FAQs

CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) is a professional certification organization for birth and postpartum professionals. Founded in 1998, CAPPA has been certifying doulas, childbirth educators, lactation educators, and family support professionals for over 25 years. Our mission centers on creating the best possible member experience and maintaining high standards for perinatal professionals.

CAPPA distinguishes itself through:

• Community-focused approach: Our members have access to a vibrant professional community for ongoing support, networking, and career coaching
• Comprehensive curriculum: Our certification pathways include business and marketing training alongside clinical skills
• Flexible pathways: We offer multiple certification routes (Traditional, DIY/Self-Paced, Accelerated, and Dual Transfer) to accommodate different learning styles and professional backgrounds
• All-inclusive pricing: One price covers training, materials, membership, community access, and certification—no hidden fees
• Ongoing support: Members receive career coaching, continuing education opportunities, and access to professional resources throughout their membership

CAPPA offers five core certification pathways:

1. CCCE — Certified CAPPA Childbirth Educator Prepare expectant parents for labor, birth, and early parenting through comprehensive childbirth education classes.
2. CLD — Certified Labor Doula Provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to birthing people and their families during labor and delivery.
3. CPD — Certified Postpartum Doula Support new families during the postpartum period with newborn care, breastfeeding support, and household assistance.
4. CLE — Certified Lactation Educator Educate and support families with breastfeeding basics, common challenges, and when to seek additional lactation support.
5. CIFE — Certified Infant & Family Educator (formerly CNPE - Certified New Parent Educator) Support families through the transition to parenthood with education on infant care, development, and family adjustment.

Each pathway prepares you to support families during specific stages of the perinatal journey.

Yes. CAPPA has been certifying perinatal professionals since 1998 and is recognized across the United States, Canada, and internationally. Our credentials are respected by hospitals, birth centers, and healthcare providers worldwide.

CAPPA certification is ideal for anyone with a passion for supporting families during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Our students include:

• Parents who had transformative birth or postpartum experiences and want to help others
• Career changers seeking meaningful, flexible work
• Nurses, midwives, and healthcare professionals looking to expand their scope
• Educators who want to teach evidence-based childbirth or parenting classes
• Community health workers and advocates serving underrepresented populations
• Existing doulas from other organizations seeking additional credentials

Traditional Pathway

• For those with no prior experience in the field
• Prefer live, interactive training with an instructor
• Includes live virtual or in-person workshop plus online certification coursework

DIY (Self-Paced) Pathway

• For those with no prior experience in the field
• Prefer to learn on your own schedule with recorded content
• Complete the entire certification process online at your own pace

Accelerated Pathway

• For licensed healthcare professionals (RN, CNM, etc.)
• Streamlined requirements—no observational requirements
• Requirements: Proof of existing licensure, proof of CAPPA or DONA certification OR proof of 36+ hours of relevant experience

Dual Transfer Pathway

• For those already certified with another doula organization
• Requirements: Proof of current certification, foundational course requirements, scope of practice test, essay, and certification exam

We recommend taking our Certification Pathway Quiz on our website. The quiz will ask about your professional background, experience, and career goals, then recommend the best certification pathway for you. You can also contact our office directly for personalized guidance.

General guidance:

• Interested in supporting people during labor and birth? → CLD (Labor Doula)
• Want to support families after baby arrives? → CPD (Postpartum Doula)
• Passionate about teaching expectant parents? → CCCE (Childbirth Educator)
• Focused on breastfeeding support and education? → CLE (Lactation Educator)
• Want to help families transition to parenthood? → CIFE (Infant & Family Educator)

Yes. Active CAPPA membership is required to complete certification and to maintain your credential. Membership is included with your training enrollment, so you don't need to purchase it separately when you sign up.

Membership gives you access to:

• The CAPPA community and program-specific spaces
• Continuing education resources
• Listing in the CAPPA professional directory (so families can find you)
• Member discounts on trainings, conferences, and materials
• Ongoing support from the CAPPA team

To stay certified, you'll need to maintain your membership and complete recertification requirements every 3 years.

No. CAPPA training is open to individuals from diverse backgrounds—parents, educators, doulas, healthcare professionals, and anyone passionate about supporting families. What matters most is your commitment to evidence-based education and compassionate care.

Yes! Once you complete your live training and foundational requirements, you'll earn a Foundational Certificate that allows you to begin working with families while you complete the remaining certification steps. This means you can start gaining real-world experience—and income—right away, while working toward your full CAPPA credential within the 18-month certification window.

