How do I become a Certified Doula in Canada?
- Dec 18, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 13
Are you passionate about supporting women during the transformative experience of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum? Becoming a certified doula in Canada can open the door to meaningful, flexible, and deeply rewarding work.
Because doula care is not government regulated, choosing education can feel overwhelming. After training doulas for many years, I’ve seen how much clarity matters at the beginning. That freedom is beautiful, but it can also make choosing your education feel confusing.
I’ve been supporting pregnancy clients since 2004, fertility clients since 2007, and training doulas since 2010. In this guide, I want to walk you through what actually matters so you can choose a path that fits your life, your values, and the kind of support you want to offer families.
Watch first - How to become a doula in Canada
If you prefer to learn by listening, I explain this entire pathway, things you may not have considered, and how to choose training in the video below.
Why I Created This Kind of Doula Education
My path into doula work began through reflexology. I was supporting fertility and pregnancy clients and quickly realized families needed more than appointments. They needed continuous emotional support, advocacy, and someone who understood both the physical and spiritual dimensions of the reproductive journey.
I later became a trainer within a large, conventional doula organization. While I valued that experience, I often felt limited in how I could teach. My own work with clients was deeply holistic and spiritual, yet many programs focused primarily on procedures and protocols.
Eventually I knew I needed to create something different.
By the Moon was built to bring together evidence-based care, practical skills, and the deeper emotional and energetic understanding that many families and doulas are craving. It allows students to grow into confident professionals while also honouring intuition, personal healing, and whole-person care.
Step by Step - How to become a doula in Canada
Step 1 - Understanding the role of the doula
Doulas provide emotional support, education, advocacy, and comfort. We are not medical providers. Instead, we help families make informed decisions and feel confident throughout the reproductive journey.
Step 2 - Decide what kind of a doula you want to be
Modern doula work is expansive. You might focus on:
Fertility
Birth
Postpartum
Pregnancy and infant loss
Prenatal education
Holistic reproductive wellness
Many doulas combine several areas or create careers that do not involve attending births at all.
Step 3 – Choose Education That Fits Your Life
Training programs differ widely. Consider:
Online vs in-person vs hybrid
Access to mentorship
Philosophy and culture
Whether births are required
Business education
Opportunities to add modalities like reflexology or Reiki
Flexibility if you are working or parenting
Step 4 – Complete Certification Requirements
This typically includes coursework, assignments, readings, and live learning components. Confidence develops through practice and support.
Step 5 – Learn How to Build Your Practice
Many excellent doulas leave training without understanding marketing, communication, income planning, or professional boundaries. Business skills are essential for long-term success.
A Truth I’ve Witnessed After Training Doulas for Years
The biggest struggle I see is not learning how to support clients.
It’s building a sustainable business afterward.
Many compassionate, talented doulas finish their education full of passion but unsure how to find clients, price their services, communicate their value, or create stability month after month.
Doula business is not the same as running a tech company or a retail store. It requires relationship building, community trust, ethical marketing, and a deep understanding of how families make decisions.
After more than two decades of growing my own holistic practice, I created a business course specifically for doulas. It is thorough, practical, and simplified so students can move from learning into earning with far more confidence.
Choosing the Right Doula Training Program
Selecting the right training program is a crucial first step. By the Moon offers a comprehensive online training option, allowing you to balance your learning with other commitments. The flexibility of online training accommodates various lifestyles, making it accessible for those with diverse schedules and responsibilities. It also makes training more accessible for students who cannot find an in person training option in their area.
When choosing a doula training school there is much to consider so that you can find the school that is a good match for your needs. Below is a list of questions to consider:
Size of school Large schools with thousands of students can be reassuring to some while others will prefer a small and more personal learning experience.
Online, in person or hybrid learning options Do you need the accessibility that online training offers or would you enjoy the benefits of hands on in person training?
What is the culture or ideology of your ideal doula school?
A doula school may be more conventional and mainstream to appeal to the majority of students while others may be more focused on minority groups, spirituality or a holistic perspective. Doula schools can be as varied as the people who want to be doulas.
