Free Doula Training: Introduction to Being a Doula
Thinking about becoming a doula? Find out if this is your path, free, from the school that has trained doulas worldwide since 2000.
You’ve been wondering if you could be a doula
Something in you lights up when you hear the word. Maybe you’ve felt it at a birth. Maybe someone showed up for you when you needed it most, and you’ve never forgotten. Maybe you’ve been carrying this idea quietly for years, searching “how to become a doula” late at night and closing the tab before you let yourself hope.
Stop wondering. Start here.
Introduction to Being a Doula is a free online doula training course from Birth Arts International. In a few short lessons, you’ll get the real picture of this work from the inside, taught by someone who has spent more than twenty-five years doing it.
What you’ll learn in this free doula course
What Is a Doula?
Definitions, history, and the core philosophy behind doula care. Where the profession came from, why research on continuous support is so strong, and what makes a doula different from a midwife, nurse, or childbirth educator.
Types of Doulas and Your Certification Pathways
Birth doula, postpartum doula, and the specialties growing out of both. Which one is calling you, and which BAI pathway fits where you’re starting from, whether you’re brand new, a nurse, or an experienced doula.
Job Description and Scope of Practice
Exactly what a birth doula and a postpartum doula do on an ordinary day, and the one boundary that makes the role powerful. Three lessons with handouts.
Salaries and Career Planning
The real numbers. What birth and postpartum doulas earn right now by experience and market, how doulas get paid, and our 2026 Doula Salary Guide, free to download.
Building a Doula Practice or Integrated Roles
Five practice models, four questions to help you choose, and a ninety-day plan for your first three months after certification.
Why Birth Arts International?
BAI has been training doulas since 2000, with tens of thousands of students worldwide. Our Doula and Postpartum Doula certifications are recognized by Medicaid programs in multiple states, by Carrot Fertility and Maven, and by SpouseWorks (formerly MYCAA) for military spouses. Every program is online and self-paced. Every graduate is certified for life, with no renewal fees, no grading fees, and no recertification fees. And every student gets direct access to our founder, live mentorship, and a classroom full of resources that grows every day.
Who is this free doula training for?
- Anyone who has wondered if they could be a doula
- Parents who want to support other families
- Nurses, midwives, and healthcare workers
- Childbirth educators
- Breastfeeding Educators and Counselors
- Massage therapists and herbalists
- Experienced doulas considering a crossover
- Military spouses
- Anyone wanting a meaningful, flexible profession
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this doula training really free?
Yes. Introduction to Being a Doula is completely free. No credit card, no trial period, no hidden fees. You get lifetime access to the lessons and handouts.
How long does the free course take?
Most students finish in two to three hours. It’s self-paced, so you can take as long as you like.
Do I need any experience to start?
None at all. This course is designed for complete beginners, though experienced birth workers and nurses find it valuable too.
Let’s talk cost: what are the fees involved with becoming a certified doula with BAI after the free course?
Doula Certification and Postpartum Doula Certification are $790 each, or three payments of $267. Nurse to Doula, Nurse to Postpartum Doula, and Crossover certifications are $695. Students who complete the free introduction receive a special enrollment discount.
Can I take BAI doula training from anywhere?
Yes. All BAI programs are fully online and self-paced, with students in all fifty states and around the world.
How much do doulas make?
Birth doulas typically charge $1,000 to $2,200 per birth starting out and $3,600 to $6,000 or more as veterans. Postpartum doulas charge $35 to $90 per hour depending on experience and location. In addition, you get a copy of our full 2026 Salary Guide.
Is there such a thing as free doula certification?
Not a legitimate one. Certification requires training, supervised experience, evaluation, and a credential that hospitals, insurers, and Medicaid programs recognize. Moreover, what you can get for free is this honest introduction, so you can decide whether doula work is right for you before you invest a dollar. We have worked to support our students since 2000.
What happens after I finish the free course?
You’ll have a clear picture of the role, your own starting numbers from the Salary Guide and worksheet, and a discount on any BAI certification if you decide to take the next step. There’s no obligation.
