Navigating the Path: A Comprehensive Guide to Midwife Education Requirements

Midwifery is a rewarding and versatile profession focused on providing comprehensive healthcare to women, particularly during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Nurse-midwifery is a rewarding profession, one that allows you to offer holistic, person- and family-centered care to women across the lifespan. If the philosophy of nurse-midwifery care and the idea of embarking on this career path seems right for you, the proper education can make all the difference. This article explores the various educational paths, requirements, and opportunities available for aspiring midwives, focusing on certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs).

Understanding the Role of a Midwife

Midwives are healthcare professionals who assist women through pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and postpartum health. A certified nurse-midwife is an advanced practice registered nurse responsible for providing care and support to women. Although their work typically focuses on pregnant women, they can also work with women at various stages of their lives and support their health in numerous ways. CNMs are also classified as licensed and independent healthcare providers across the entire United States and primary care providers according to federal law.

They are known for their evidence-based care, which is grounded in affirming the power of women, honoring the normalcy of their lifecycles, and prioritizing compassionate partnerships with women. In addition to pregnancy and childbirth care, nurse-midwives also provide primary care, well-woman gynecology, family planning, fertility, and newborn care during the first 28 days of life. Obstetric care provided by certified nurse-midwives is consistently associated with fewer cesareans, more spontaneous vaginal deliveries and successful vaginal birth after cesareans, and higher breastfeeding rates.

Types of Midwives: CNMs vs. CMs

There’s often confusion between CNMs and certified midwives (CMs). It is important to note that a certified nurse-midwife is different than a certified midwife (CM). Here's a breakdown of the key differences:

Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM): A CNM is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with graduate-level training in midwifery, allowing them to provide a full range of women’s healthcare services, including gynecological exams, prescribing medications, and delivering babies in hospitals or clinical settings. CNMs are registered nurses (RNs) who have graduated from a midwifery educational program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). They have also passed a national certification examination administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
Certified Midwife (CM): A Certified Midwife (CM) has similar midwifery training but does not have a nursing background, which may limit their scope of practice in some states. Instead, CMs have a healthcare-related degree or educational background, and they graduate from a midwifery program. They both have to take the same certification exam and often have similar academic backgrounds, completing similar degree programs and taking a nurse-midwifery program of some sort.

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. 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. CMs are legally recognized in 9 states (DE, HI, MD, ME, NJ, NY, OK, RI, VA) and the District of Columbia.

Read also: Becoming a Nurse Midwife

Educational Pathways to Becoming a Midwife

Preparing in College

You can begin preparing for a career in midwifery as early as your freshman year. Here are smart steps to take in college if your ultimate goal is to become a midwife:

Choose a Strong Science Background: Science courses like biology, microbiology, chemistry, human anatomy and physiology are typical prerequisites to most midwifery programs. Courses in nutrition, algebra and statistics, lifespan development, English composition, sociology, and psychology are also helpful and often required.
Consider a Nursing Degree: A bachelor’s degree in nursing sets you up for a smooth transition into a graduate midwifery program. In fact, most midwifery programs are in schools of nursing, and some programs require applicants to be registered nurses (RNs) prior to entry into midwifery school. The skills, knowledge, and expertise acquired in a professional nursing degree also provide a solid foundation for a career in nurse-midwifery, which is legal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Explore Alternative Majors: If you wish to enter midwifery directly without also educating as a nurse, there are currently two accredited education programs for Certified Midwives (CMs). Graduates are eligible to take the same certification exam that nurse-midwifery graduates take. A degree in women’s studies, anthropology, sociology, or psychology may be useful in your future work as a midwife. Many midwifery programs leading to the certified nurse-midwife credential have available accelerated nursing education prior to midwifery training. This path involves education as a nurse after your other bachelors degree, but can result in a more diverse and well-rounded education.
Gain Relevant Experience: Participate in extra-curricular activities that are related to health care, such as volunteering at local health clinics or women’s health centers.
Immerse Yourself in Midwifery Literature: Read books that describe the lives of present day American midwives. (Click here for ACNM’s selected reading list.)

