CAPPA Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association

What CAPPA Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association does

CAPPA Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association is a private professional certification organization founded in 1998 and operated as JMR Birth LLC, headquartered in Hoschton, Georgia. It certifies perinatal professionals across five core pathways — Certified Labor Doula (CLD), Certified Postpartum Doula (CPD), Certified Childbirth Educator (CCCE), Certified Lactation Educator (CLE), and Certified Infant & Family Educator (CIFE) — serving aspiring birth professionals, certified practitioners pursuing recertification, and families seeking vetted providers through the CAPPA Care Directory. The organization serves a network of 10,000+ certified professionals across 30+ countries and reports 25+ years of continuous operation.

The platform is built on a Kajabi-based learning management system (CAPPA Academy) for self-paced certification coursework, supplemented by an Airtable-based Trainer Hub that coordinates scheduling, registrations, and student management across a distributed trainer network. Curriculum is delivered through live workshops, live virtual sessions, and self-paced DIY pathways, with an annual membership ($75/year) providing access to community, career coaching, CEU library, and directory listing. Operational footprint is lean at 1-10 employees, with delivery scaled through tiered trainer partners (Apprentice through Advisor tiers earning 25-75% of training fees).

Revenue is generated through (1) one-time training and certification fees at $1,200 per participant, (2) recurring annual memberships at $75/year, (3) triennial recertification at $125, (4) individual CEU courses at $40 each, (5) biennial conference tickets ($225-$275) and sponsorship tiers ($300-$5,000), and (6) institutional partnerships with universities and healthcare systems. Go-to-market is sales-led, combining website direct enrollment, community word-of-mouth, the annual conference, and an institutional channel for group training.

Name

CAPPA Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association

Legal name

JMR Birth LLC

Website

https://cappa.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CAPPA is a private perinatal professional certification organization founded in 1998 that trains and certifies doulas, childbirth educators, lactation educators, and infant family educators across five pathways, serving a global network of 10,000+ certified professionals and families seeking providers via the CAPPA Care Directory.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification and Training

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• Doula certification training
• Perinatal professional education
• Childbirth educator certification
• Postpartum doula training
• Lactation educator programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Hoschton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership: Annual subscription at $75/year providing access to community, resources, training access, career coaching, and member discounts. Required for certification and maintaining credentials.
2. Training and Certification Fees: Training programs priced at $1,200 per participant. Includes comprehensive curriculum covering training, materials, membership, community access, and certification with no hidden fees. 18-month certification window from enrollment.
3. Recertification Fees: Recertification required every 3 years at $125 per certification. Includes reinstatement fee of $175 for certifications lapsed within 12 months.
4. Conference and Event Tickets: CAPPA Convening Conference tickets at $225 for members and $275 for non-members. Virtual Everywhere Access passes with $25 early-bird discount. CEU courses available at $40 each.
5. Sponsorship and Vendor Fees: Four sponsorship tiers ranging from $300 (Seed of Support) to $5,000 (Full Bloom Presenting). Vendor booth opportunities included with higher tiers.
6. CEU Courses: Continuing education unit courses available for purchase at $40 per course, worth 1-2 CEUs toward recertification requirements.
7. Trainer Tier Payouts: Trainers receive payouts based on tier percentage (25-75%) multiplied by training price ($1,200). Core Elite Independent trainers at 65% receive $780 per student.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CAPPA delivers evidence-based professional certification and continuing education for the perinatal workforce through five core certification pathways (Certified Labor Doula, Certified Postpartum Doula, Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Lactation Educator, and Certified Infant & Family Educator). Training is offered via live workshops delivered by a certified trainer network and self-paced online coursework through the CAPPA Academy, supported by an annual membership that grants community, directory listing, and CEU access. Recertification is required every three years.

