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Verify a Midwife

Check on the certification status of a Certified Nurse-Midwife or Certified Midwife


Consumer Information


What is a Midwife?

International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) International Definition of the Midwife: 

A midwife is a person who has successfully completed a midwifery education programme that is recognised in the country where it is located and that is based on the ICM Essential Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice and the framework of the ICM Global Standards for Midwifery Education; who has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery and use the title ‘midwife’; and who demonstrates competency in the practice of midwifery.

See the ICM Definition of the Midwife here.



AMCB Certification Statuses and Meaning
  • Active: Currently certified as a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) or Certified Midwife (CM). The title “CNM” or “CM” is used to represent midwives who are maintaining their certification by meeting continuing maintenance program requirements.

  • Retired: AMCB certified midwife who has permanently retired from practice in good standing. ‘Practice’ is defined as any roles that require CNM/CM certification for the position. With a retired certification, the title “CNM (ret.)” or “CM (ret.)” may be used.

  • Deceased: CNM/CM who has passed away.

  • Deactivated: AMCB certified midwife who has had their certification deactivated for an administrative reason, usually to switch certification from CM to CNM or from CNM to CM. 
  • Grace Period: CNM/CM who has been given a temporary extension by AMCB to complete their CMP requirements. If requirements are met by a set date, the midwife is moved back to an Active status, if requirements are not met by the set date, the midwife is moved to a Lapsed status.

  • Lapsed: AMCB certified midwife that did not meet the requirements for recertification. With a Lapsed certification, the title “CNM” or “CM” can no longer be used.

  • Suspended: CNM/CM whose certification has been temporarily suspended by AMCB, usually due to a pending discipline case. 

  • Surrendered: CNM/CM who has given up their certification, usually due to a discipline case.

  • Revoked: AMCB certified midwife who has had their CNM/CM certification taken away by AMCB, usually due to a discipline ruling. With a Revoked certification, the title “CNM” or “CM” may no longer be used.


Professional Discipline

A midwife can be disciplined for many reasons including, but not limited to fraud and deceit in application or reapplication to obtain certification, irregularity regarding an exam prior, during or after completion, misrepresentation of certification status, habitual use of alcohol or substance abuse, gross negligence, sanction by any state or private licensing board, agency, association or health care organization relating to public health and safety or midwifery practice, conviction of a crime directly relating to midwifery practice and/or public health and safety, and engaging in conduct which is inconsistent with professional standards.

To learn more about our disciplinary process, please visit our Discipline page found here.



Other Consumer Information: