Pathways to Certification

**PLEASE NOTE** You do not need to pay the certification fee until you are ready to complete your interview. The full guide is available for you to review and work through at your own pace. 

  1. Read through the PALS Doulas Guiding Principles (Values, Mission, Vision, Standards of Practice, and Code of Ethics
  2. Complete and submit:
  3. Attend:
    • 1 PALS Doulas event or meeting (within the past 12 months of the packet submission)
    • 1 birth (within the past 12 months of the packet submission)
  4. Purchase the PALS Doulas Certification Guide  and complete a certification interview

Check out the complete 2021 Certification Guide here!

 

If you have not yet certified with PALS under the updated annual process, complete that first!

  1. Review and sign annually receipt of the PALS Doulas Guiding Principles (Values, Mission, Vision, Standards of Practice, and Code of Ethics
  2. Submit data collection for all births attended for the time period of the 16th of January through the 15th of January annually. 
  3. Submit an affidavit of 6 Continuing Education Credits (at least 1 hour must focus on anti-racism, social justice, and/or equity issues in addition to the above)
  4. Submit recertification fee annually

Annual recertification is completed by purchasing the Certification Packet annually

Annual anti-racism training/work is a required element of re-certification. PALS Certified Doulas are able to access up to 6 hours of continuing education provided by PALS at no additional cost. 

“There is power that comes to women (the individual) when they give birth. They don’t ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it.” – Sheryl Feldman