Timelines vary by individual. After completing your training (18 hours for most programs), you have 12 months to complete additional certification requirements, including documented experience, an exam, and required readings. Many students complete certification within 6–12 months.

Step 1: Get Started

• Become a CAPPA Member (included with training registration)
• Complete Pre-Training Coursework
• Attend a CAPPA Training Workshop (live, virtual, or self-paced)

Step 2: Complete Your Coursework

• Sign CAPPA Policies
• Pass Scope of Practice exam
• Pass Open Book Exams
• Complete Required Coursework

Step 3: Get Certified

• Submit your completed coursework
• Receive your official CAPPA certification
• Celebrate! 🎉
• Recertify every 3 years from your certification date
• Earn CEUs

Live trainings are facilitated virtually or in-person over 2–3 days by a CAPPA-approved trainer and include interactive learning, group discussions, and real-time mentorship. Self-paced certification allows you to complete coursework on your own timeline through CAPPA Academy. Both pathways lead to the same certification—choose based on your learning style and schedule.

Visit our website and click on "Upcoming Trainings" to view all scheduled trainings by location, date, and certification type. You will need to be a membership to enroll in the live trainings. You can filter by:

• Virtual or in-person
• Certification program (CLD, CPD, CCCE, CLE, CIFE)
• Date range
• Location/region

Your CAPPA membership gives you access to:

• Member Community: Connect with fellow birth professionals, get support, share resources, and network
• Career Coaching & Office Hours: Live support sessions to help you build your practice
• CEU Library: Access to continuing education videos and resources
• Member Directory Listing: Get found by potential clients
• Discounts & Perks: Member-only discounts on conferences, products, and partner services
• Monthly Community Townhalls: Stay connected with CAPPA updates and opportunities
• Certification Challenges: Structured activities to help you complete your certification
• Resource Library: Templates, guides, and professional resources
• Conference Recordings: Access to past CAPPA conference sessions

Annual Membership: $75/year

If you maintain continuous membership (keep your subscription active without lapsing), you can lock in the current membership rate even if prices increase in the future.

Yes. Active CAPPA membership is required to hold and use your CAPPA certification. If your membership lapses, your certification will be placed on hold. If membership is not renewed within 30 days, your certification will be revoked.

The good news: Keeping your membership active is easy with automatic renewal, and it ensures you maintain access to all member benefits, community support, and your professional credentials.

Expired Less Than 12 Months: You can reinstate your certification by:

1. Completing the recertification course
2. Meeting all recertification requirements
3. Paying the recertification fee ($125) + reinstatement fee ($175) = $300 total
4. Renewing your membership if lapsed

Expired More Than 12 Months: In most cases, you'll need to retake the full certification training. However, we evaluate these situations case-by-case. Contact the CAPPA office to discuss your specific circumstances—we may offer:

• A one-time reinstatement option
• Refresher course pathway
• Credit for previous experience

Your CAPPA certification is valid for 3 years from your certification date. You'll need to complete the recertification process before your certification expires to maintain your credentials.

You need to recertify before your 3-year certification anniversary. We recommend starting the recertification process at least 60-90 days before your expiration date to ensure you have plenty of time to complete all requirements.

You'll receive reminder emails starting at:

• 1 year before expiration
• 6 months before expiration
• 45 days before expiration
• 21 days before expiration
• 10 days before expiration
• 3 days before expiration

These are two separate dates:

• Membership Renewal Date: The annual date when your $75 membership fee is due. This renews every year.
• Recertification Date: The date every 3 years when you need to complete your recertification requirements and pay the $125 recertification fee.

You must maintain active membership throughout your certification period. Think of it this way: Membership keeps you connected to CAPPA; recertification keeps your professional credentials current.

Yes! Once you complete your live training and foundational requirements, you'll earn a Foundational Certificate that allows you to begin working with families while you complete the remaining certification steps. This means you can start gaining real-world experience—and income—right away, while working toward your full CAPPA credential within the 18-month certification window.

Recertification Requirements:

1. Active Membership: Your membership must be current
2. Complete Recertification Course: Online course with updated policies and requirements
3. Upload Certificate Proof: Copy of your original certification
4. Agree to Current CAPPA Policies: Review and sign updated terms
5. Read 10 Research Studies: From peer-reviewed journals in your field
6. Pay Recertification Fee: $125 per certification

Each certification pathway has additional requirements. 

CAPPA accepts continuing education from many sources. A full list of CAPPA-Sponsored CEUs is available in your member dashboard.

