• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Attend a CAPPA Childbirth Educator training class.
• Read selected books from the CAPPA Childbirth Educator Required Reading List.
• Read the CAPPA Childbirth Educator Training Manual (received at training).
• Complete all requirements below within 2 years of the training class.
• Become a Member of CAPPA.
• Enroll in the Childbirth Educator Traditional Course in CAPPA Academy and complete the items below.
  • Pass the Scope of Practice Pretest. A 100% passing grade is required.
    Read and watch the video clips from the Understanding Birth Booklet.
  • Read and watch the video clips from the Understanding Breastfeeding Booklet.
  • Read and watch the video clips from the Postpartum Health & Baby Care Booklet (formerly Mother & New Baby Care).
  • Student teach or submit a video of (1) 30-minute lesson OR (2) 15-minute lessons. Hand in a detailed outline and curriculum for the presentations taught.
  • Observe two labors/births totaling at least 10 hours. Details/forms are provided within CAPPA Academy.
  • Create a Resource List with information on local support for parents. A guide for creating this list is found in CAPPA Academy.
  • Sign and agree to the following:
    • Code of Conduct
    • Social Media Policy
    • Grievance Policy
    • CAPPA Mission
    • CAPPA Approach
    • CAPPA Vision
    • Scope of Practice
  • Pass the multiple-choice exam. A passing grade is 85% or higher. If a student does fail an exam, resubmission fees may apply.
  • Pass the essay exam. The essay exam is graded on a pass-fail basis. If a student does fail an exam, resubmission fees may apply.

** Additional fees may apply, such as extensions, resubmissions, or rush result fees.
*All fees listed in USD.

Is your hospital in need of Certified Childbirth Educators? CAPPA faculty can come to your hospital and train your staff or community members to become CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educators.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 770-965-9777.

Scope of Practice of the CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator

CCCEs fill an important role in educating and supporting families and the community by providing comprehensive, evidence-based information.  As respected professionals, CCCEs work in public-health clinics, hospitals, care-provider offices, and private settings throughout the world.

How CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educators Work with Families

CCCEs work with families preparing for pregnancy and during pregnancy, offering non-biased support, encouragement, and evidence-based information as needed.  A childbirth educator’s primary goal is to equip families with the skills to evaluate all their options.  Educators work in a variety of settings, offering their services as public health educators, hospital/community educators, and in private practices.

How CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educators Work Within the Healthcare System

While CCCEs are not clinicians, they are experts in the development and delivery of educational resources for families and members of the health care team.  When situations arise that require clinical attention, educators will direct families to seek support from their healthcare provider.

Clinical Limitations of CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educators

CCCEs are non-clinical professionals.  As such, they do not offer medical advice, diagnose medical conditions, or perform clinical procedures/treatments of any kind.  They do not prescribe/administer any medication including herbal or over-the-counter medication.  CCCEs also do not advise families to act against medical advice.

CAPPA Standards

CCCEs work within CAPPA’s standards of practice to uphold the following (available to read as individual documents): code of conduct, grievance policy, mission statement, vision statement, organization philosophy, and social media policy. CCCEs use current, evidence-based information in their practice. They maintain their knowledge and skills through continuing education and work within the legal framework of their individual community and region.

CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educators:

• Offer non-biased perinatal information, support, encouragement, guidance, and education to families
• Provide information on birth options and resources
• Encourage informed decision-making
• Model and teach effective communication
• Help families understand their rights according to current healthcare policy and legal statutes
• Work closely with students and their families to explore and clarify their values and needs surrounding birth
• Equip students with non-medical comfort techniques for labor such as movement, position changes, comforting touch, visualization, breathing techniques, affirmations, and more
• Provide informational and practical support to partners and family members
• Provide culturally sensitive and age-appropriate education
• Direct students to healthcare professionals when support requires clinical assessment, a need for prescription, or medical diagnosis
• Seek to foster a cooperative, respectful, and positive relationship with the healthcare team

The CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator is not a clinician and therefore does not:

• Dispense medical advice
• Diagnose medical conditions
• Prescribe/administer herbal or over-the-counter medications
• Perform clinical procedures or treatments of any kind
• Advise families to act against medical advice

CCCEs work within CAPPA’s standards of practice to uphold the following (available to read as individual documents): code of conduct, grievance policy, mission statement, vision statement, organization philosophy, and social media policy. CCCEs use current, evidence-based information in their practice. They maintain their knowledge and skills through continuing education and work within the legal framework of their individual community and region.