This page includes information on the following:
- THW Birth Doula Certification and Recertification Requirements
- Resources for Completing State Certification
- Application and Approval Process
- Standards of Professional Conduct
Birth Doula Certification and Recertification Requirements
In order to become an Oregon State Certified Traditional Health Worker (THW) Birth Doula to be able to serve Oregon Health Plan members and be reimbursed for those services, you must complete the requirements below plus the application and approval process.
“Equivalent credit” means an individual has fulfilled the requirements by completing a comparable course or combination of courses through a nationally or internationally recognized doula certification organization. The childbirth education and labor/birth doula training courses taken should cover the core curriculum topics described below:
Birth Doula Certification Standards
Oregon training requirements are comprehensive and require in-person training because of the need for a highly competent and skilled workforce to serve the greater needs and diversity of the Medicaid recipient populations. Midwifery education, nursing training, or online childbirth and doula training courses are not accepted as substitutions for in-person doula training.
950-060-0150 is the set of administrative rules that establishes the criteria, description, and training requirements for Traditional Health Workers, including a Birth Doula
All birth doulas seeking certification with the state shall complete the following:
A minimum of 40 contact hours that include the following:
- A minimum of 28
in-person contact hours addressing the core curricula topics set forth in section (2) of this rule through an Authority-approved training program for birth doulas or through another training program provided by a birth doula certification organization.*
- Six contact hours in cultural competency training;
- Six contact hours in one or more of the following topics as they relate to birth doula care:
- One hour of Inter-professional collaboration;
- One hour of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance; and
- Four hours of Trauma-informed care.
Be CPR-certified for children and adults
Complete an OHA-approved oral health training
Create a community resource list on an OHA-approved form
Document attendance at a minimum of three births and three postpartum visits using an OHA-approved form
Resources for completing State Doula Certification
To meet the minimum 28 in-person training hours:
Find a list of
OHA-Approved Doula Trainings. Type
"Birth Doula Training" in the search bar.
In addition to these requirements:
At Least Six (6) Contact Hours of Cultural Competency
OHA-approved
Cultural Competency trainings are listed on the OEI website or you can take in-person courses through an accredited higher education institution, local hospital or medical clinic. An online course for Cultural Competency is
Think Cultural Health. Recommended is the e-learning course for Nurses and Social Workers, which is a free course worth 9 CEUs.
To demonstrate completion, please submit a certificate of attendance, copy of transcript of letter from the instructor of organization showing your successful completion of these courses.
At Least One (1) Contact Hour of Inter-Professional Collaboration
PDX Doulas offers the Collaborative Practice course in the Portland Metro area. Other such courses should clearly indicate that the topics covered relate to communication and professionalism when working with other health care team members. It is a good idea to submit a brief topic outline along with the certificate of attendance. Courses can be taken through local hospitals or clinics or in online courses.
At Least One (1) Contact Hour of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
At Least Four (4) Contact Hours of Trauma-Informed Care
You can take courses through an accredited higher education institution, local hospital, CCO, or e-learning options. A great resource is
Trauma-Informed Oregon
OHA-Approved Oral Health Training
Birth doulas are required to take a course on oral health training either online at
Oral Health Training or in person by an OHA-approved instructor.
CPR Certification for Adults and Infants/Children
CPR Certification can be obtained through your local Red Cross or hospitals.
Exercise the Legacy Clause by providing the verifiable evidence of attending 10 live births and providing 500 hours of community work supporting birthing persons and families in the capacity of a birth doula.
A clear copy of government issued identification
An OHA-approved oral health training
Current CPR certification for adults and infants/children
A minimum of one letter of recommendation from any previous employer for whom THW services were provided within that last five years - up until June 30, 2025. Letter must be on professional letterhead, must have author's signature and contact information.
Verifiable evidence of attending 10 births.
Verifiable evidence of providing 500 hours of community work supporting birthing persons and families in the capacity of a birth doula.
Provide a community resource list specifc to the region you are providing doula services to.
Application and Approval Process
Once you have all of your documentation, complete the following:
- Apply on the Traditional Health Worker application portal here. Please see our page on How to Become a THW for more information on the application process.
Standards of Professional Conduct
As a THW Doula, there are
Standards of Professional Conduct you are obligated to follow so you should become familiar with them.
Once you are certified, go to "Guidelines for THW Doulas Serving OHP Members" for information on how to get started serving OHP clients and being reimbursed.