CAPPA CEU Library: Your membership includes access to past conference recordings and educational videos that qualify for CEUs. Find these in your Membership Hub under "Bonuses" or "CEU Library."

CAPPA Annual Conference Sessions: Each year CAPPA offers a perinatal professional conference. Look out for an invitation by email. 

Partner Organizations: CAPPA recognizes CEUs from many partner organizations. Check the approved provider list in your member portal.

Research & Scholarly Articles: CAPPA approves CEUs related to the study of scholarly articles from the following sources.

• The Cochrane Collaboration
• PubMed Central
• Google Scholar
• BioMed Central
• ERIC (Education Resources Information Center)
• Questia
• Ebscohost (often available free through your local library)
• University library systems (many allow alumni access)

Within 12 months of expiration:

• Recertification Fee: $125
• Reinstatement Fee: $175
• Total: $300

Complete the recertification course and requirements, pay the fees, and your certification will be reinstated.

More than 12 months after expiration:

• You will need to retake the full certification training
• Contact the CAPPA office to discuss your options—we evaluate these situations on a case-by-case basis and may offer alternative pathways based on your circumstances

Many CAPPA courses and conference sessions are approved for CEUs from nursing boards and other professional organizations. Check individual course descriptions for specific CEU approvals, or contact the CAPPA office for verification letters.

Expired Less Than 12 Months: You can reinstate your certification by:

1. Completing the recertification course
2. Meeting all recertification requirements
3. Paying the recertification fee ($125) + reinstatement fee ($175) = $300 total
4. Renewing your membership if lapsed

Expired More Than 12 Months: In most cases, you'll need to retake the full certification training. However, we evaluate these situations case-by-case. Contact the CAPPA office to discuss your specific circumstances—we may offer:

• A one-time reinstatement option
• Refresher course pathway
• Credit for previous experience

• Contact the CAPPA office or access the reinstatement offer in your portal
• Pay the combined recertification + reinstatement fee ($300)
• Complete the recertification course and requirements
• Ensure your membership is active
• Your certification will be reinstated

• Recertification Fee: $125
• Reinstatement Fee: $175
• Total: $300 (within 12 months of expiration)

Contact the CAPPA office immediately. We understand life gets busy, and we want to help you get back in good standing. If you've been actively practicing:

1. Document your recent work experience
2. Complete the recertification requirements
3. Pay applicable fees
4. We'll work with you to reinstate your certification

The sooner you address it, the more options you'll have. 

Log in to your member portal at the CAPPA website. From your Member Hub, you'll see 'My Current Programs'. 

Click on the program that you would like to enter. 

From the 'All Members' Community tab you can:

• Join discussions in your certification-specific groups
• Connect with other professionals in your area
• Access career coaching channels
• Participate in challenges and events
• Ask questions and get support

Log in to your member portal and navigate to your Profile settings. From there, you can update:

• Your bio and headshot
• Business name and contact information
• Certifications held
• Services offered
• Location and service area

Your directory listing helps potential clients find you, so keep it current!

All your course materials are available in your Member Hub under "My Courses." You'll have ongoing access to:

• Your certification course content
• Digital training manual
• Resource lists and templates
• Supplementary materials

• General Questions: info@cappa.net
• Certification Questions: Contact the CAPPA office through your member portal
• Technical Support: Use the Help channel in the community or email support

All lives calls are listed under the 'Live Events' in the CAPPA community.  Access the community from your member dashboard. 

• To become a CAPPA trainer, you must:

  1. Hold active CAPPA certification in the program you wish to teach
  2. Have significant experience in your field (specific requirements vary by tier)
  3. Complete the Trainer Application with documentation of your qualifications
  4. Be approved by the program Advisor (Master Facilitator) for your certification area
  5. Complete Trainer Onboarding including orientation and system training
• If you do not have significant teaching experience, you may apply for our 12-Month Trainer Apprentice Program ($2000).

No. You only need to be certified in the specific program(s) you wish to teach. For example, if you want to train postpartum doulas, you need your CPD certification. If you later want to add labor doula training, you would need to obtain your CLD certification and apply separately for that program.

Note: Your trainer tier may differ between programs based on your experience in each area.

• Complete Application: Available on the CAPPA website under "Become a Trainer"
• Submit Application: Your application goes to the CAPPA office
• Advisor Review: The Master Facilitator/Advisor for your program reviews your application
• Scoring & Recommendation: Based on your experience and qualifications, you'll receive a recommended trainer tier
• Approval Decision: The Advisor approves, requests more information, or provides feedback
• Onboarding: Once approved, you'll complete trainer onboarding and system setup
• Start Training: Choose and request your first training dates and begin teaching!

