The United States recognizes three different types of certification for midwives, each requiring different credentials. Choosing a midwife with certain certifications is a key part of deciding which midwife might be the right attendant for your unique birth.
In the midwifery model of care, birth is seen as a natural process of life where birthing people are active participants in their care. This model emphasizes quality communication, relationship building, and minimal intervention. In the medical model, birth is seen as a medically significant experience. Across the three types of midwifery certification, the midwifery model of care is upheld, but the difference between the three lies in the qualifications of each type of certification and who administers these certifications.
- Certified Midwife (CM): Certified midwives have completed a course of study approved by the American Midwifery Certification board, and have a graduate degree from an accredited college or university, where they’ve taken specific science courses. They are also required to meet certain requirements for clinical experience. CMs are licensed to practice in only a few states in the U.S.
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM): CNMs have completed a graduate degree in nurse-midwifery and are registered nurses. CNMs are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.. CNMs are licensed to practice in all 50 states in the U.S., the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
- Certified Professional Midwife (CPM): CPMs are certified through the North American Registry of Midwives, not by the American Midwifery Certification board. One of the biggest differences between the two organizations is that the North American Registry of Midwives doesn’t have a specific degree requirement for certification. Another significant difference is that training for CPMs is specifically oriented towards community or out-of-hospital births. Many states do not recognize CPMs’ certification.
Depending on your state, midwives at certain levels of certification may not be an option for you, and it may be difficult for insurance to cover the cost of midwifery care. For more information about CMs and CNMs, you can check out this website. For more information about CPMs, go here.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Sources
- “Why AMCB Certification?” AMCBMidwife. American Midwifery Certification Board, Inc., 2013. Web.
- “The Midwives Model of Care.” CFMidwifery. Midwifery Task Force, Inc., Citizens for Midwifery, 2005. Web.
- “How to Become a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).” GraduateNursingEdu. GraduateNursingEDU.org, 2017. Web.
- American College of Nurse-Midwives
- North American Registry of Midwives
