What to Know About Childbirth International Course Costs and Payment Plans

Childbirth International (CBI) describes its course costs as all-inclusive: the price covers the training, and students are told they will never be asked to recertify or pay a membership fee afterward. You can pay in one payment or spread it across a five-month payment plan. If you are weighing the long-term cost of certification, that combination — one upfront price with no renewal or membership charges — is the main thing that separates CBI from programs that bill you again every few years.

What "all-inclusive" covers

According to CBI's own description of its training, course costs are all-inclusive and there is no separate recertification or membership charge. In practical terms, that means the number you see when you buy a course is meant to be the total you pay to train and stay certified — not a first installment before renewal fees start.

CBI also states that payment plans carry their own terms, published on a separate Payment Plan Terms page. Read that page before enrolling, because the terms govern what happens if you miss an installment or want to change your plan.

Payment options

Both options give access to the course, per CBI's description. The choice is about cash flow, not about what you receive.

Why the no-recertification policy matters for total cost

Many certification bodies charge a renewal or recertification fee every few years, plus membership dues. Over a career, those add up and are easy to overlook when comparing a program's sticker price. CBI explicitly says students are never asked to recertify or pay for membership, so the comparison point is the course price itself rather than price plus recurring fees.

If you are comparing CBI against another program, put the numbers side by side on the same basis:

• Initial course cost
• Any renewal or recertification fee, and how often it recurs
• Any required membership fee
• Whether study materials, assignment submissions, and trainer support are included or billed separately

CBI's stated position answers the first, second, and third points in its favor; the fourth is covered by its "all-inclusive" description.

What to check before you enroll

1. Open the Payments & Payment Plans page on childbirthinternational.com to see the current cost and plan details. Prices are not stated in the material summarized here, so confirm them at the source rather than relying on secondhand figures.
2. Read the Payment Plan Terms page if you intend to use the five-month plan. This is where the conditions that apply to your specific arrangement are set out.
3. Confirm which course you want first. CBI lists Birth Doula Training, Lactation Counselor Training, Childbirth Educator Training, Postpartum Doula Training, and Professional Development. Costs and plan eligibility may differ by course, so check the page for the course you actually intend to take.
4. Note the study format. CBI says you can study from anywhere, at your own pace, submit assignments in a variety of formats, and keep trainer support for as long as you need. If your plan depends on finishing within a fixed window, verify that against the course terms.

Common sticking points

• Assuming the plan is interest-free or fee-free. The existence of separate Payment Plan Terms means conditions apply. Check them rather than assuming.
• Budgeting only for the course. CBI says no recertification or membership fees, but other costs — such as books or materials you choose to buy beyond what's included — are not addressed in the material here.
• Comparing sticker prices across programs. A cheaper course with recurring renewal fees can cost more over ten years than a higher-priced course with none. Compare total cost of ownership, not just the entry price.

CBI reports 11,000+ students, learners in 142 countries, and 27 years of online training experience, which is relevant if continuity and track record factor into your decision. The concrete decision points, though, are the current course price, the payment plan terms, and whether the no-recertification, no-membership model fits how you expect to use the certification.