Pathway 1: You Are New to the Childbirth Education Field

Those new to the childbirth education field are required to:

1.    Provide documentation of successful completion of a Lamaze Accredited Childbirth Education Program Seminar and self study from Lamaze Study Guide (via enrollment form from Lamaze Program/Seminar). Candidates must sit for the exam with in three years of completing the seminar.
2.    Provide documentation of childbirth education practice teaching experience with a mentor/observer.  Practice teaching may be achieved in a variety of ways, including practice teaching approved by a Lamaze Program Director or another childbirth educator mentor.

OR

1.    Provide documentation of successful completion of a formal course on teaching childbirth education (i.e., Lamaze International, ICEA, Bradley, Birthing from Within, Birth Works, CAPPA, Childbirth International).
2.    Provide documentation of childbirth education practice teaching experience with a mentor/observer.  Practice teaching may be achieved in a variety of ways, including practice teaching approved by a Lamaze Program Director or other childbirth educator mentor.
3.    Provide documentation of 25 contact hours of continuing education in the past three years (continuing education must be in addition to formal course and directly related to the Lamaze Childbirth Educator competencies that promote natural, safe, and healthy pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and early parenting) OR completion of the 4 Lamaze Childbirth Education Learning modules (available July 1, 2010.)

Pathway 2: You Are an Experienced Childbirth Educator

Experienced childbirth educators are eligible to sit for the Lamaze Certification Exam if they meet the following criteria:

1.    Must be a licensed health professional (i.e., RN, PT, MD), OR hold a bachelor’s degree or higher OR provide documentation of successful completion of a formal course on teaching childbirth education (i.e., Lamaze International, ICEA, Bradley, Birthing from Within, Birth Works, CAPPA, Childbirth International).
2.    Provide documentation of 25 contact hours of continuing education in the past three years (continuing education must be in addition to formal course and directly related to the Lamaze Childbirth Educator competencies that promote natural, safe, and healthy pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and early parenting) OR completion of the 4 Lamaze Childbirth Education Learning modules (available July 1, 2010.)
3.      Provide documentation of 60 hours of childbirth education teaching experience in the past three years. Childbirth education may include pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, sibling and postpartum classes.

Experienced educators are welcome to attend a Lamaze Childbirth Educator Seminar for review and to earn 20 Contact Hours toward their exam eligibility. 

Contact hours also are available through a variety of other programs offered by Lamaze International, and by a host of approved providers of continuing education.

Pathway 3: You Are a Midwife

Midwives are eligible to take the Lamaze Certification Exam if they meet the following criteria:

1.   Provide documentation of attending a special one-day workshop, the Lamaze “Fast-Track for Midwives” seminar or full Lamaze Childbirth Educator Seminar.

    OR

1.    Childbirth Educator Training:  Provide documentation of completion of another formal course on teaching childbirth education (i.e., ICEA, Bradley, Birthing from Within, Birth Works, CAPPA, Childbirth International).
2.    Continuing Education: Provide documentation of 25 contact hours of continuing education in the past three years (continuing education must be in addition to formal course and directly related to the LAMAZE Childbirth Educator competencies that promote natural, safe, and healthy pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and early parenting) OR completion of the 4 Lamaze Childbirth Education Learning modules (available July 1, 2010.)