Becoming a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)

To become a CNM, you must first become a registered nurse (RN), complete a graduate-level nurse-midwifery program, pass the AMCB certification exam, and obtain state licensure. Here's a detailed breakdown:

Become a Registered Nurse (RN): The first step is to become a registered nurse. This is a fundamental requirement for the role, and you won’t be able to get onto any nurse-midwifery program without a nursing qualification. To become a registered nurse or RN, you need to complete an official accredited nursing program. You’ll also need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Individuals interested in becoming a nurse midwife must first obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) and pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam to become a registered nurse.
Enroll in a Graduate-Level Nurse-Midwifery Program: Once you’ve passed the NCLEX-RN and registered as a nurse, you can proceed to focus on your nurse-midwife specialty as part of your continuing education. These programs are graduate-level (for students who have already obtained a graduate degree or equivalent). They may also come with strict eligibility requirements, like a GPA of 3.0. Apply to nurse-midwifery programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). These programs must be at the graduate level and typically require a GPA of 3.0. CNMs are registered nurses who receive graduate-level training through programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). Programs can vary and include nursing and midwifery programs. Depending on what institution you choose, nurse-midwife programs, for example, can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Regardless of the program, those training to be certified nurse-midwives will complete coursework in antepartum care, advanced primary care, intrapartum and postpartum care and newborn care. They also complete clinical rotations in professional settings. Generally - and this might vary from program to program - students in these programs will complete more than 500 hours of work in a clinical setting.
- Curriculum: Course work is divided into 3 trimesters for a total of 10 semesters. The curriculum is focused on emphasizing women-focused health care services and provides a detailed study of pregnancy and birth, gynecological, and preventive care.
Pass the AMCB Certification Exam: Once you’ve finished a nurse-midwifery program, the next big challenge in learning to become a certified nurse-midwife is passing the nurse-midwifery exam. The exam challenges you on your knowledge of the many areas of healthcare that CNMs are experts in, including antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care. After completing your program, you’ll have to apply to take the certified nurse-midwifery exam, which is administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). You must pass this exam to earn your certified nurse-midwife certification. The exam tests you on your knowledge of antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn, woman/gynecology and women’s health/primary care subject areas. The fee for the AMCB nurse-midwife exam is $500 as of October 2025.

Read also: What makes a quality PE curriculum?
Obtain State Licensure: The hard part is officially out of the way with the exam passed. But you’re still not done and ready to start working as a CNM immediately. With the certification, you’ll need to apply for state licensure in whichever state you intend to work in. Once you’ve passed the exam, you must apply for state licensure as a certified nurse-midwife in the state where you plan to practice.

You must renew your certification every five years. Individuals must complete the AMCB Certificate Maintenance Program (CMP) to renew their certificate. The CMP is designed to ensure CNMs (and CMs) remain educated, knowledgeable, and competent practitioners.

Becoming a Certified Midwife (CM)

The educational path for CMs differs slightly from that of CNMs. CMs are professionals whose education background is in a healthcare field other than nursing and who have completed a master’s-level midwifery program. They are like CNMs in nearly every way, except they aren’t required to hold an undergraduate nursing education.

Educational Requirements: CMs typically need a healthcare-related degree and must complete a midwifery program.
Certification and Licensure: Like CNMs, CMs must pass the AMCB certification exam and obtain state licensure to practice in states that recognize CMs.

Online Programs

Sometimes it can be difficult to commit to a full-time, on-site certified nurse-midwife program, especially if you are already working as a registered nurse. Putting your career on pause or uprooting your life to attend an on-campus program might not be an option. But online programs are not all the same. Some universities offer online programs that are identical to their on-campus programs, allowing students to earn a degree from a reputable university without relocating. You will still need to complete on-site clinical practicum hours as well. Online programs make it easier for you to balance studying and the demands of your career.

The MSN Nurse-Midwifery Pathway is offered in a distance accessible format that combines on-line didactic coursework with on-campus intensives and clinical immersions in health care systems.

