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Why AMCB Certification?


The chart below describes the different types of certified midwives in regards to educational requirements and licensure within the US. Please note, this comparison chart does not address individuals who are not certified and who may practice midwifery with or without legal recognition.

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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: Currentlyhalf 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 Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Authorized to practice in Missouri but not licensed.
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

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Highlights

1. The American Midwifery Certification Board is the gold standard in midwifery and nurse-midwifery certification. Other certifying bodies do not ensure the same level of experience and educational standards and requirements. 

2. While state licensure provides the legal basis for practice, most states require AMCB certification for licensure, and many institutions require AMCB certification to grant practice privileges.

3. The titles CNM and CM are registered through the Federal Office of Patents and Trademarks and can only be used by midwives certified through the AMCB. Suspected misuse of trademark should be reported to cbright@amcbmidwife.org. For more information, please see the below document:



4. AMCB CNM certification is accepted in all 50 states in the U.S., in addition to the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. AMCB CMs are licensed in Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Authorized by permit to practice in Delaware. Authorized to practice in Missouri.

5. Midwives practicing in unregulated states have no legal, regulatory protection unless certified by the AMCB. 

6. The AMCB provides you with the tools you need to maintain your certification through its comprehensive Certificate Maintenance Program.

7. Your certification by the AMCB assures your patients that you have met accepted national standards in midwifery care, and that you are committed to ongoing learning in your field.

8. The AMCB provides you with other valuable opportunities to become involved in midwifery certification through voluntary participation in a variety of committees: Certificate Maintenance Program (CMP) Committee; Credentials, Administration & Reporting (CAR) Committee; Examination Committee; Finance Committee; and Research Committee. You may also apply to become a member of the Board of Directors and play a role in the future of midwifery certification.

9. The AMCB offers computer-based testing for the certification examination in collaboration with Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. There are more than 120 testing sites nationally—at least one in each state plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. In addition, you receive immediate, official results at the testing site.

Seeking AMCB Certification?

Step-by-step introduction 
through the application process.



If you have any questions about AMCB Certification, please contact:

Morgan Saul
Certification Coordinator 
Phone: 410-694-9424 ext. 7017