Logan Reid
In the United States, there are three types of nationally credentialed midwives: Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), Certified Midwives (CMs), and Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs). CNMs and CMs primarily attend births in hospitals, while CPMs specialize in out-of-hospital births. Midwives are trained in pregnancy, childbirth, and other female reproductive care, and they can provide emotional and informational support during the birthing process. They often work in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare providers to ensure safe and comprehensive care for their patients. While midwives can assist in C-sections, they cannot perform them independently and may have varying levels of authority to prescribe medication or order lab tests depending on the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Midwife Credentials | Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), Certified Midwives (CMs), Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) |
| Educational Requirements | CNMs: Nursing school and graduate degree in midwifery; CMs: Master's degree in midwifery; CPMs: MEAC-accredited programs or Portfolio Evaluation Process (PEP) |
| Certification | CNMs and CMs: American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB); CPMs: North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) |
| Licensing | CNMs: Licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia; CMs: Licensed in 13 states and the District of Columbia; CPMs: Nationally recognized |
| Practice Settings | CNMs: Hospitals, clinics, birth centers, homes; CMs: Hospitals, clinics, birth centers; CPMs: Out-of-hospital births, homes, birthing centers |
| Services Offered | CNMs: Pregnancy care, delivery, general reproductive care, prescribe medication, order lab tests, diagnose conditions; CMs: Similar scope of practice as CNMs; CPMs: Low-risk maternity care, community-based options |
| Collaboration with Physicians | Midwives often work with obstetricians, gynecologists, and other specialists to ensure comprehensive care |
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What You'll Learn
- Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are qualified to work in hospitals
- CNMs have completed nursing school and have a graduate degree in midwifery
- CNMs work alongside obstetricians and gynecologists (Ob/Gyns)
- Certified Midwives (CMs) are trained for hospital practice
- CMs and CNMs have identical scopes of practice
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are qualified to work in hospitals
CNMs have completed nursing school and hold a graduate degree in midwifery, which may be a Master's or Doctoral degree. They are licensed and independent healthcare providers, certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). They work in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
CNMs provide maternity care, including prenatal support, labour and delivery, and postpartum care. They also offer a range of services beyond childbirth, such as family planning, management of menopause and menstrual disorders, diagnosis and treatment of infertility, gynecological exams, breastfeeding education and support, and cancer screenings. They can prescribe medication and order lab tests.
CNMs often work alongside obstetricians and gynecologists (Ob/Gyns) in hospitals to ensure women have access to any care they may need. Working with a CNM in a hospital setting can be beneficial for women who are worried about delivery, as it provides a safety net should any complications arise.
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CNMs have completed nursing school and have a graduate degree in midwifery
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who have completed nursing school and a graduate degree in midwifery. CNMs are required to have a minimum of a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, but they can also obtain a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Doctor of Midwifery (DM) degree. CNMs are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) and are licensed to practice in all 50 states in the US.
To become a CNM, one must first become a registered nurse by completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN examination. After obtaining their RN license, individuals can apply to nurse-midwifery programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). These programs provide graduate-level training and include coursework in antepartum care, advanced primary care, intrapartum and postpartum care, and newborn care, along with clinical rotations in professional settings.
CNMs have a wide range of responsibilities and duties in women's health. They can provide pregnancy care, delivery, and general reproductive care. They are qualified to prescribe medications, order lab tests, and diagnose conditions. CNMs often work alongside obstetricians and gynecologists (Ob/Gyns) in hospitals, birth centers, or homes, offering a combination of personalised support and medical safety nets.
CNMs are distinct from Certified Midwives (CMs), who have a master's or graduate degree in midwifery but have not completed nursing school. CMs follow the same educational path and certification exam as CNMs but do not hold a nursing degree. Both CNMs and CMs meet the same core competencies and have identical scopes of practice, including prescriptive privileges. However, the legal recognition of CMs varies by state.
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CNMs work alongside obstetricians and gynecologists (Ob/Gyns)
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are nurse practitioners with specialised education, training and certification. CNMs often work alongside obstetricians and gynecologists (Ob/Gyns) in hospitals, clinics, birth centres, and homes. CNMs can care for low-risk pregnancies, deliver babies, and provide postpartum care. They can also assist surgeons in supporting their patients' care.
