Yes, a Birth Assistant, also known as a Midwife's Assistant, is a healthcare professional specifically trained to support community midwives with births in out-of-hospital settings, such as homes or free-standing birth centers. They provide support during labor, birth, and postpartum care. Birth Assistants typically work as independent contractors and are primarily hired by direct-entry midwives.Under the supervision of a midwife, a Birth Assistant performs various duties. These include taking maternal and fetal vital signs, charting, setting up equipment, maintaining a clean and organized birth space, and providing assistance in obstetrical emergencies, among other essential birth assistant responsibilities.🎥 RESOURCE VIDEOS: WATCH NOW: (CLICK HERE) What is a birth assistant / clinical assistant? WATCH NOW: (CLICK HERE) SANM Brand Film

No, you do not need a degree or a medical background to become a Birth Assistant. While there is no national accrediting body for this role, clinical proficiency is a vital neccessity. I designed the Blueprint for Clinical Excellence to ensure your skills meet the high-level professional standards community midwives expect and deserve. Please note that it is your responsibility to perform due diligence regarding your specific state laws and regulations for birth assistants.

No. To maintain the academic integrity and the fast-paced nature of the curriculum, 3 out-of-hospital birth experiences (home birth or freestanding birth center) or verified Labor & Delivery or Mother-Baby unit clinical experience are a non-negotiable prerequisite for our programs. I require my students to have a baseline rhythm of the birth room before we begin the advanced clinical training required for certification.If you are ready to cross the bridge but need to anchor your 3 out-of-hospital birth experiences, I recommend preparing for enrollment by:Shadowing an Experienced Community-Based Birth Doula: Connect with an active community-based birth doula and ask to shadow or observe her. This is one of the fastest ways to obtain and witness the flow of out-of-hospital birth.Networking with Midwives: Reach out to home birth midwives or freestanding birth centers in your area to inquie about silence observer opportunities or birth team cleanup roles.Documenting Your Attendance: To help you track your progress, I have created an Out-of-Hospital Birth Observation Record Form. Use this to document your attendance. The bridge will be here when you’re ready. Once you’ve secured your 3 documented out-of-hospital birth experiences, I invite you to take our Birth Assistant Readiness Quiz and begin your clinical bridge. [Take the Birth Assistant Readiness Quiz Here]

No, not for every path. While real-world birth room experience is a mandatory foundation for our training, your specific professional background determines how you verify your readiness to enter:Pathway 1: The Community-Based Birth Doula Path: Yes. You must provide documented proof of 3 out-of-hospital birth experiences (home birth or freestanding birth center) completed within the last 24 months to be admitted into the program.Pathway 2 & 3: The Student Midwife & Practicing Birth Assistant Paths: No, if you are currently training or working alongside a community midwife. Your clinical status is verified by providing an active NARM PEP agreement, official midwifery school enrollment verification letter or a current employment verification letter from a midwifery practice or freestanding birth center. However, if you are navigating a practice transition, you may fulfill your prerequisite requirement by providing documented proof of 3 out-of-hospital birth experiences (home birth or freestanding birth center) completed within the last 24 months.Pathway 4: The Healthcare Professional (Clinical Transitioner) Path (RN, LPN, PA, CNA, PCT, PCA, CMA): Your entry requirements depend entirely on the program track you qualify for:○  The Hybrid Program: You must provide your valid clinical license or certification, plus EITHER verified Labor & Delivery or Mother-Baby unit clinical experience OR documented proof of 3 out-of-hospital birth experiences (home birth or freestanding birth center) completed within the last 24 months to be admitted into the program.○  The Online Program: You must provide your valid clinical license or certification plus verified Labor & Delivery or Mother-Baby unit clinical experience OR documented proof of 3 out-of-hospital birth experiences (home birth or freestanding birth center) completed within the last 24 months. Additionally, you must submit a mandatory Midwife Attestation Letter with your formal application, confirming a written intent for clinical supervision from a licensed, certified, or traditional community midwife within your respective jurisdiction to oversee your eventual clinical training. If you do not have this written agreement secured before applying, you must apply via the Hybrid Pathway.For Certification (All Pathways):Regardless of your entry pathway, all students must fulfill their clinical requirements by completing 3 continuity-of-care cases. This is achieved by actively participating in 3 prenatal visits and an additional 3 out-of-hospital births under the direct clinical supervision of a licensed, certified, or traditional community midwife within their respective jurisdiction to receive your certificate of completion.

