Certification

Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM^®)

Certified Midwife (CM^®)

Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) ^®

Certifying Organization

American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)

North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)

Certification Requirements (minimum degree and other requirements prior to taking national certifying exam)

Graduate Degree Required

High School Diploma or Equivalent

1. Graduation from a nurse-midwifery education program accredited by ACNM Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME);

AND

2. Verification by program director of completion of education program;

AND

3. Active registered nurse (RN) license

1. Graduation from a midwifery education program accredited by ACNM Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME);

AND

2. Verification by program director of completion of education program

1. Completion of NARM’s Portfolio Evaluation Process (PEP) pathway;

OR

2. Graduate of a midwifery education program accredited by Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC);

OR

3. AMCB-certified CNM or CM;

OR

4. Completion of state licensure program

Recertification Requirement

Every five years

Every three years

Education

Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM^®)

Certified Midwife (CM^®)

Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) ^®

Minimum Education Requirements for Admission to Midwifery Education Program

Graduate degree from accredited college/university

1. Some programs require RN license. If the applicant has a graduate degree, but not an RN license, some programs will require attainment of an RN license prior to entry into the midwifery program; others will allow the student to attain an RN license prior to graduate study;

OR

2. If the applicant is an RN but does not have a graduate degree, some programs provide a bridge program to a graduate degree prior to the midwifery portion of the program; other programs require a graduate degree before entry into the midwifery program.

Graduate degree from accredited college/university and successful completion of specific science courses

There are two primary pathways for CPM education, with differing admission requirements:

1. Portfolio Evaluation Process (PEP) pathway: an apprenticeship program; no degree or diploma required. Student must find a midwife preceptor who is nationally certified or state licensed, has practiced for at least 3 years, and attended at least 50 out-of-hospital births;

OR

2. Accredited formal education pathway: for this pathway, a high school diploma from an accredited state or private school is required for admission.

Note: Currently, the majority of AMCB- certified midwives enter midwifery through nursing

Note: Currently, half of CPMs have completed the Portfolio Evaluation Process(PEP) pathway to the CPM credential.

Clinical Experience Requirement

Attainment of clinical skills must meet Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Education (ACNM 2008).

Clinical education must occur under the supervision of an AMCB-certified CNM/CM or Advanced Practice RN (APRN) who holds a graduate degree and has clinical expertise and didactic knowledge commensurate with content taught.

Clinical skills include management of primary care for women throughout the lifespan, including reproductive health care, pregnancy, and birth; care of the normal newborn; and management of sexually transmitted infections in male partners.

Attainment of clinical skills must meet the Core Competencies developed by the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA).

Clinical education must occur under the supervision of a midwife who must be nationally certified, legally recognized, and who has practiced for at least 3 years, and attended at least 50 out-of-hospital births.

Clinical skills include management of prenatal, birth and postpartum care for women and newborns.

Degree Granted

Master’s or doctoral degree; a master’s degree is the minimum requirement for the AMCB certification exam.

Master’s degree; a master’s degree is the minimum requirement for the AMCB certification exam.

No degree is granted through the PEP pathway.

MEAC-accredited programs vary and my grant a certificate of an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. Most graduates attain a certificate or associate degree; there is no minimum degree requirement for the CPM certification exam.

Licensure

Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM^®)

Certified Midwife (CM^®)

Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) ^®

Legal Status

Licensed in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and US territories.

Licensed in Delaware, Maine, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. Authorized by permit to practice in Delaware. Authorized to practice in Missouri.

Licenced or otherwise regulated in 31 states (4 states regulate by registration, certificate, or voluntary licensure).

Licensure Agency

Boards of Nursing, Boards of Medicine, Boards of Midwifery/Nurse-Midwifery, or Departments of Health

Boards of Midwifery, Boards of Medicine, Complementary Health Care Providers, or Department of Health

Boards of Midwifery, Boards of Medicine, Boards of Nursing, Complementary Health Care Providers, Departments of Health, or Departments of Professional Licensure