If you are working with an agency, an agency owner can validate hours for nonprivate clients.
Become a Certified Newborn Care Specialist or Postpartum Doula
You can now obtain certification through The Newborn Care Training Academy! To obtain certification you may follow the steps below. NCTA provides a service to the public by identifying individuals who demonstrate the knowledge required for the competent care of newborns. By extension, NCTA seeks to promote, protect and support newborn care for individuals and society.
APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS
- Complete your Newborn Care Specialist/Postpartum Doula training course through The Newborn Care Training Academy within the last five years.
- Pass your final exam and receive your certificate of completion.
- A refresher course is available for $50.
- Proof of examination is required for application.
- Complete 1000 contact hours.
- Serve a minimum of 3 clients.
- At least one client must have twins or triplets.
- Hours worked with clients from birth to 4 months of age are eligible.
- Eligible shifts include 1-12-hour shifts, 24-hour shifts, and service dates up to 2 years prior.
- Consultations and sleep training clients are applicable.
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Compile your resume and references for submission with your application.
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Your resume does not need to include detailed client duties.
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References should include written testimonials about your services.
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Three references are required.
- A current background check and current infant CPR/First Aid certification are required.
- Certificates will need to be uploaded as proof.
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It is recommended to use an Excel spreadsheet to compile your hours for submission.
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If you are working with an agency, an agency owner can validate your hours for non-private clients.
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You still need to provide your hours on an Excel spreadsheet, but client contact information is not required if you have an agency validation letter.
- Click here for an example of how to submit your hours.
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Once you have completed all five prerequisites, you are ready to move on to Step 2 and submit your application.
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You will be required to pay an application fee of $100 to finalize your submission.
Ready to Apply?
Submit Application HereFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW LONG IS MY CERTIFICATION VALID?
IS THE NEWBORN CARE TRAINING ACADEMY ACCREDITED?
AM I REQUIRED TO TAKE THE NCTA TRAINING COURSE?
IS THERE AN EXPIRATION ON WHEN I LAST TOOK MY NCTA COURSE?
I TOOK MY NCTA COURSE OVER 5 YEARS AGO, CAN I APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION?
WHO IS REVIEWING CREDENTIALS FOR CERTIFICATION?
WHY ARE WE REQUIRED TO HAVE 1000 HOURS OF CONTACT CARE WITH NEWBORNS?
WHAT IF MY CLIENT IS NOT WILLING TO BE A REFERENCE?
CAN I APPLY FOR MY CERTIFICATION BEFORE I HAVE OBTAINED MY CONTACT HOURS?
CAN AN AGENCY OWNER VALIDATE NON PRIVATE CLIENTS?
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION?
WHAT IS MY TITLE ONCE I AM CERTIFIED?
RECERTIFICATION
To obtain re-certification, follow the steps below.
Complete an additional 20 hours of newborn care related course work.
Complete 500 additional contact hours.
A current background check and current infant CPR/First Aid certification are required.
