Oregon Doula Competency Assessment
The Oregon Health Authority requires Traditional Health Workers to reapply every three years for recertification.
If your THW certification has lapsed for six, or more, months and you need to reapply for THW Registry approval, you must either:
Retake a doula training through an OHA-approved doula training organization, or
Take and pass the OHA approved competency test for doulas.
In addition, you will need to have and submit at least 20 hours of Continuing Education hours (CEs) during every three-year renewal period
Any educational hours that support the Birth Doula scope of work. Please collect proof of completion with CE hours, name, date, and training organization.
OHA-approved THW CE training programs found on our THW Training Programs webpage or any OHA approved event or training
At least three (3) of the 20 hours must be from suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management appropriate to the birth doula scope of work.
A current CPR certification for children/infants and adults
Competency Test Process:
This is a two-part exam. The written knowledge test covers the core curricula competency topics listed in OAR 950-060-0150. This is a closed book test and no reference materials or internet searches are allowed while testing.
A doula will need to pass with an 80% score, and may try up to three times to pass the written portion of the competency test. If the doula cannot pass within three attempts, the doula should retake a doula training through an OHA-approved doula training program in order to reapply to the THW Registry. For doulas who need to test verbally, instead of in written format, they can indicate this in the Informed-choice needs assessment to request a one-on-one test proctor for verbal testing.
Upon passing the written or verbal portion of the competency test, the doula will also need to set up a time for in-person skills testing, through approved doula proctors or online if an approved doula proctored is not available within a reasonable timeframe or travel location.
Please note that this is a multi-step process that may take several weeks to complete. After completing the written and skills testing, results will be reviewed within 30 days and at which time a certificate will be issued.
You may request your results to be expedited (14 days) for an additional cost ($250.00)
If your recertification has lapsed for six, or more, months and you need to renew your THW designation, you will either need to retake a foundational OHA-approved training or pass the OHA-Approved, and commissioned, Competency Test that was developed by doulas and doula educators in the Oregon.
This competency test was commissioned by OHA and developed by doulas and doula educators in the Oregon community.