membership.