To choose the right educational vehicle for your journey, consider your professional background, your location, and your access to active clinical midwifery supervision.Choose the Online Program if: You are a highly independent learner seeking self-guided study structure. This program allows you to master the modules at your own pace from any location. It is designed exclusively for candidates who already possess documented out-of-hospital birth experiences or hospital Labor & Delivery or Mother-Baby unit clinical backgrounds, and who have already secured their mandatory, upfront written clinical supervison or employment agreement with a community midwife.Choose the Hybrid Program if: You thrive on immersive, in-person muscle-memory training and structured group accountability. This program is essential for those seeking face-to-face skills validation in Central Florida, weekly live virtual clinical support hours, and direct personalized clinical feedback from the Academy Director. It is the mandatory starting path if you do not have a written clinical supervision or employment agreement secured with a community midwife prior to applying.Both programs lead to the same high-level Black Sisters Birth Academy® credential. Program Comparison Chart:Copyright© 2026 Black Sisters Birth Academy®

Here's what's included in the Black Sisters Birth Academy® Online Birth Assistant Program:Black Sisters Birth Academy® Online Birth Assistant Course: A 10-week online course consisting of 30 pre-recorded modules, training videos, 30 interactive quizzes, 10 internal assignments and 1 comprehensive exit exam.BSBA Clinical Experience Course: This course guides you through the clinical phase of your program requirements to complete your 3 continuity of care cases (including 3 prenatal appointments, 3 births, and 3 placental evaluations) with a community midwife.BSBA Resource Library: Your Student Handbook, Book List, and Student Video LibraryDigital, Color-Printed Birth Assistant Manual Four Professional Certifications of Completion: Online Birth Assistant Course, HIPAA, Bloodborne Pathogens & OSHA, and Certified Online Birth Assistant Program Certification.BSBA Birth Assistant Directory Placement (Upon Graduation)PLEASE NOTE: This program does not include live, direct access to the Academy Director. This feature is exclusive to the Hybrid Program. The Online curriculum is built to be your comprehensive, fully self-guided framework to certification.Here's what's included in the Black Sisters Birth Academy® Hybrid Birth Assistant Program:Black Sisters Birth Academy® Online Birth Assistant Course: A 10-week online course consisting of 30 pre-recorded modules, training videos, 30 interactive quizzes, 10 internal assignments, and 1 comprehensive exit exam.2-Day In-Person Birth Assistant Skills Training: 18 Hour, hands-on group and individual, skill drills in Central Florida.Weekly Clinical Support Hours: Access to weekly live virtual clinical office hours within our Thinkific Student Community. Drop in to troubleshoot assignments, ask questions, run through real-world birth scenarios, and accelerate your progress alongside your peers.Personalized 1:1 Clinical Feedback: Receive direct, personalized evaluation from the Academy Director on all submitted assignments and clinical paperwork.BSBA Clinical Experience Course: This specialized course guides you through the clinical phase of your program requirements to complete your 3 continuity of care cases (including 3 prenatal appointments, 3 births, and 3 placental evaluations) with a community midwife.BSBA Resource Library: Your Student Handbook, Book List, and Student Video LibraryFive Professional Certifications of Completion: Online Birth Assistant Course, HIPAA, Bloodborne Pathogens & OSHA, 2-Day In-Person Birth Assistant Skills Training, and Certified Hybrid Birth Assistant Program Certification.BSBA Birth Assistant Directory Placement (Upon Graduation)Black Sisters Birth Academy® Tote BagAcademy Motto T-Shirt: BIRTH: It's What We DOProfessionally Catered, Plant-Based Meals: Breakfast and lunch provided daily during your in-person training.

For the Online Program: Application Windows: Application windows are offered on a rolling basis throughout the year. Initial Application Window: Upon completing Step 1 (The Birth Assistant Readiness Quiz) of our admissions process, qualified online bridge candidates, are granted a one-time 14-day application window to submit your required documents to apply. 7-Day Monthly Application Windows: If you miss your initial 14-day application window, qualified online bridge candidates maintain the option to apply through our automated monthly portal notifications, which open access for 7 days at the start of every month.The Enrollment Window: Upon acceptance, you will have 7 days to complete your enrollment and secure your spot in our online program. For the Hybrid Program: 7-Day Application Window: The application window opens once a year in January for our Spring Cohort. Please reference our official hybrid admissions calendar below:OFFICIAL HYBRID ADMISSIONS CALENDER2027 HYBRID COHORT:APPLICATION WINDOW:APPLICATION DEADLINE:SPRINGJanuary 19- January 26, 2027Tuesday, January 26, 2027 at 11:59 PM ETCohort Capacity: We accept a maximum of six students per annual enrollment period.The Enrollment Window: Upon acceptance, you will have 48 hours to complete your enrollment and secure your spot in our hybrid program.PLEASE NOTE: Only qualified applicants will be considered for enrollment into Black Sisters Birth Academy®. [CLICK HERE: To View Our Academy Prerequisites and Admissions Process] before applying.

