Education in Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an aid to living the truth and beauty of God's plan for married love and the gift of life in marriage.

All of the national NFP education programs listed below provide training in the evidence-based methods of NFP. The specific method of each provider is identified and basic service information is included in the descriptions.

Please note that individual NFP providers may have and/or offer one or more of the following:

  • Award of Approval from the NFP Program, USCCB

    Some of the NFP providers listed on this page have formally implemented the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry. This award is noted near a provider's name.

  • Teacher education -- "On Site" and  "Remote"

    On-site teacher training is offered in one of two ways: through a provider's scheduled teacher training sessions which are typically offered in different cities of the nation (please check the provider's website for a listing); or by special arrangement in a diocese.

    Remote teacher education can be self-paced or conducted via live webinars.

    Teacher education fees vary. One NFP provider offer free teacher education (see Couple to Couple League below).

  • Client education -- "In Person" and "Remote"

    In person client education can be obtained via an NFP provider. Each NFP provider maintains a list of their teachers. Visit an NFP provider's website to find a teacher near you. Or, check the Directory of Diocesan Marriage and Family Life Directors and NFP Coordinators for teachers in your diocese. Please note that not every diocese will have a variety of NFP methods represented by their teachers.

    Remote client education can happen in one of two ways: self-paced or live.
    Self-paced client education via the Internet often includes e-learn platforms, videos, and access to certified teachers for live instruction.

    Live remote NFP education is provided by individual NFP teachers via a variety of Internet platforms. Visit the individual NFP provider's website to find a teacher.

  • Ethical Woman's Reproductive Healthcare

    Some NFP providers include medical education and/or training in their services. They may offer programs for healthcare professionals where NFP science and method information is covered and also specific and ethical protocols and surgeries are taught for the treatment of various reproductive issues. 

  • Fertility Integration and Appreciation

    In addition to the details of a particular NFP method, all NFP providers teach anatomy and physiology of human reproduction. They emphasize the integration and appreciation of the couple's fertility in their married lives.

  • Catholic Teaching and NFP

    Most NFP providers integrate the principles of Catholic teaching in their programs for both teachers and clients.

    Some NFP providers are secular in nature but continue to base their education on the Natural Law which is compatible with Catholic teaching.

    All authentic NFP providers teach the use of periodic sexual abstinence as the NFP means to postpone or avoid pregnancy. Catholic teaching requires husband and wife to carefully discern God's will regarding welcoming new life in their marriages.

  • Code of Ethics

    Many NFP providers ensure that their teachers and medical professionals follow a code of ethics that align with Catholic teaching.

    Where this is not clear, the NFP provider is listed in the second half of this page under "Other NFP Providers." Notes are included under each provider for your convenience.

As we learn more about individual NFP providers, we will update this page.

 

To learn more, please contact the USCCB's NFP Program (@email) or the individual NFP provider.
 

Please note, the USCCB's NFP Program does not maintain
a list of individual NFP teachers.
Contact individual providers for their teacher lists.
 

Quick Reference Guide for NFP Methods

Billings Ovulation Method Association - USA (BOMA-USA)

***Meets the USCCB's  Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry***

Email: @email / Website: www.boma-usa.org

BOMA-USA is the only authorized representative of The Billings Ovulation Method® in the United States. This method is based on the observation of cervical mucus. It was developed by the Drs. John and Evelyn Billings of Melbourne, Australia.

BOMA-USA . . .

  • Meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry.
     
  • Offers education in the Billings Ovulation Method.
     
  • Maintains a list of its certified teachers.
     
  • Provides education in English and Spanish.
     
  • Provides client education in group or private on-site classes; client education can be offered live or remotely by individual teachers.
     
  • Offers clients Online charting software.
     
  • Provides on-site or Remote Teacher Training.
     
  • Upon special request, additional education programs can be scheduled for health-care professionals, clergy, and the general public.
     
  • BOMA-USA is affiliated with WOOMB International. Multi-language client education can be obtained through WOOMB-International. Contact WOOMB-International.
     

Boston Cross Check (BCC)

***Meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry***

Email: Individual teachers are listed on the main page of the website  /  Website: www.bostoncrosscheck.com    

BCC is a Sympto-Hormonal method. It provides education about the biomarkers of fertility and the integration of a fertility monitor with method guidelines. BCC developed from the Sympto-Thermal method of the New England NFP Association which was eventually transferred to the Archdiocese of Boston and then given to BCC leaders. As the research about the use of fertility monitors with the biomarkers of fertility developed, BCC leaders integrated that information into their program.

BCC seeks to meet the contemporary client's needs by offering a 100% virtual experience of NFP education for teacher candidates and students. All the BCC teachers work remotely with their students. Please visit their website to learn about their services.

BCC . . .

  • Meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry.
     
  • Offers education in the Boston Cross Check Method (Sympto-Hormonal).
     
  • Maintains a list of their certified teachers.
     
  • Provides remote client education via the Internet.
     
  • Provides remote teacher education via the Internet.
     

Couple to Couple League International (CCLI or "CCL")

***Meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry***

5440 Moeller Ave.  
   Suite 149
Cincinnati, Ohio 45212
1-800-745-8252
(513) 471-2000
(800) 214-6028 Español
Email: @email  /  Website: https://www.ccli.org

CCL is a provider of the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM). STM is a multi-indexed method of NFP. It teaches the detection and interpretation of cervical mucus, changes in the basal body temperature (BBT), and in some systems, cervical changes and other secondary signs of fertility.

CCL . . .

  • Meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry.
     
  • Offers client and teacher education in the Sympto-Thermal Method.
     
  • Provides free teacher education to volunteers in live on-site classes or virtually through the Internet.
     
  • Maintains a list of its certified teachers at https://ccli.powerappsportals.com/en-US/findteacher/.
     
  • Provides both client and teacher education in either English or Spanish.
     
  • Provides a client online class search at https://register.ccli.org.
     
  • Offers client education in their local areas or remotely.

    Remote client education (English and Spanish) is provided in two formats:
    Live on-line classes

    Self-Paced Online Class (this is a video-based version of the live class with support available through phone and e-mail).
     
  • Offers clients menstrual cycle e-charting with CycleProGo.
     
  • Offers clients a fertility app from PeakDay.com.
     
  • Provides Catholic parish resources (see MyParishNFP.org).
     
  • CCL provides a variety of educational seminars for health-care professionals, clergy, and the general public through the website FertilityScienceInstitute.org including a directory of NFP educators and medical professionals of all methods.
     
  • CCL publishes many resources including the only NFP magazine in the USA, Family Foundations.

 

Creighton Model FertilityCareTM-- St. Pope Paul VI Institute

With regard to the Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry:
The Creighton Model has individual teacher training programs that are independent of each other but bound by the standards of the American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals. Two of these centers have met the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry. This means that the Creighton Model (CrM) meets the Standards in general but technically, the remaining individual Creighton Model teacher training centers have not been reviewed.

The founding center of CrM education is the Saint Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha, Nebraska. It's contact information is listed below with additional important information regarding the CrM.

St. Pope Paul VI Institute
6901 Mercy Road
Omaha, NE 68106
(402) 390-9168
(402) 390-9851 FAX
Email: @email
Website: www.popepaulvi.com

The CrM is offered through a network of educational bodies governed by the American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals. The FertilityCare Centers of America is a non-profit cooperation that offers both CrM education and NaProTECHNOLOGY an ethical women's healthcare, through its individual centers.

The St. Pope Paul VI Institute (SPPVII) and its related organizations . . . 

  • Provide education in the Creighton Model FertilityCareTM Method (CrM), a cervical mucus method of NFP.
     
  • Provide NaProTECHNOLOGY, an ethical women's reproductive healthcare through trained physicians.
     
  • Offer teacher education in both English and Spanish.
     
  • Provide client education in Spanish by those teachers with the expertise.
    Please note that individual CrM teachers will provide remote education via the Internet.
     
  • Provide teacher education on-site in one of the accredited CrM education centers.
    Please contact the St. Pope Paul VI Institute for further information.
     
  • Have available a CrM teacher directory at FertilityCare Centers of America.
     
  • Award CrM teacher certification through the American Academy of FertilityCareTM Professionals (AAFCP).
     
  • Accredit CrM education programs through the AAFCP.
     
  • Provide education to healthcare professionals in NaProTechnology, an ethical approach to women's health care.
     
  • Have available a directory of Creighton Model FertilityCare and NaPro Medical Consultants.
     
  • Offer a variety of educational programs for health care professionals, clergy, and laity.

     

Family of the Americas Foundation (FAF)

***Meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry***

Note:
As of 2020, the Family of the Americas headquarters has moved from the USA to Guatemala. Orders for materials can be made on their website.

