Louisiana Doula Registry

Doula Care in Louisiana

A doula is an individual who has been trained to provide physical, emotional and educational support to pregnant and birthing women and their families before, during and after childbirth. For doulas registered with the Louisiana Doula Registry, this support does not include medical or midwifery care; but instead focuses on non-medical support and education.

The benefits of doula care have been documented in numerous studies, including Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth: 2017 Cochrane Review Update Key Takeaways, and include:

• Decreased C-sections (cesarean sections)

• Increased spontaneous vaginal births (vaginal births where a woman naturally goes into labor)

• Shortened duration of birth (less time in labor)

• Increased maternal satisfaction after giving birth

• Improved breastfeeding rates

• Lowered rates of preterm labor

• Lowered rates of low birth weight

As of January 1, 2024, per Louisiana RS 22:1059.2, doula care that includes physical, emotional and educational support may be covered by insurance companies for up to $1,500. 

Louisiana Doula Registry

The Louisiana Doula Registry is a database of individuals who hold registered doula status in Louisiana, granted by the Louisiana Doula Registry Board. The Registry serves as a list of doulas who have satisfied all of the requirements stipulated by Louisiana law for registration, which makes them eligible for insurance payment for doula services. Insurance companies will be able to use the registry to identify doulas who have met the registration requirements. Additionally, the public will be able to use the Registry to find registered doulas whose services may be covered by insurance. For more information, consumers need to connect with their insurance company to learn about their plan benefits.

The Louisiana Doula Registry will publish its first cohort of registered doulas in April 2025. 

Louisiana Doula Registry Board and Application Review Process

The Louisiana Doula Registry Board includes practicing doulas, doula service organizations, community representation, health care professionals, state health officials and health insurance representatives. Over the past two years, the Board has been working to develop the criteria for registration and the process for application. The requirements were officially published in the Louisiana Register on February 2024.

Starting in January 2025, the Louisiana Doula Registry Board will begin accepting applications. The Board’s role will be to review applications and make determinations about applicants’ inclusion in the Louisiana Doula Registry. Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis beginning March 2025.

The application review process is as follows:

• Doulas or doula training organizations seeking registration complete the online application, providing all required information and documentation.

• The Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health will send confirmation correspondence to the applicant at the email address provided by the applicant upon submission of their registration application.

• Office of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health will review all applications for completeness and will prepare completed applications for Louisiana Doula Registry Board review. In order for a registration to be considered at a quarterly Board meeting, it must be received four weeks in advance of the next Board meeting. Click here for a schedule of Board meetings.

• Complete applications are sent to Board members for review two weeks prior to the next Board meeting. Click here for a schedule of Board meetings.

• At the quarterly meeting of the Board, members vote on applications.

• Applicants will receive notification of acceptance or denial 2-4 weeks after the Board meeting.

Applications are now open! Apply now. 

Get Ready to Register!

For Doulas Seeking Registration

Complete the online registration and upload all required documents to the online Louisiana Doula Registry electronic application (asterisk* denotes a required document that will need to be uploaded as JPG, PDF, PNG, PowerPoint or Microsoft Word files).

Identifying Information/Demographics:

• Legal name

• Date of birth

• Address

• Phone number

• Email address

• *Recent photograph

• National Provider Identifier (NPI)

*Education: High School Equivalency Test (HISET), GED (General Educational Development), High School, College, Graduate School

Qualifications:

• Number of months/years in practice

• *Experience Pathway:

  • Submission of three letters of recommendation from clients to whom the individual has provided doula services within the previous five years. (Such letters must provide specific details concerning the names, dates and services provided); or

  • Submission of proof that the individual contracted with and provided doula services to at least three clients within the previous five years.

• *Training Pathway: Demonstrate receipt of a certificate of completion of training as a doula by a board-approved doula training organization. Doulas applying to the Doula Registry for insurance reimbursement using the Training Pathway will need to ensure that their organization is board-approved or that the organization adheres to the guidelines set forth by Louisiana Administrative Code Title 48, Part V, §§ 16701-17504.* 

Board-Approved Doula Training Organizations

The Louisiana Doula Registry Board (Board) also approves training organizations to be included on the list of board-approved training organizations. Board-approved training organizations will gain recognition as a credible and Board-approved provider of doula education, ensuring the program aligns with state-regulated standards—increasing trust from doulas and employers. Board-approved training organizations will also be listed on the Louisiana Doula Registry webpage.

