Top 10 Midwife Certifications

Certifications for a midwife are important in the job market because they demonstrate that the midwife has the necessary knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective care to pregnant women and newborns. Certified midwives also have access to better job opportunities, higher salaries, and greater respect from employers. Certification shows that a midwife has specialized training in obstetrics, gynecology, neonatal nursing, breastfeeding support, and other areas of maternal care. In addition, certification can make it easier for a midwife to get hired or promoted by showing employers that she has met certain standards of practice.

This article reviews certifications available to midwives and explains how they can contribute to the success of their career.

What are Midwife Certifications?

Midwife certification is a voluntary process of certifying midwives as professionals who have met certain standards set by their respective midwifery organizations. This certification provides assurance to the public that the midwife has met specific educational and clinical requirements, passed examinations and has been found competent to practice midwifery safely and effectively.

By obtaining midwife certification, a midwife can prove that they have attained a certain level of knowledge and skill in their profession. It also helps to demonstrate their commitment to providing quality care for clients. Certified midwives are better equipped to provide comprehensive care during pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum, as well as be better informed about the latest research and current best practices in maternity care. In addition, certified midwives may be able to obtain malpractice insurance at a lower cost than those without certification due to demonstrating higher levels of knowledge and proficiency in the field.

Ultimately, midwife certification can help ensure that clients receive safe, high-quality care from qualified providers. By investing in their professional development through certification, certified midwives can gain greater respect from peers, employers and clients alike while helping promote positive outcomes for mothers and babies everywhere.

Pro Tip: When considering midwife certification, make sure to research the different certifying organizations and their requirements to ensure you are getting the best education possible. Additionally, consider if you need additional certifications or qualifications to practice in your particular state.

Related: What does a Midwife do?

Top 10 Midwife Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Midwifes today.

1. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is a health care professional who provides primary care for women throughout their lifespan, from adolescence to menopause. CNMs are registered nurses with advanced education and clinical training in midwifery, including obstetrics, gynecology, newborn care, family planning and primary care. They can provide low-risk prenatal care, labor and delivery support, postpartum care and well-woman exams.

It typically takes two to three years to earn a master’s degree in nurse midwifery. In addition to the degree program, most CNMs must also pass a national certification exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).

To become a CNM you must first obtain an undergraduate degree in nursing or a related field. After completing your bachelor's degree you will need to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) which is required for all registered nurses. Once you have passed this exam you can then apply for admission into an accredited master's program in nurse midwifery. During the program you will learn about anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, labor and delivery techniques, neonatal assessment and management, family planning methods and more. You will also complete clinical hours under the supervision of experienced midwives.

The cost of becoming a CNM varies depending on the school you attend and any financial aid or scholarships you may receive. Generally speaking it can cost anywhere from $20,000 - $50,000 for tuition alone not including living expenses or other fees associated with attending school such as books or supplies.

Once you have completed your master's degree program in nurse midwifery you must then pass the AMCB certification exam before becoming a certified nurse midwife (CNM). This exam consists of written and practical components that assess your knowledge of midwifery practice as well as your clinical skills. The cost of taking the AMCB certification exam is approximately $500-$600 depending on whether or not you are already an AMCB member at the time of registration.

2. Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)

A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is a midwife who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). CPMs have completed an accredited midwifery education program and passed a rigorous national certification exam. They are qualified to provide care to women throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum.

It typically takes two to four years to complete the educational requirements for becoming a CPM. This includes completing a midwifery education program that is accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC), which typically consists of didactic courses, clinical experience, and apprenticeship hours. After completing the educational requirements, applicants must pass the NARM written exam in order to become certified.

In order to become certified as a CPM, applicants must first meet certain eligibility requirements including having graduated from an accredited midwifery education program; having completed at least 1000 hours of supervised clinical experience; having passed all required examinations; and being in good standing with their state board of nursing or other regulatory body. Once these requirements are met, applicants can then submit their application along with all required documentation and fees to NARM for review.

The cost of becoming a CPM varies depending on each individual’s circumstances but generally includes costs associated with tuition for midwifery school, fees for exams and certifications, and other miscellaneous expenses such as travel and lodging. The total cost can range anywhere from $3,000-$15,000 depending on where you live and your specific needs.