Product overview

CAPPA Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association operates as a professional certification organization offering a multi-product platform centered on perinatal professional development. The core portfolio consists of five certification pathways (CLD, CPD, CCCE, CLE, and CIFE) delivered through multiple training formats including live workshops, self-paced DIY Academy courses, and hybrid options, all supported by an annual membership providing community access, career coaching, and resource hub. Additional offerings include the biennial Convening Conference (in-person and virtual Everywhere Access), CEU library for continuing education, the CAPPA Care professional directory, and an institutional partnership program for group training. The platform uses Kajabi for course delivery, Airtable for trainer management, and integrates with PayPal/Stripe for payment processing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CAPPA Care: A professional directory service connecting families with certified CAPPA birth professionals including labor doulas, postpartum doulas, childbirth educators, lactation educators, and infant family educators.

Products and services

• Certified Labor Doula (CLD) Flagship labor doula certification program preparing professionals to provide continuous physical and emotional support during labor and birth. The training covers 18 hours of coursework and requires documented experience, exams, and required readings for certification.
• Certified Postpartum Doula (CPD) Professional certification program training doulas to support new families during the postpartum period with newborn care, breastfeeding support, and household assistance. Includes 18 hours of training plus certification requirements.
• Certified Childbirth Educator (CCCE) Certification program preparing educators to teach expectant parents about pregnancy, birth, and early parenting through comprehensive childbirth education classes. Includes business and marketing training alongside clinical skills.
• Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) Certification program providing evidence-based lactation education and support, covering breastfeeding basics, common challenges, and when to refer families to additional lactation support specialists.
• Certified Infant & Family Educator (CIFE) Formerly CNPE (Certified New Parent Educator), this certification prepares professionals to guide families through infant development, care, and the transition to parenthood with education on infant care, development, and family adjustment.
• CAPPA Annual Membership Annual membership providing access to the CAPPA community, training enrollment, career coaching office hours, networking townhalls, resource hub with masterclasses, business growth tools, member directory listing, and discounts on conferences and materials. Priced at $75/year with $75 new member bonus for training.
• CAPPA Trainer Program Trainer certification pathway with multiple tiers (Apprentice, Core Trainer, Core Plus, Core Elite, Advisor) allowing certified professionals to teach CAPPA certification programs. Includes Trainer Hub access, resource library with presentations and manuals, and tiered payout structures (25-75% of training price).
• CAPPA Academy Online learning platform providing self-paced (DIY) certification pathways, member hub with courses, certification challenges, CEU library, and conference recordings. Supports traditional live training and self-paced certification completion.
• CAPPA Recertification Program Three-year recertification cycle requiring 15 CEUs, recertification course completion, policy agreements, and $125 fee. Includes options for expired certifications (reinstatement fees apply) and online CEU library at $40 per course.
• CAPPA Convening Conference 2026 In-person biennial conference held July 30-31, 2026 at Drexel University, Philadelphia. Two-day education, connection, and celebration event for birth professionals with workshops, CEUs, networking, and vendor tables. Features 125 seats with virtual 'Everywhere Access' option available.
• Everywhere Access Virtual Conference Virtual ticket option for the CAPPA Convening providing lifetime access to all recorded sessions, 15+ CEUs, and access to the recorded library opening August 1, 2026. Includes bonuses like Doula Business Startup Checklist and AI Possibility Finder.
• CAPPA Care Directory Professional directory allowing families to search for and connect with CAPPA-certified perinatal professionals by location and certification type. Members receive directory listings to be found by potential clients.
• CEU Library Continuing education unit library accessible through membership, offering courses at $40 each worth 1-2 CEUs. Includes CAPPA conference recordings, masterclass videos, and acceptance of CEUs from partner organizations including nursing boards.
• Institutional Partnership Program Customized group training programs for hospitals, universities, healthcare systems, and community organizations including customized schedules, dedicated cohorts, volume pricing, and specialized curriculum additions. Partners include universities, hospitals, and agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25+ years of trusted training and certification excellence