The Online Birth Assistant Program is designed in Two Phases, and completion of both phases is required for certification.PHASE ONE (Didactic Foundation Phase): • Completion of our Online Birth Assistant Course• Provide proof of a valid CPR Certification (External Certification)**• Provide proof of a valid NRP (Advanced Provider) Certification (External Certification)**• Completion of the Phlebotomy, Venipuncture, and IV Techniques Course (External Certification)***PHASE TWO (Clinical Experience Phase): • Completion of your Clinical Experience with a community midwife(s):Actively participate in 3 prenatal visits (at 28 weeks +) and 3 out-of-hospital births. The Hybrid Birth Assistant Program is designed in Three Phases, and completion of each phase is required for certification.PHASE ONE (Didactic Foundation Phase): • Completion of our Online Birth Assistant Course• Provide proof of a valid CPR Certification (External Certification)**• Provide proof of a valid NRP (Advanced Provider) Certification (External Certification)**• Completion of the Phlebotomy, Venipuncture, and IV Techniques Course (External Certification)***PHASE TWO (Hands-On Skills Training Phase): • Completion of a 2-Day In-Person Birth Assistant Skills Training in Central FloridaPHASE THREE (Clinical Experience Phase): • Completion of your Clinical Experience with a community midwife(s):Actively participate in 3 prenatal visits (at 28+ weeks gestation) and 3 out-of-hospital births.**Note on External Certifications: To uphold the Black Sisters Birth Academy® Standard for Clinical Readiness, all students must obtain or maintain active external certifications to transition into their clinical experience or hands-on skills training phases of our program. A curated list of approved providers is available directly within our Clinical Readiness FAQ under the question: [Where do I obtain the required external clinical certifications?] and is provided exclusively upon enrollment.***Note on Phlebotomy, Venipuncture, and IV Techniques Course: Exemptions are available for qualified healthcare professionals (RN, LPN, PA, CNA, PCT, PCA, CMA) for the Phlebotomy, Venipuncture, and IV Techniques course requirement upon verification. Please review our Academy Policies to verify your specific exemption criteria and our submission process.

Black Sisters Birth Academy® Online Birth Assistant Course is a 10-week online curriculum-based course with pre-recorded modules and external assignments to be completed within the course. Three (3) modules are released each week. You will receive a certificate of completion for the online course after all assignments are completed and after you have successfully passed your exit exam with an 80% or higher.

All programs (Online and Hybrid) must be completed within 180 days from your enrollment date.ONLINE PROGRAM COMPLETION TIMEFRAME (RECOMMENDED): PHASE ONE (Didactic Foundation Phase): Complete within 90 days from the date of your enrollment. PHASE TWO (Clinical Experience Phase): Complete at any point within 180 days from the date of your enrollment AFTER completion of PHASE ONE. IMPORTANT: Completion of PHASE ONE is MANDATORY before entering PHASE TWO.HYBRID PROGRAM COMPLETION TIMEFRAME (MANDATORY): PHASE ONE (Didactic Foundation Phase): Must be completed within the first 90 days from your enrollment date, or before your scheduled date in-person training for PHASE TWO.PHASE TWO (Hands-On Skills Training Phase): Must be completed by the scheduled date of your in-person training, and only after you have successfully completed PHASE ONE.PHASE THREE (Clinical Experience Phase): Can only be completed after the successful completion of PHASE TWO.IMPORTANT: In the Hybrid program, it is mandatory to complete PHASE ONE before starting PHASE TWO, and PHASE TWO must be completed before beginning PHASE THREE.

No. Black Sisters Birth Academy® teaches you the comprehensive clinical theory behind these advanced skills inside our modules. You do not need to hold this certification before applying or enrolling. However, to meet our standard for clinical readiness, all students must obtain the Certificate of Achievement in Venipuncture and Phlebotomy to move forward in our program. Upon enrollment, the specific course and training kit link will be provided exclusively within your student portal. Exemptions: Exemptions are available for qualified healthcare professionals (RN, LPN, PA, CNA, PCT, PCA, CMA) who hold an active license or certification. Please review our Academy Policies to verify your specific exemption criteria and our submission process.