Typically 5-10 business days. You'll receive email notifications about your application status. If approved, you'll receive instructions for completing your trainer onboarding.

Apprentice

• New trainers in training
• Working under supervision of an experienced trainer
• Building skills before independent training

Core Trainer

• Entry-level independent trainer
• Minimum 3 trainings per year
• 25% payout ($300 per student)
• CAPPA handles all logistics, marketing, and student management

Core Plus

• Experienced trainer
• Minimum 5 trainings per year
• 35% payout ($420 per student)
• CAPPA handles logistics and student management

Core Elite — Managed

• Advanced trainer
• CAPPA handles marketing, logistics, and all operations
• 40-65% payout ($480-$780 per student)
• Higher volume expectations

Core Elite — Independent

• Advanced trainer with own marketing/audience
• Trainer handles own marketing; CAPPA provides checkout links and certification
• 40-65% payout ($480-$780 per student)
• More autonomy in how you run your training business

Advisor

• Leadership level / Master Facilitator
• Program oversight responsibilities
• 65-75% payout ($780-$900 per student)
• Community moderation duties
• Reviews trainer applications for their program

Your tier is determined by a scoring system based on your application answers, including:

• Number of trainings you've conducted
• Years of experience in the field
• Number of families/clients served
• Additional certifications and credentials
• Teaching experience
• Professional background

The system provides a recommended tier, which is then reviewed and confirmed (or adjusted) by the program Advisor.

• Payouts are calculated based on your tier percentage × the training price (e.g. $1,200)
• You receive payment for each student who registers for your training
• Payments are processed after the training is complete
• You'll receive an invoice/statement showing your payout calculation

Example at 65% (Core Elite Independent):

• 1 student = $780
• 5 students = $3,900
• 10 students = $7,800

Students self-register through the CAPPA website or your checkout link. When they register:

• They're automatically added to your training roster
• You receive an email notification
• They're added to your training's community group
• They receive onboarding emails with pre-training assignments

You can view all registrations in your Trainer Hub.

Through the Trainer Hub in Airtable (access in the community):

1. Log in to your Trainer Hub
2. Navigate to "Request Training" or "Choose Training"
3. Select your preferred dates (you can submit up to 10 dates at a time)
4. Submit your request
5. You'll receive confirmation within 5-7 business days
6. Once approved, you'll see your training on the calendar with your checkout link

The goal is a minimum of 3 students per training. Currently, CAPPA does not cancel trainings that fall below this minimum, but we're working toward this standard. In the future, we'll partner with you on marketing efforts to help fill training seats. 

The Trainer Hub is hosted in Airtable (accessible in the community under the 'Core Trainer' access group. After completing trainer onboarding:

1. You'll receive an invitation to create your Airtable account
2. Use the link in your invitation email to access the Trainer Hub
3. Bookmark the link for easy access
4. All your training management happens here

If you need your access link resent, contact the CAPPA office.

In your Trainer Hub:

• Calendar View: See all your upcoming trainings at a glance
• Registrations: Click on any training to see who's registered
• Student Details: View contact information, payment status, and course progress

You'll also receive automatic email notifications whenever a new student registers.

All trainer resources are available in the Trainer Resource Hub in Kajabi:

• PowerPoint presentations and slides
• Training manuals
• Checklists and templates
• Pre-training and post-training forms
• Games, activities, and teaching tools
• Program-specific resources for each certification

1. Students find your training on the CAPPA website or through your marketing
2. They click the checkout link (unique to your training)
3. They complete payment through Kajabi
4. They're automatically enrolled in the course and community
5. They receive onboarding emails with pre-training assignments
6. You receive notification of their registration

• Community: Each training has a dedicated channel in the CAPPA community where you can post updates, inspiration, and reminders
• Email: You have access to student contact information in your Trainer Hub
• Pre-Training Assignments: Students receive automated reminders about completing their pre-training work

Payouts are tracked after your training is complete. Payments are calculated based on the number of students enrolled × your tier percentage.  CAPPA pays instructors on the last day of the month. 

Tier advancement is based on:

• Number of trainings completed
• Student evaluations and feedback
• Years of experience
• Engagement with the CAPPA community
• Leadership contributions

Contact the CAPPA office or your program Advisor to discuss advancement opportunities.