Become a Certified
Birth Doula with NBDA

Support Black families. Shift birth outcomes. Start your journey today.

Why Train with the National Black Doulas Association?

  • Black-Led. Community-Rooted. Career-Focused. NBDA is led by career doulas who understand the realities of birth work and the needs of Black and BIPOC families.
  • Training Designed for Real-World Practice Our curriculum prepares you for actual client work — not just theory — with practical tools, scenarios, and expectations.
  • Advocacy Is Not an Add-On We center informed consent, respectful care, and navigating systems that often fail our communities.
  • Business Education Is Built In We teach you how to build a sustainable doula practice, not just attend births.
  • National Recognition & Ongoing Support Training with NBDA connects you to a national network, continuing education, and professional visibility.

Birth Doula Certification Requirements (NBDA)

Completion of an NBDA Birth Doula Training is the first step toward certification. To apply for certification, trainees must complete all of the following requirements:

1. Attend and Complete Your NBDA Training

Choose from birth, postpartum, holistic, and specialty trainings based on your professional goals.

2. Engage in NBDA-Approved Mentorship

After training, complete mentorship to gain hands-on experience and professional guidance.

3. Attend 4 Births as Primary Doula
 Certification Requirements

Document births supported, using the client feedback form and submit all forms and fees. 

4. Receive Official NBDA Doula Certification

Once approved, you are recognized as an NBDA-certified doula and acknowledged as meeting NBDA professional standards.

Curriculum Overview

NBDA Doula Foundations & Scope of Practice

Understanding the role of the birth doula, professional boundaries, ethics, and what it means to practice within NBDA standards and values.

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth Physiology

Comprehensive education on pregnancy, the stages of labor, birth variations, comfort needs, and recognizing normal vs. concerning patterns.

Hands-On Labor Support & Comfort Measures

Physical, emotional, and informational support techniques including positioning, breathing, pain-coping strategies, and continuous labor support.

Advocacy, Informed Consent & Communication

Supporting client autonomy, navigating hospital and birth-center systems, understanding informed consent, and communicating effectively with care teams.

Culturally-Rooted & Trauma-Responsive Care

Centering Black and BIPOC birthing experiences, addressing bias in maternity care, and providing support that is respectful, grounded, and trauma-aware.

Building a Sustainable Doula Practice

Foundations of running a doula business including pricing, contracts, client intake, documentation, professionalism, and community engagement.