CNMs and Ob/Gyns are independent clinicians who are experts in their respective fields of practice. They work collaboratively to optimise care for their patients. Ob/Gyns are doctors who care for pregnant people and specialise in the female reproductive system. They are surgically trained and can perform procedures such as Caesarean sections.
CNMs and Ob/Gyns have different training, education requirements, and credentials. CNMs have completed nursing school and have a graduate degree in midwifery, while Ob/Gyns complete four years of medical school and a four-year residency program. CNMs can provide pregnancy care, deliver babies, and offer reproductive healthcare beyond pregnancy. They can prescribe medication, order lab tests, and diagnose conditions.
CNMs often work as part of an integrated care team with Ob/Gyns, providing personalised support alongside medical safety nets. This collaboration ensures that patients have access to a range of care options and can receive the highest quality and seamless care.
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Certified Midwives (CMs) are trained for hospital practice
Certified Midwives (CMs) are trained to work in hospitals, clinics, and birth centres. They are qualified healthcare professionals who guide women through their reproductive years, from adolescence to menopause. CMs are trained to provide pregnancy and delivery care, as well as general reproductive care, including prescribing medication, ordering lab tests, and diagnosing conditions.
CMs follow the same educational path and certification exam as Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) but do not hold a nursing degree. This distinction was made in 1997 to allow individuals from non-nursing backgrounds to become midwives. CMs and CNMs meet the same core competencies, take the same board exam, and have identical scopes of practice, including prescriptive privileges.
CNMs are registered nurses who have received additional training in obstetrics and are certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM). They often work alongside obstetricians and gynaecologists (Ob/Gyns) in hospitals, providing integrated care for their patients. CNMs can also work in clinics, birth centres, or patients' homes.
Both CMs and CNMs are trained for hospital practice, with CMs being a more recent addition to the profession to allow individuals without nursing degrees to become midwives. CNMs, on the other hand, are registered nurses with additional qualifications. Both types of midwives play an important role in providing care and support to women during pregnancy, labour, and beyond.
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CMs and CNMs have identical scopes of practice
Certified Midwives (CMs) and Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) have identical scopes of practice, despite differences in their educational backgrounds. CMs and CNMs meet the same core competencies, sit for the same board exam, and have identical scopes of practice, including prescriptive privileges. CNMs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with a master's or doctoral degree in nurse-midwifery, while CMs have a master's degree in midwifery and have not completed nursing school. CNMs are also licensed registered nurses, whereas CMs are not.
The CM credential was developed in 1994 to expand access to midwifery through multiple educational pathways. CMs and CNMs are both certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) and follow American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) standards and code of ethics for midwifery. They offer advanced clinical services across a woman's lifespan, including pregnancy care, delivery, and general reproductive care. They can prescribe medication, order lab tests and diagnose conditions.
Both CMs and CNMs are qualified to work in hospitals, clinics, and birth centers. CNMs often work alongside obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs) in these settings, providing integrated care. Midwives are ideal for low-risk pregnancies and births or when a more natural approach to care is desired. They can assist in C-sections, but a collaborating physician will be called on to perform the procedure if needed.
The legal status of CMs and CNMs varies by state. CMs are currently recognized in several states, including New York, New Jersey, and California, while CNMs are licensed in all 50 states. Efforts are underway to promote equitable national and state recognition of the CM credential.
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Frequently asked questions
A midwife is a trained professional who assists women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. They are typically trained in pregnancy, childbirth, and other female reproductive care, such as pelvic exams.
There are three types of midwives with certification in the US: Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), Certified Midwives (CMs), and Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs). CNMs and CMs primarily attend births in hospitals, while CPMs specialize in out-of-hospital births.
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are registered nurses who have completed nursing school and obtained a graduate degree in midwifery. They are licensed by their respective state's nursing board and certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. Certified Midwives (CMs) follow the same educational path and certification exam as CNMs but do not hold a nursing degree. Their legal status varies by state.