In order to be an approved training organization, organizations must provide evidence of comprehensive doula training and certification, have a curriculum aligned with the Board-approved standards and adhere to continuing education and annual reporting requirements. Detailed stipulations are included in the Louisiana Administrative Code Title 48, Part V, §§ 16701-17504.*

Apply to Become a Louisiana Doula Registry-Approved Training Organization

See a List of Board-Approved Training Organizations

Timeline of the Launch of the Louisiana Doula Registry

• February 11: Louisiana Doula Registry application opens.

• February 26: Complete applications received by this date are expected to be considered for the initial Board review. Applications received after this date will be reviewed at future Board meetings.

• March 12: Louisiana Doula Registry Board will review applications, granting approval or issuing rejection for inclusion on the Louisiana Doula Registry.

• Early April: Applicants will receive notifications on status of inclusion on the Louisiana Doula Registry.

• April: The public listing of the Louisiana Doula Registry will be available. It will include the initial list of registered doulas approved by the Board for inclusion in the Registry. This list will be updated quarterly as new applications are approved.

• Ongoing: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed quarterly for inclusion on the Louisiana Doula Registry.

If you would like to be included on the email list to receive communications related to the Louisiana Doula Registry, please fill out this form. For more information, please email DoulaRegistryBoard@la.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the training program need prior approval by the Louisiana Doula Registry Board for it to qualify for my doula registration application?

No, the training program does not need prior Board approval at the time you complete it. However, the Board will review your submitted training certificate during the application process to ensure the program meets the established criteria outlined in Louisiana Administrative Code Title 48, Part V, §§ 16701-17504.*  

2. Can I take a training program that is not officially pre-approved if it meets the Louisiana Doula Registry Board's required criteria?

Yes, applicants may complete a training program that meets the criteria specified in Louisiana Administrative Code Title 48, Part V, §§ 16701-17504,* even if it is not officially pre-approved by the Board. It will be evaluated as part of your application for registration.

3. How can I determine if a training program meets the Louisiana Doula Registry Board's requirements?

Applicants can review Louisiana Administrative Code Title 48, Part V, §§ 16701-17504* and compare the program’s curriculum with the criteria listed. The Office of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health recommends reaching out to the program's administrators to confirm compliance with these requirements.

4. Will the Louisiana Doula Registry Board confirm if a specific training program qualifies before I apply?

The Board cannot pre-approve or guarantee that a specific training program will meet the requirements. However, if the program aligns with the criteria specified in Louisiana Administrative Code Title 48, Part V, §§ 16701-17504,* it should qualify for your application.

5. What are the next steps to ensure my training meets the Louisiana Doula Registry Board’s requirements?

• Compare the training program’s curriculum to the requirements in Louisiana Administrative Code Title 48, Part V, §§ 16701-17504.*
• Contact the training program directly to confirm alignment with the board's criteria.
• Consider attending a Louisiana Doula Registry Board meeting to ask questions or raise any concerns.

6. How do I find more information about the Louisiana Doula Registry process?

Individuals can refer to the Louisiana Administrative Code Title 48, Part V, §§ 16701-17504,* which outlines the requirements for board-approved training programs, application procedures and continuing education.

7. Can I attend a Louisiana Doula Registry Board meeting to ask questions or provide input?

Yes! The board holds regular meetings where public comments are welcome. If you wish to attend in person or online, contact us via email at DoulaRegistryBoard@la.gov to receive an invitation.

8. Who can I contact for additional support or clarification?

Feel free to reach out to the Louisiana Doula Registry Board via email at DoulaRegistryBoard@la.gov. We are here to assist you in navigating the application process.

*AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 22:1059.1(B)(1)(b) and R.S. 22:1059.1(G).