Looking to share your passion about NFP and eager to dive deeper? Why not take it a step further and become a certified natural family planning instructor? As more women and couples desire to use NFP, there is a growing need for more instructors to teach each of the four methods taught in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. We’re also on the lookout for instructors who can teach in Spanish.
Don’t worry if you aren’t an expert yet — these training programs are designed to equip you so you can share the knowledge with others! Certification processes, time commitments, and costs vary between methods.
Scholarships may be available to help you on your natural family planning instructor journey! Reach out to us at stlnfp@archstl.org to learn more! Our Office is here to support you.
Billings Ovulation Method® (Billings)
Method Overview
The Billings Ovulation Method tracks ovulation by utilizing a woman’s unique sensations and cervical mucus patterns to reliably identify the fertile window. With this method, the woman has the opportunity to use her own words to describe her experience of mucus without internal investigation or external touching of mucus. Ideally, the teacher and client meet every 2 weeks until competence and confidence is achieved.
Instructor Qualifications
Charting with Billings locally for at least 6 months prior to teacher training (3 months if switching from a different NFP method).
Training Process Overview
Teacher trainings are held remotely with the option of working through the curriculum with their assigned trainer at an individual pace or within a schedule of unit deadlines and meeting with other trainees at scheduled Zoom meetings. Trainees must pass a test on the basic content covered to begin their Supervised Practicum in which they must teach a minimum of 3 clients. This is followed by a final evaluation. Billings Ovulation Method® Teacher Certification is valid for 3 years.
Cost
$750 per person, plus materials used during the training
Couple to Couple League (CCL)
Method Overview
Couple to Couple League is a sympto-thermal method based on the woman observing 3 key signs of fertility: cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and changes in the cervix to detect ovulation. Instruction for determining fertile windows is taught by a couple (instructors) to a couple (learners). Follow ups are conducted as needed.
Instructor Qualifications
Have previously taken CCL’s Main NFP series and have been charting using CCL’s Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) for at least 6 months. Candidate teachers must be current CCL Patrons. Candidates must agree to teach as a married couple, to teach online, to work with self-paced students, and commit to teaching at least two course series per year.
Training Process Overview
CCL offers a hybrid training model, meeting online twice a month for live method training and self-paced homework modules for the off weeks. There is a required teacher orientation to complete before attending the live sessions. Training can be completed in 4-6 months. After training classes, candidate teaching couples begin their practicum under the guidance of a mentor couple.
Cost
Cost of training ($2000 value) and continuing education/recertification ($250 value) are covered by CCL. However, CCL requests donations to cover training expenses and asks each Teaching Couple applicant to be a current CCL patron member.
CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare™ System (CrMS or Creighton)
Method Overview
Creighton Model identifies ovulation based on standardized classifications of external mucus observations to identify the fertile window. The FertilityCare Practitioner works closely with the client for at least 8 private follow ups in the first year, following the introductory session. This method is foundational with the use of NaPro Technology—a women’s health science that works cooperatively with the natural cycle.
Instructor Qualifications
Prospective practitioners must not prescribe or refer for contraceptives, not perform or refer for sterilization or abortion, use NFP, and philosophically accept natural methods. Applicants must have one of the following: registered nurse (with current license), BA or BS degree, or associate degree/diploma such as Licensed Practical Nurse, Human Services Practitioner, or the equivalent of two years of college study.
Training Process Overview
The program is a combination of remote and on-site training (St. Louis education programs are available every other year), spanning 13 months and is presented in two education phases (EPI and EPII) and two supervised practica (SPI and SPII). Students also complete an on-site visit with their supervisor and take a final certificate examination.
Cost
$25 Application Fee, $3,100 Tuition, $550 Books & Materials, plus additional fees
** Mercy St. Louis Program is currently accepting applications for the October 2024 class**
To apply or for questions, contact the Mercy Program Director, Elizabeth Kauffeld, RN-BSN, CFCE at 314.991.0327 or elizabeth.kauffeld@mercy.net.
Marquette Method (MM or Marquette)
Method Overview
Marquette is based on monitor readings from an electronic fertility monitor (ClearBlue Fertility) that measures at home hormone levels in the urine, plus a customizable option for pairing cervical mucus observations and/or basal body temperature to determine the times of fertility. Following the introductory session, clients meet one-on-one with a trained instructor to discuss their unique needs at least 4 times within the first year and additional follow ups as needed.
Instructor Qualifications
Must be a healthcare professional such as BSN, APRN, PA, physician, or other licensed healthcare professional.
Training Process Overview
Online training courses are offered throughout the year. The program is made up of three main components:
- Foundations and Principles Course—online coursework, about 3 months
- Practical Applications Course—online coursework and live meetings with cohort, about 2 months
- Preceptor Experience—occurs concurrently with the Practical Applications. Involves teaching 10 couples/clients under supervision of a preceptor, about 8 months
Cost
$75 application fee and $1,750 tuition. Student and military discounts available.
Interested in using NFP or switching methods? To view the current schedule and register for an introductory session in the St. Louis area for any of the four methods, please visit this post.