Email: @email / Website: https://www.familyplanning.net

Family of the Americas . . .

  • Meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry.
     
  • Provides a cervical mucus method of NFP based on the research of the Drs. Billings.
     
  • Maintains a list of its certified teachers.
     
  • Offers client education in English and Spanish.
     
  • Provides client education in on-site classes and remotely via a self-paced program.

    NB: Individual FAM teachers offer remote education.
     
  • Sells client educational resources in several languages.
     
  • Provides teacher education in on-site programs and through distance education.FAF staff will work with diocesan NFP staff to offer on-site educational events.
     

Gift of Your Fertility

***As a Marquette Method provider, this program meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry***

This program offers clients live remote education in the Marquette Method (MM).

This NFP provider also offers a course in MM and breastfeeding. 
 

Marquette University College of Nursing Institute for NFP (MUCN-INFP)

***Meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry***

P.O. Box 1881
Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881
(414) 288-3854
(414) 288-1587 FAX
Email: muinstnfp@marquette.edu
Institute Website: https://www.marquette.edu/nursing/natural-family-planning/index.shtml
Client Classes: www.marquettemethod.com.

MUCN-INFP provides education in the Sympto-Hormonal Method (SHM) also called the "Marquette Method" (MM) This approach integrates the basic information of cervical mucus with the added feature of an electronic hormonal monitoring device.

MUCHN-NFP . . .

  • Meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry.
     
  • Provides education to teacher trainees in the Sympto-Hormonal method of NFP.
     
  • Conducts research. Questions regarding the state of NFP scientific research are welcomed.
     
  • Provides on-line teacher education for healthcare professionals only (e.g., nurses, physicians, etc.).
     
  • Awards students a certificate of completion.
     
  • Works with the Marquette Method Professionals Association which certifies its teachers.
     
  • Provides client education through individual teachers (see the MM Teacher Directory).
    NB: All MM teachers are able to work remotely with clients via the Internet.
     
  • Offers client education in English and Spanish per the individual teacher's expertise.
     

NFP Coach

***As a Marquette Method provider, this program meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry***

www.nfpcoach.com

The Marquette Method (MM) is provided to clients by a nurse, the director of NFP Coach.

Client education is offered via on-demand videos and private virtual consultation.
 

NFP International (NFPI)

Website: http:/www.nfpandmore.org

NFPI provides client and teacher education in the Cross-Check method of NFP (more commonly called the Sympto-Thermal Method), NFPI was founded by NFP pioneers John and Sheila Kippley. The Kippleys co-founded the Couple to Couple League. 

NFP International . . .

  • Offers education in the Sympto-Thermal method of NFP.
     
  • Provides remote teacher education via the Internet
     
  • Provides remote client education via the Internet.
     
  • Offers education in "Ecological Breastfeeding."
     

Northwest Family Services (NWFS) - SymptoPro Fertility Education

***Meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry***

6200 SE King Road
Portland, OR 97222
(503) 546-6377
(503) 546-9397 FAX
Email: @email
Website: https://www.SymptoPro.org

SymptoPro provides education in a Sympto-Thermal method of NFP that teaches the detection and interpretation of cervical mucus, basal-body temperature (BBT), and changes in the cervix. It also teaches how to interpret secondary signs of fertility.

NWFS SymptoPro . . .

  • Meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry.
     
  • Provides education in SymptoPro, a Sympto-Thermal method of NFP.
     
  • Maintains a list of certified teachers.
     
  • Offers client and teacher education in English and Spanish.
     
  • Provides only remote teacher education via the Internet
     
  • Offers client education in on-site class programs and through remote education via a client Internet course and also a combination of correspondence and on-line education for clients who request both.
     
  • Offers a method charting app.
    SymptoPro partnered with Read Your Body for a charting app for its clients and teachers. They have a template that SymptoPro clients can apply to the app so that they can easily chart the SymptoPro method.
     
  • Has available a variety of educational programs including chastity education and family supporting resources.
     

Pearl & Thistle

***As a Boston Cross Check provider, this program meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry***

Pearl & Thistle . . .

  • Meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry.
     
  • Provides remote client education in the Boston Cross Check method, a Sympto-Hormonal method of NFP.
     
  • Brings faith and science together in its many resources.
    Some resources are parent-child based and focus on fertility literacy that is connected to how God created men and women. Other resources are for single women and Catholic leaders (clergy and laity).
     