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Drexel UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2026Venue partner for CAPPA Convening 2026. Located in University City, Philadelphia. Modern facilities with easy transit access. 10-minute walk from 30th Street Station, 20 minutes from Philadelphia International Airport by train.
• Texas Woman's UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership offering all 5 CAPPA certifications plus business and community modules in a comprehensive maternal health program. Example of institutional training collaboration.
• March of DimesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelissa Patti from March of Dimes presenting on maternal and infant health care at CAPPA Convening 2026. Session covers latest national and Pennsylvania data on maternal and infant health outcomes.
• Family PawsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of CAPPA Convening 2026. Family-focused organization supporting perinatal families.
• Fairfax SurrogacyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of CAPPA Convening 2026. Surrogacy services organization.
• The Birth Boss SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of CAPPA Convening 2026. Organization founded by Jodi Congdon (CAPPA trainer) focused on building doula businesses through online membership communities.
• CoCo Life / Maternal Outcomes MatterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of CAPPA Convening 2026. Maternal health organization founded by Alexia Doumbouya (Doula & CEO) presenting at the convening on bridging gaps in perinatal care.
• Delighted to DoulaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of CAPPA Convening 2026. Organization of Prinscilla Moore, CAPPA President and CEO. Featured sponsor for maternal health services.
• Perinatal Resource CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Nicole Harlot, presenting at CAPPA Convening 2026 on collaboration in perinatal care. Organization focused on strengthening referrals and improving outcomes for families.
• Daddy UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization of Joel Austin (CPPD-CAPPA certified), presenting keynote on paternal inclusion and education at CAPPA Convening 2026. Focus on improving maternal health through paternal engagement.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Childbirth International: Childbirth International provides online certification for doulas, childbirth educators, and lactation counselors with a globally distributed student base. It competes directly with CAPPA's self-paced model and its international (30+ country) footprint.
• DONA International: DONA International is one of the most established doula certification organizations globally, offering birth and postpartum doula training and certification. It is the closest direct peer to CAPPA, competing for the same aspiring perinatal professionals and families seeking certified doulas.
• ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association): ICEA certifies childbirth educators, doulas, and lactation counselors and has been operating for decades. It competes with CAPPA across multiple certification pathways and serves a similar audience of aspiring perinatal professionals.
• Doula Trainings International: Doula Trainings International offers online certification for birth and postpartum doulas, with a strong virtual training model. It competes with CAPPA particularly in the DIY/self-paced certification pathway and the international student market.
• Lamaze International: Lamaze International is a long-standing childbirth educator certification body offering evidence-based training for educators and a directory of certified professionals. It directly competes with CAPPA's CCCE pathway and shares the evidence-based, international credentialing positioning.
• ProDoula: ProDoula is a doula training and certification organization focused on both birth and postpartum doulas with an emphasis on building a doula business. It competes with CAPPA on training pricing, structure, and the audience of aspiring professional doulas.
• Birth Boot Camp: Birth Boot Camp offers comprehensive childbirth educator and doula training programs with certification pathways. It is a direct competitor in the perinatal professional certification market with comparable training intensity and pricing models.

Emerging players

• International Doula Institute: International Doula Institute offers online doula and postpartum certifications with multiple specialty tracks. It is an emerging competitor focused on accessibility and online delivery, partially overlapping with CAPPA's Academy self-paced offerings.
• Healthy Children Project (Lactation Education): Healthy Children Project provides lactation counselor and educator training with strong hospital and healthcare system adoption. It is a partial competitor to CAPPA's CLE pathway, particularly where institutions seek clinical lactation credentials.
• Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice: ALPP offers Certified Lactation Counselor and other lactation credentials widely accepted by hospitals and WIC programs. It is a partial peer for CAPPA's CLE pathway where institutional/clinical recognition matters more than community/perinatal focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CAPPAcertification
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cappa-childbirth-and-postpartum-professional-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/cappacertified

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CAPPA Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association