To uphold the Black Sisters Birth Academy® Standard for Clinical Readiness, all students must obtain or maintain active external certifications in CPR, NRP, and the Phlebotomy, Venipuncture, and IV Techniques course to move forward in our program. Exemptions: Exemptions are available for qualified healthcare professionals (RN, LPN, PA, CNA, PCT, PCA, CMA) for the Phlebotomy, Venipuncture, and IV Techniques course requirement upon verification. Please review our Academy Policies to verify your specific exemption criteria and our submission process.To confirm your external certifications align with our academy standards, below is the list of approved providers for each required certification:For CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Certification:US Residents: American Heart Association American Red Cross Canadian Residents:Canadian Red Cross For NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) Certification:US Residents: American Academy of Pediatrics Canadian Residents:Canadian Paediatric Society Please note: For all non-exempt students, the specific Phlebotomy, Venipuncture, and IV Techniques course and training kit link will be provided exclusively within your student portal immediately upon enrollment.

No. Black Sisters Birth Academy® does not provide manual midwife preceptor matching or direct clinical site placements. All students are responsible for securing their own clinical preceptor or midwifery practice relationship.However, we provide a structured clinical framework to guide you on how to secure your hands-on experience with a community midwife of your choice. You recieve our comprehensive interview and clinical portfolios, designed to position you to show up as a prepared, high-level assest from day one.

Yes. Our Hybrid Program includes a mandatory, 2-day, 18-hour in-person skills training held in Central Florida. I intentionally keep enrollment to a maximum of six students per cohort to preserve the quality of our engagement, and provide personalized group skill drills and one-on-one clinical skills validation from me. (Detailed travel and venue logistics are provided to you upon enrollment.)I also offer scheduled Clinical Intensive Recertification sessions for my alumnae network. These 18-hour in-person skills training are available to graduates of both the Online and Hybrid programs to fulfill their biennial recertification and maintain their active professional standing. To preserve the quality of the training, I host these on an on-demand basis for small groups (minimum of 3, maximum of 6). If you and your fellow alumnae are ready for a Clinical Intensive to fulfill your renewal criteria, you may submit a request directly to our admissions desk at support@blacksistersbirth.com to secure a placement for our scheduled January or July sessions.

Online Birth Assistant Program: Pay-In-Full: $1,997 USD (One-time payment at enrollment.) Installment Plan: $2,196.70 USD (Five monthly payments of $439.34 USD)* *This option includes a 10% Tuition Management & Enrollment Fee. Hybrid Birth Assistant Program: Pay-In-Full Savings: $5,000 USD (One-time payment at enrollment.) Installment Plan: $5,500 USD (Four monthly payments of $1,375 USD)* *This option includes a 10% Tuition Management & Enrollment Fee. Additional Professional Requirements: To fully prepare for practice, students should budget an additional $250–$350 for professional equipment (e.g., Doppler, blood pressure cuff), clinical supplies, and required CPR and NRP certifications if not already certified.* * Estimated costs for equipment and external certifications are subject to market rates and may vary by provider. Flexible Financing via Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): For those who prefer smaller installments while securing the Pay-In-Full Savings, we offer third-party financing through Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, and PayPal Pay. To access these installment options, please select the 'Pay In Full' tuition choice at checkout. Please note that eligibility and financing terms are determined solely by the third-party provider.

Yes. Both our Online and Hybrid programs are intentionally designed to prepare you for professional employment. Upon completion, you will possess the clinical portfolio, the required safety certifications, and a listing in our Birth Assistant Directory to help midwives find and verify your expertise. Please note that while our curriculum provides rigorous, comprehensive training, each community midwife, freestanding birth center, and state jurisdiction determines specific hiring requirements. Our directory is built specifically to bridge this gap, connecting you with community midwives who value the Black Sisters Birth Academy® standard for clinical readiness.

While rates vary by state, the national average for a trained Birth Assistant is $400–$600 per birth. Because our certification programs prepare you to step into this role with comprehensive clinical readiness, our curriculum is designed to position you to enter the field as a high-level professional partner whose first clinical opportunities can fully cover your training investment.To put that into perspective: for our online certified birth assistants, just 4-5 births typically covers your entire tuition. For our hybrid certified birth assistants, you can see a full return on your investment in about 10-12 births. Once you’ve crossed that bridge, your investment is more than a step forward in your career—it is a direct contribution to sustaining the legacy of community midwifery care.