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National Association of Certified Professional Midwives
North American Registry of Midwives
MANA State-by-State Chart - Direct-Entry Midwives' Legal Status
Canadian Association of Midwives
American College of Nurse Midwives
Types of North American Midwives
The two main kinds of North American Midwives are direct-entry midwives and nurse midwives. The Midwifery Program at Bastyr University educates direct-entry midwives.
Direct-Entry Midwives begin their education in midwifery directly, after meeting program prerequisites, rather than after completing a nursing program. Occasionally, nurses choose a direct-entry midwifery school because they want their education to focus primarily on independent midwifery practice in homes or birth centers—skills not generally taught in nursing school. Direct-entry midwives are generally self-employed and most often practice in home and freestanding birth center practices. State laws vary regarding direct-entry midwives. There are several options for direct-entry midwives to become credentialed:
Licensed Midwives (LM) have obtained licensure in the state in which they are practicing. Many states, including Washington and California, offer a license to direct entry midwives who meet the requirements of the state law and pass the licensing examination. Graduates from the Midwifery Program at Bastyr University are eligible for licensure in nearly every state that offers a license.
Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) are nationally certified through the North American Registry of Midwives. This certification is available to those midwives who meet the registry’s experience requirements, complete an application process, and successfully pass a written and clinical examination. The legal status of CPMs varies from state to state. Graduates from the Midwifery Program at Bastyr University and other programs accredited by the Midwifery Education Acceditation Council (MEAC) are eligible to become CPMs through a streamlined process. The CPM credential is not recognized by all states as a basis for licensure and, on its own, does not provide any legal authority for practice.
Registered Midwives (RM) have obtained registration from a Canadian province, including Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Alberta. The registration is available to midwives who successfully complete province requirements and examinations. Educational requirements, scope of practice, compensation, and employment opportunities vary by province. Prospective Canadian applicants will find province-by-province information on the Canadian Association of Midwives’ website. To date, graduates from the Midwifery Program at the former Seattle Midwifery School have been registered in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) attend both nursing and nurse-midwifery schools and are certified according to the requirements of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). CNMs are recognized in all states, though the minimum qualifications and scope of practice vary by state. Most CNMs practice in hospitals, though a small percentage practice in freestanding birth centers and home settings. Bastyr University graduates desiring to be CNMs would be required to complete additional training at an ACNM- accredited program.