  • Partners with My Catholic Doctor to provide Cycle Prep, a menstrual cycle education program for mothers to use with their daughters.

The Partnership Method (TPM)

This is the second-generation adaptation of the Sympto-Thermal program of the Diocese of Harrisburg, PA (principal author, the late Stella Kitchen--an indomitable and joyfilled diocesan NFP leader). The program is based primarily on the work of Dr. Josef Rötzer (Austria), the leading pioneer of the Sympto-Thermal Method.

The Partnership Method . . .

  • Provides education in the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM).
     
  • Offers three 2-hour classes spaced a month apart.
     
  • Integrates the principles of Catholic teaching in the curriculum.
     
  • Education includes content on: the moral, spiritual, relational, and health benefits of the STM; how to manage special circumstances such as irregular cycles, postpartum, and peri-menopause; healthy conditions for achieving pregnancy; signs of possible infertility; and the integration of NFP into the marital relationship.

Note: TPM is a service of the Stella Maris Center (ilovestellamaris.org), a nonprofit ministry headquartered in League City, TX dedicated to broad support of marriage and family life based on Catholic principles. Classes are held either in-person or virtually.

 
 

Vitae Fertility Education

***As Marquette Method providers, this program meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry***

Vitae Fertility Education . . . 

  • Provides education in the Marquette Method (MM), a Sympto-Hormonal method of NFP.
     
  • Offers remote and customized client education.
     
  • All teachers are healthcare professionals.
     
  • Has available additional resources, including those for the Catholic parish. See their Catholic parish page.
     

Whole Mission

***As Marquette Method providers, the teachers of this organization have been trained by an NFP provider that meets the USCCB's Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry***

The Whole Mission is an NFP education website developed by Marquette Method teachers. All teachers are healthcare professionals and reside in different states. They provide both group and individual instruction in the Marquette Method (a Sympto-Hormonal method).

Whole Mission . . .

  • Is a clearing house for Marquette Method teachers.
     
  • All teachers are healthcare professionals and offer:

    Education in the Marquette Method (MM), a Sympto-Hormonal method of NFP.

    In-person client education when clients are local to the teacher.

    Remote client education conducted through a secure video meeting platform.
 

Additional NFP Providers

The NFP Providers listed below offer either NFP teacher and client education or just client education and in some cases, other services. Their programs are solidly based in scientific NFP research. And, their programs'  mission and philosophy are compatible with Catholic beliefs. They do not promote contraception.

  • Fertility Education & Medical Management (FEMM)
    FEMM is a Sympto-Hormonal method that teaches the identification of cervical mucus, the use of FH strips for hormonal testing, and makes use of an App for charting. This system also integrates current research on a woman's reproductive hormones and has a companion medical system that supports the method.

    Note: FEMM does not require its teachers or medical practitioners to be "NFP-only." It is important to discuss this concern with individual FEMM providers who may be "NFP-only."
     
  • Listen Fertility
    This Sympto-Hormonal method was developed by medical professionals and educators at the Reply Ob/Gyn & Fertility clinic in North Carolina (associated with the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina, USA).

    Note: Presently, the NFP Program of the USCCB does not have information about whether Listen Fertility will develop a Catholic version of their education programs which integrate Church teaching in the teacher and client curricula. In addition, it is also not clear if Listen Fertility requires its teachers or medical practitioners to be "NFP-only." That said, the program was developed by Catholics who want to provide authentic NFP It is important to discuss these concern with individual Listen Fertility providers.

  • Sensiplan
    This well-researched highly effective Sympto-Thermal Method of NFP was developed by scientists and medical professionals in Germany (Universities of Düsseldorf and Heidelberg). It is the only European NFP method that is offered in the United States by the staff at the Reply Clinic (North Carolina).

    Note: presently, clarification is needed regarding the integration of Church teaching in the teacher and client curricula. In addition, it is not clear that Sensiplan requires its teachers or medical practitioners to be "NFP-only." It is important to discuss these concerns with individual Sensiplan providers. That said, the founders of the Reply Clinic are faithful Catholics who wanted to bring this German STM method to the United States.

  • WOOMB International
    This is the official headquarters of the Billings Method Associaiton located in Australia. WOOMB offers bothclient and teacher training in the cervical mucus method that was standardized by the Drs. John and Evelyn Billings. It's curricula fully supports Catholic teaching.

Contact Us

Questions? Write to @email.

NFP Program, Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3240 | © USCCB. All rights reserved.