Childbirth Education Certification Options
GS – Great Starts Birth & Family Education, Seattle
ICEA – International Childbirth Education Association
CAPPA – Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association
ASPO - American Society for Psychoprophylaxis in Obstetrics (Lamaze)
CCE – Council of Childbirth Educators
|
Name |
Great Starts |
Lamaze |
ICEA |
CAPPA |
CAPPA distance |
|
Enrollment cost. |
$75 |
Study Guide $95 |
Enrollment: $100 |
Packet: $35 |
$400 for packet and videos |
|
Class |
Either the Great Starts training (24 hours of classtime in 4 days for $450), or Childbirth Educator Training at Seattle Midwifery School (48 hours over 6 days). $685 |
Attending a Lamaze educator seminar. $390 - 750 |
18 ICEA contact hours. $125 - 500 |
CAPPA approved training workshop (after completing readings and observations) $350. 2 days: 16 hours |
Watch video workshop series. |
|
Exam? |
Closed book. 60 questions (multiple choice, short answer, essay). 85% to pass. $75. Scheduled at your convenience |
Exam. 150 multiple choice. Given at multiple teaching sites each April and October. $195 |
Closed book exam. 250 multiple choice questions. 70% to pass. $99 at conference, $200 elsewhere. |
Open book test. 85% to pass. $75 |
Open book test. 85% to pass. $75 |
|
Study Guide? |
Comprehensive study guide to accompany training |
Study guide – online or printed |
Study modules. |
Pre-workshop study guide |
Childbirth educator manual |
|
Readings |
3 required texts. |
5 books |
5 books. |
5 books. |
5 books. |
|
Observations |
Observe 14 hour series with one instructor. 3 hours each with 2 other instructors |
Observe Lamaze classes |
None required. |
Observe 1 birth series: 10+ hours. 1 breastfeeding class, 1 newborn care. |
Observe 1 birth series: 10+ hours. 1 breastfeeding class, 1 newborn care. |
|
Student Teaching |
(Recommended: Co-teach a 14 hour series.) Required: observed and evaluated teach of 14 hour series |
Designing a curriculum. Student teaching Lamaze classes. |
Evaluated teaching series, 12+ hours. Some evaluators do this free, some charge up to $250. |
15 minute topic at workshop |
Submit video or audiotape of yourself teaching at least 2 hours of a childbirth series. Submit class outline and handouts. $75 for eval. |
|
Births |
Observe 2 births. |
Observe births |
Observe 2 births. |
Observe 2 births. |
Observe 2 births. |
|
Other Requirements |
|
|
|
|
2 letters of recommendation |
|
Annual Dues |
$30 |
$95 |
$50 |
$40 |
$40 |
|
Total Cert. Fees (including class & dues) |
$630 or 865 |
$775 - 1135 |
$354 - 980 |
$500 |
$590 |
Other options: ALACE (Assoc. of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators), Birthing from Within, Birthworks, Deepak Chopra Institute – Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives Instructor Certification Program.
Accelerated Certification Options for Experienced Professionals
|
Name |
Great Starts |
Lamaze |
ICEA Experienced |
CAPPA accelerated |
CCE |
|
Fee |
Enrollment: $75 |
|
Enrollment: $100 |
Packet: $35 |
|
|
Pre-Requisite |
Must have completed a childbirth educator training by a recognized organization. Must have 75 hours teaching experience. |
144 hours of teaching in past 5 years AND You are licensed health care professional OR have BA OR have completed a childbirth educator training AND You have 30 hours of continuing education in past 3 years |
25 months and 150 hours of teaching experience. |
RN or midwife with one year experience. OR certified, experienced doula. OR have 60 hours experience as a childbirth educator. |
Registered or practical nurse with current certification. OR Experienced Health Educators who must submit a professional history, and pass a pretest assessment, then be approved. |
|
Training? |
Not required |
See above |
5 ICEA contact hours. Cost varies: $30 – 100. |
Full workshop, as above. $350 |
30 contact hours. In 2 days? $425 |
|
Exam |
Yes. (see above) $75 |
$195 for members ($95 dues) or $325 |
Exam $200 |
Open book test. 85% to pass. $75 |
Yes, at workshop. |
|
Study Guide? |
Optional study guide. |
Recommended - $95 |
Study modules. |
Pre-workshop study guide |
Required pre-workshop study guide. |
|
Readings |
|
|
5 books. |
5 books. |
None listed |
|
Observations |
Observe 2 instructors for 3 hours each. |
|
|
|
None listed. |
|
Teaching |
Observed teaching of two hours worth of a class series |
|
|
Teach 15 minutes on assigned topic at training. |
Teach 5 minutes at training. |
|
Births |
Observe 2 births. |
|
|
|
No |
|
Other Requirements |
|
|
|
|
Lesson plan for a class. 2-3 page article aimed at students. |
|
Annual Dues |
$30 |
|
$50 |
$40 |
? |
|
Total Cert. Fees (inc. dues) |
$180 |
$290 minimum |
$380 - 450 |
$500 |
$425 |