What to Expect in a Midwifery Program

Midwifery programs provide comprehensive training in various aspects of women’s health, including:

Antepartum Care: Managing care during pregnancy.
Intrapartum Care: Providing care during labor and delivery.
Postpartum Care: Caring for women after childbirth.
Newborn Care: Providing care for newborns.
Gynecological Care: Offering general gynecological and preventive care.

Students also complete clinical rotations in professional settings. Regardless of the program, those training to be certified nurse-midwives will complete coursework in antepartum care, advanced primary care, intrapartum and postpartum care and newborn care. They also complete clinical rotations in professional settings. Generally - and this might vary from program to program - students in these programs will complete more than 500 hours of work in a clinical setting.

Skills and Qualities of a Successful Midwife

Midwives have a unique job in the healthcare field and, therefore, need a specific set of skills. These include:

Understanding and Caring Attitude: Having a baby is one of the most exciting moments in a woman’s life.
Interpersonal Skills: Midwives will encounter all different types of mothers and families, and everyone experiences pregnancy differently with unique challenges. Ability to get on well with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
Emotional and Mental Strength: Over the course of pregnancy and at the time of delivery, there’s a myriad of things that can go wrong.
Observation Skills: There are many nuances of pregnancy. Good observation.
Patience: Pregnancies can be long and exhausting for mothers, with no limit to frustrating side effects.

Career Opportunities and Outlook

CNMs work in hospitals, clinics, and birthing centers and can even establish independent practices. You can find certified nurse-midwives working nationwide - from major hospitals to private practices and health and birthing centers. CNMs are licensed to work in hospitals, clinics, free-standing birth centers, and home settings. Most CNMs across the United States, and specifically in Arkansas, work in a clinic or hospital setting.

Employment for CNMs is projected to grow 35 percent from 2024 to 2034, which is a much faster pace than the average for all occupations, according to the BLS report on nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. An increased demand for healthcare services is expected to drive this growth, due in part to an emphasis on preventive care and the fact that advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), such as CNMs, can perform many of the same services as physicians. As states expand APRN practice authority, CNMs will be able to perform more services independently to meet growing healthcare needs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more job opportunities than ever for nurse-midwives, and these jobs will continue to grow. The BLS predicts that from 2023 to 2033, jobs in this field will increase by 40%.

Salary Expectations

A career in certified nurse-midwifery can be lucrative and rewarding. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average hourly wage of a certified nurse-midwife was $61.92 as of May 2024, according to the Occupational Employment Statistics - Nurse Midwives report. Of course, a CNM’s salary varies from state to state. The BLS shows that California stands as the highest-paying state for certified nurse-midwives, with an average annual wage of $179,630. The BLS also reports that the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan area pays most competitively, with an hourly wage of $91.41. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a CNM (in 2023) is just under $130,000 a year, which is a little over $62 an hour, similar to that of other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

Dispelling Common Misconceptions

Many people hear the word “midwife” and assume that CNMs only deliver babies. That’s certainly a big part of what CNMs do: delivering babies safely-including home births-and supporting mothers through this process. Typically, CNMs can provide all the support an expecting mother needs for a traditional, natural delivery. They can provide healthcare for women in the buildup to birth, along with postpartum support.

While mostly associated with care during pregnancy, CNM roles also include general healthcare for women. This means that certified nurse-midwives can assess and manage contraceptive and birth control methods, offer general gynecological care, and preventive care. They prescribe medications, medical devices, and treatments.

Resources for Aspiring Midwives

American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM): The American College of Nurse-Midwives is the professional body that represents Certified Nurse-Midwives and serves as a great resource to gather information about the profession, as well as education and career opportunities.
Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME): ACME accredits midwifery education programs.
American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB): The American Midwifery Certification Board is the gold standard in midwifery and nurse-midwifery certification. 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. There are more than 120 testing sites nationally-at least one in each state plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Phone: 410-694-9424 ext.

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