What types of doula training are offered?
The days of doulas being limited to attending births or offering postpartum support are in the past. Schools may offer Fertility Doula, Death Doula, Pregnancy Loss Doula and more.
Requirement of Certifying Births
Some doula programs require students to attend a minimum number of births as a requirement of certification, but not all do.
Ongoing membership costs or recertification requirements
Some schools require doulas to complete regular recertification to maintain certification status.
What Many Future Doulas Wish They Knew Before Enrolling
Over the years, students often tell me they wish someone had explained:
You can create a successful practice without attending births.
Additional modalities provide income stability.
Ongoing mentorship matters more than brand name.
Your own healing and self-development are part of becoming an excellent doula.
Community support prevents burnout.
Understanding these realities can dramatically change how you choose your education.
The By the Moon Approach to Doula Training
At By the Moon, we offer Holistic Full Spectrum Doula education, which includes fertility, birth, postpartum, and loss support within one comprehensive program.
We are a small school. Students receive real mentorship, direct access to instructors, and support not only in learning skills but in becoming confident professionals.
Our approach blends practical training, emotional intelligence, spiritual awareness, and strong business foundations. Many students also expand their education by adding Foot and Hand Reflexology Certification and Usui Reiki training, creating multiple streams of income and more ways to serve their communities.
Some of our alumni attend births, others build thriving practices in prenatal education, postpartum care, or fertility support. By the Moon training provides the knowledge and skills to build a thriving doula practice, even during seasons of your life where it isn't practical to be attending births.
After completing requirements, certification is for life. Optional membership is available for continued seminars and community connection, but it is never mandatory.
Over the years, I have watched hundreds of students move from uncertainty to confident professional practice, and I designed this training to make that transition smoother and more supported.
The By the Moon Doula training program includes:
Live Online Seminars: Attend scheduled live online seminars where you can interact with experienced trainers, ask questions, and connect with fellow students.
Recorded Lectures: Access recorded lectures to review inspiring and informative curriculum at times that work for you. Whether you are a weekend learner or a late night learner, you can access our selection of recordings whenever you learn best.
Reading Material: Dive into a comprehensive manual that provides you with the theoretical knowledge and resources needed to excel as a doula.
Assignments: Complete and submit assignments that reinforce your understanding and practical application of the concepts covered. Many of these assignments become practical resources for you to use with your doula clients.
In Person Training (Optional): Attend in person training to practice hands on skills, comfort measures and holistic reproductive healing techniques.
Doula Certification Requirements in Canada
Understanding the certification requirements is essential. By completing the online training with By the Moon, you'll acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to meet certification standards. This includes fulfilling coursework, participating in live sessions, and successfully completing assignments.
Doula work is an unregulated modality in Canada. Certification provides professional doulas with the confidence and skills they need to create a thriving doula business in their communities.
Can You Make a Living as a Doula?
Yes. Especially when your education includes multiple ways to support clients.
Many of our graduates combine doula services with reflexology, Reiki, coaching, or education. This creates consistent income, diversified services, and resilience in changing markets.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Doula in Canada
Do I need medical experience?
No.
How long does certification take?
Most students complete training within 10–24 months depending on the pace.
What if I have never given birth or had a c-section?
Giving birth is absolutely not a prerequisite to being a good doula. Quality training provides the knowledge, skills and confidence to be present with families through all kinds of birth experiences whether they are at home, birth center or hospital, natural or medicated.
Can I train while working or raising children?
Yes. Flexible online education makes this possible.
Are payment plans available?
Yes.
Your Doula Journey Begins With the Right Support
Becoming a doula is both professional training and personal transformation. When you find the right educational home, the path becomes clearer and far less overwhelming.
The Journey Beyond Certification
Upon completing your training with By the Moon, you'll be well-equipped to embark on your journey as a certified doula. This might involve building your doula practice, joining an established doula service, or even pursuing further specialization within the field. All By the Moon training programs include our Holistic Business Building Course that covers everything from income and expenses to insurance to website building and more.
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