3. Certified Midwifery Educator (CME)

Certified Midwifery Educator (CME) is a certification for midwives who wish to teach and mentor other midwives. The certification is provided by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). It is designed to recognize the professional development of those who have achieved a high level of expertise in teaching and mentoring midwifery students, as well as those who are committed to advancing the profession through their educational activities.

The CME certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in teaching or mentoring midwifery students. Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the NARM Core Competencies for Midwifery Practice, and complete at least 15 hours of continuing education related to midwifery education within the past five years.

To become certified, applicants must submit an application, provide proof of experience, and pass an exam administered by NARM. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test knowledge on topics such as professional ethics, curriculum design, assessment methods, and student learning outcomes.

The cost for the CME certification varies depending on whether you are applying as a new applicant or renewing your existing certification. For new applicants, the cost is $250; for renewals it is $150.

4. Certified Midwife Practitioner (CMP)

A Certified Midwife Practitioner (CMP) is a professional healthcare provider who has completed an accredited midwifery education program and passed the national certification exam. CMPs provide primary care to women throughout their reproductive years, including prenatal, labor and delivery, postpartum, newborn care, gynecological care, family planning services and more.

It typically takes three to four years of study to become a CMP. This includes completing an accredited midwifery education program, which consists of coursework in anatomy and physiology, medical ethics and law, pharmacology, nutrition, obstetrics and gynecology. After completing the program requirements, students must pass the national certification exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).

To become a CMP you must first complete an accredited midwifery education program. You can find programs through schools offering Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in midwifery or through online programs. Once you have completed your degree program you must pass the national certification exam administered by the AMCB. After passing the exam you will receive your CMP credential from the AMCB.

The cost of becoming a CMP varies depending on the school or program you choose to attend. Generally speaking tuition for accredited midwifery programs range from $15000-$30000 per year depending on whether it is a Bachelor's or Master's degree program as well as other factors such as location and type of institution. The cost of taking the national certification exam also varies but usually ranges between $400-$600 dollars depending on when you take it and if there are any discounts available at that time.

5. Certified Maternal-Child Health Nurse (CMCHN)

Certified Maternal-Child Health Nurse (CMCHN) is a specialized certification for nurses who provide care to pregnant women, newborns, and children. This certification is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality care in this field.

In order to become certified as a CMCHN, nurses must have at least two years of experience working in maternal-child health nursing and have completed an approved program in maternal-child health nursing. Nurses must also pass an exam administered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC). The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions that cover topics such as obstetrics, gynecology, neonatology, pediatrics, nutrition, and public health.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the requirements for certification. The cost of the exam varies depending on the testing center but is usually between $200-$300.

6. International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a health care professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. They are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and have extensive knowledge, experience, and skills to provide evidence-based care to mothers and babies during the breastfeeding period.

To become an IBCLC, individuals must meet certain educational and experiential requirements, pass the IBLCE exam, and maintain their certification through continuing education every five years.

The educational requirements include completing 90 hours of lactation-specific coursework from an accredited institution or program. The experiential requirements include a minimum of 1000 hours of practice in lactation consulting within a five year period prior to taking the exam.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on where you take it. In the US, it costs $395 for first time test takers and $295 for those renewing their certification.

In addition to the fees associated with taking the exam, there are also fees associated with maintaining your certification such as renewal fees every 5 years ($95), recertification fees ($195), and continuing education credits ($50-$100).

7. American College of Nurse-Midwives Certification Council (ACNMCC)

The American College of Nurse-Midwives Certification Council (ACNMCC) is a non-profit organization that provides certification for nurse midwives in the United States. The ACNMCC was established in 1955 to promote and protect the health and safety of childbearing women and their families through the certification, regulation, and education of nurse midwives.

It takes approximately 18 months to complete the ACNMCC certification process. To become certified by the ACNMCC, applicants must first meet educational requirements, which include graduating from an accredited midwifery program or completing a bridge program for registered nurses who have completed a bachelor's degree in nursing. After meeting these educational requirements, applicants must then pass both a written exam and a clinical skills assessment exam.

The cost of becoming certified by the ACNMCC varies depending on whether you are taking the exams for the first time or retaking them. The cost for taking both exams for the first time is $1,200; if you need to retake either exam, it will cost $400 per exam. In addition to these fees, there is also an application fee of $100 and a processing fee of $50.

8. Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) is an educational program developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association. It is designed to teach healthcare providers how to properly assess, stabilize, and resuscitate newborns who are at risk for or experiencing respiratory distress. The program covers topics such as initial assessment, airway management, chest compressions, ventilation, oxygenation, medications, umbilical cord care, and transport.

The NRP course typically takes 8-10 hours to complete. The course can be taken in a classroom setting with an instructor or online with an interactive course platform. The cost of the course varies depending on the provider offering it; however, most courses cost around $100-$200 USD.

In order to become certified in NRP, you must successfully pass both a written exam and skills assessment test. Upon successful completion of both tests, you will receive a certification card that is valid for two years from the date of issue.

9. Advanced Cardiac Life Support for Healthcare Providers (ACLS-HCP)

Advanced Cardiac Life Support for Healthcare Providers (ACLS-HCP) is a two-day certification course designed to teach healthcare providers the necessary skills to recognize and treat life-threatening cardiac emergencies. It is recommended for any healthcare provider who may encounter a patient in cardiac arrest or with other life-threatening cardiac conditions.

The ACLS-HCP course typically takes two days to complete. The first day covers the basic knowledge of ACLS, including topics such as airway management, pharmacology, electrical therapies, and resuscitation algorithms. The second day focuses on the practical application of these concepts through simulation scenarios and case studies.

To get certified in ACLS-HCP, you must attend an approved training course. These courses are offered by many hospitals and medical centers, as well as online providers. You can find a list of approved providers on the American Heart Association's website (www.heart.org).

The cost of an ACLS-HCP course varies depending on the provider and location, but typically ranges from $200-$500. Additionally, there may be additional fees for materials such as textbooks or manikins used during the course.

10. Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS-HCP)

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS-HCP) is a certification program that teaches healthcare providers how to perform CPR, use an AED (automated external defibrillator), and provide basic life support. The program is designed to help healthcare providers respond quickly and effectively in emergency situations.

The BLS-HCP program takes about four hours to complete and includes both a written and skills test. To get certified, you must attend an American Heart Association approved course with an instructor who is certified in BLS-HCP.

The cost of the course varies depending on the provider, but typically ranges from $50-$100. The cost usually includes the course materials as well as the certification card upon successful completion of the course.

Do You Really Need a Midwife Certificate?

When it comes to the decision of whether or not to pursue a midwife certificate, there are a few things to consider. The most important factor is your own personal goals and motivations for becoming a certified midwife. If you have a passion for providing quality care to pregnant women and their families, then obtaining a midwife certificate may be the best choice for you.

A midwife certificate provides evidence that you have been trained in the skills and knowledge necessary to provide safe and effective care for pregnant women and their families. It also shows that you have successfully completed an approved midwifery program from an accredited institution, meaning that you have achieved the highest standards of practice in the field.

In addition to demonstrating your commitment to excellence in the field, having a midwife certificate will also give you access to higher-paying jobs and more career opportunities than those without one. It can also help differentiate you from other qualified professionals who do not hold such credentials, potentially giving you an edge when seeking employment or promotion.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a midwife certificate depends on your own career objectives and professional goals. If becoming a certified midwifery practitioner is something that interests you and aligns with your career aspirations, then pursuing this certification can open up many doors of opportunity for growth both professionally and personally.

Related: Midwife Resume Examples

FAQs About Midwife Certifications

1. What qualifications are needed to become a midwife?

Answer: To become a midwife, you must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in midwifery or an equivalent qualification such as the Diploma of Midwifery. You will also need to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

2. Is there an exam required for midwife certification?

Answer: Yes, all prospective midwives must pass the NMC's registration assessment, which includes a written multiple-choice exam, an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and a practical assessment of competence.

3. How long does it take to get certified as a midwife?

Answer: The length of time required to become certified can vary depending on your prior qualifications and experience but typically takes around two years.

4. What is included in the scope of practice for midwives?

Answer: The scope of practice for midwives includes providing antenatal care, caring for women during labor and delivery, providing postnatal care, assisting with family planning advice and counseling, carrying out health assessments and screening tests, conducting research on maternity issues and promoting public health education related to childbirth.

5. Is there ongoing training or continuing education required for midwife certification?

Answer: Yes, all registered midwives must maintain their registration by completing 45 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) every three years in order to remain qualified.