INELDA Relaunches Certification Process
by Jamie Eaddy Chism
INELDA will reopen our certification process Saturday, October 1st. Although not required for you to practice as a doula, certification is an opportunity to continue learning and can be a meaningful credential that informs your clients and community you’ve taken additional time to develop your skills.
In April 2022, we temporarily closed our process because we heard your feedback, and we wanted to take the time to address your concerns. In reviewing our process, we realized that it wasn’t accessible to all and did not consider how challenging it might be to submit all the required forms. Just as various end-of-life doula trainings offer different approaches to learning, approaches that are sometimes learner specific, we applied this philosophy to the certification process. It is uniform and all requirements are the same, but it is also learner specific. How one meets the requirements may vary.
As we cocreate your certification path, we now consider your previous end-of-life doula experience when determining the number of cases required for certification. We include an exam, an interview, and quarterly Q&A sessions. Additionally, upon completing your training, you will have access to our forms and will not need to submit a fee until you begin the process. Upon receiving certification, INELDA-certified doulas are able to become paid mentors for newly trained or practicing doulas who desire mentorship through INELDA.
Occasionally we receive certification requests from those who have completed their initial training through other organizations. We recognize those organizations’ contributions and learning approaches and have created a certification path for people in this situation.
We come to this work with intersecting identities and experiences that make our path unique. The leadership team thanks you for your feedback and for trusting us to journey with you on your personal path through the certification process. We believe that certification is important, and our process allows us to be there with you to guide and provide feedback as you work through actual experiences as a practicing doula.
We have anticipated some of your questions below. For those not yet answered, we will hold a Q&A night Tuesday, October 4, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. (PT)/8:00–9:30 p.m. (ET). SIGN UP HERE
What does the process require?
The process requires between two and five individual cases totaling at least 40 hours of working with individuals at the end of life. Five cases will be required if a person is new to the field. Previous experience may count toward certification hours.
How long do I have to complete the certification process?
You have two years from your training end date to complete certification. An extension may be granted upon request. Due to the restrictions experienced during the pandemic, all certifications currently in process will have four years, as previously agreed upon.
How much does it cost to be certified?
It costs a total of $300. For the application and submission of your first case for review, the fee is $75. This begins the certification process. After your first case is reviewed, the second payment of $225 is required to continue to the next phase. If you purchased a previous certification packet and/or the application fee, the prior costs for certification apply.
What if I already started the process? What is my next step?
You have several options depending on where you are in the process. You may request certification under the new process if you have not begun working with clients. If you have begun work, you can contact our certification team by email at [email protected]. They will identify where you are in the process and discuss your options. If you began the certification process before April 2022 your cost will not exceed the former pricing.
Do I have to be with each individual through their death for it to qualify as one of my certification cases?
No. Each case will vary. You might work with one client through their death, one client on planning or legacy work, and another doing vigil work—or just work with loved ones as they begin grieving after their loved one’s death.
Will my previous end-of-life doula work be considered during the certification process?
Yes, we will consider your previous experience in the certification process. You will still be required to work on new cases. However, your end-of-life doula experience may reduce the number of new cases required.
If I have questions about the process, who can I contact?
You may contact our certification team at [email protected], and one of our certification guides will assist you. You may also attend the quarterly certification Q&A sessions.