The Certified The Certified Professional Professional

MidwifeMidwife(CPM)(CPM)

………………and how to become and how to become one!one!

Last Updated in 2009; For Most Current Data, see: www.narm.org

What is a What is a Certified Professional Certified Professional

Midwife?Midwife? A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is

a knowledgeable, skilled and professional a knowledgeable, skilled and professional independent midwifery practitioner who independent midwifery practitioner who has met the standards for certification set has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and is qualified to Midwives (NARM) and is qualified to provide the Midwives Model of Care. provide the Midwives Model of Care.

The CPM is the only international The CPM is the only international credential that requires knowledge about credential that requires knowledge about and experience in out-of-hospital settings. and experience in out-of-hospital settings.

The Midwives Model of Care is based The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life events. The Midwives are normal life events. The Midwives

Model of Care includes:Model of Care includes: monitoring the physical, psychological and social monitoring the physical, psychological and social

well-being of the mother throughout the well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle;childbearing cycle;

providing the mother with individualized providing the mother with individualized education, counseling and prenatal care, education, counseling and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery and postpartum support;delivery and postpartum support;

minimizing technological interventions; andminimizing technological interventions; and identifying and referring women who require identifying and referring women who require

obstetrical attention. obstetrical attention.

The application of this model has been The application of this model has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma and cesarean section.injury, trauma and cesarean section.

CPMCPM

Completion of this Completion of this Certification cannot be seen Certification cannot be seen as legal protection, which is as legal protection, which is determined by territorial determined by territorial governments.governments.

Educational Requirements to Educational Requirements to Become a Certified Become a Certified

Professional Midwife (CPM)Professional Midwife (CPM)

The Certified Professional Midwife The Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is a knowledgeable, skilled (CPM) is a knowledgeable, skilled professional midwife who has been professional midwife who has been educated through a variety of educated through a variety of routes. routes.

Candidates eligible to apply Candidates eligible to apply for the Certified for the Certified

Professional Midwife (CPM) Professional Midwife (CPM) credential include:credential include:

Graduates of programs accredited by Graduates of programs accredited by the Midwifery Education the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC); Accreditation Council (MEAC);

Midwives certified by the ACNM Midwives certified by the ACNM Certification Council (ACC), Inc. as Certification Council (ACC), Inc. as CNMs or CMs; andCNMs or CMs; and

Candidates who have completed Candidates who have completed NARMNARM’’s competency-based Portfolio s competency-based Portfolio Evaluation Process, the PEP Program. Evaluation Process, the PEP Program.

NARM recognizes that the NARM recognizes that the education of a Certified education of a Certified

Professional Midwife (CPM) is Professional Midwife (CPM) is composed of didactic and clinical composed of didactic and clinical

experience.experience. The clinical component of the The clinical component of the

educational process must be at least educational process must be at least two years in duration under the two years in duration under the supervision of one or more supervision of one or more preceptors.preceptors.

The average apprenticeship typically The average apprenticeship typically lasts 3-to-5 years.lasts 3-to-5 years.

All clinicals must have occurred All clinicals must have occurred within 10 years of the application within 10 years of the application submissionsubmission

A preceptor for a NARM A preceptor for a NARM PEP applicant must be PEP applicant must be

credentialed as:credentialed as: A nationally certified midwife (CPM or A nationally certified midwife (CPM or

CNM); or a Licensed MidwifeCNM); or a Licensed Midwife The preceptor must have an additional 3 The preceptor must have an additional 3

years of experience, or 50 births, including years of experience, or 50 births, including 10 continuity of care births beyond the 10 continuity of care births beyond the experience requirements for CPM experience requirements for CPM certification, & the preceptor must have certification, & the preceptor must have attended at least 10 births in the past 3 attended at least 10 births in the past 3 years.years.

The preceptor privileges of some midwives have been The preceptor privileges of some midwives have been revoked. It is the student’s responsibility to verify their revoked. It is the student’s responsibility to verify their preceptor’s status by asking their preceptor or contacting preceptor’s status by asking their preceptor or contacting NARM. NARM.

The preceptor(s) holds final The preceptor(s) holds final responsibility for responsibility for

confirming that the confirming that the applicant provided the applicant provided the

required care.required care. The preceptor(s) must be physically The preceptor(s) must be physically

present in the same room in a present in the same room in a supervisory capacity during that supervisory capacity during that care and must confirm the provision care and must confirm the provision of that care by initialing the of that care by initialing the appropriate NARM forms.appropriate NARM forms.

CPMCPMGeneral Education General Education

RequirementsRequirements

Educational Content AreasEducational Content Areas

The education of all entry-level The education of all entry-level CPM applicants must include the CPM applicants must include the content areas identified in the content areas identified in the following documents, which are following documents, which are included in the included in the Candidate Candidate Information BulletinInformation Bulletin (CIB) section (CIB) section of the application packet of the application packet

A. The Core Competencies developed by the A. The Core Competencies developed by the Midwives Alliance of North America;Midwives Alliance of North America;

B. The NARM Written Test Specifications, B. The NARM Written Test Specifications, which will be used as the outline and Study which will be used as the outline and Study Guide for the NARM Written Examination;Guide for the NARM Written Examination;

C. The NARM Skills Assessment Test C. The NARM Skills Assessment Test Specifications, which will be used as the Specifications, which will be used as the outline and Study Guide for the NARM outline and Study Guide for the NARM Skills Assessment;Skills Assessment;

D. The NARM Written Examination Primary D. The NARM Written Examination Primary Reference List; andReference List; and

E. The NARM Skills Assessment Reference E. The NARM Skills Assessment Reference List.List.

Experience RequirementsExperience Requirements

I.I. As an observer, the applicant must As an observer, the applicant must attend a minimum of 10 births in any attend a minimum of 10 births in any setting, in any capacity. (observer, setting, in any capacity. (observer, doula, family member, friend, doula, family member, friend, beginning apprentice).beginning apprentice).

II.II. As an As an Assistant Under SupervisionAssistant Under Supervision, , you must attend a minimum of 20 you must attend a minimum of 20 births, 25 prenatals (including 3 initial births, 25 prenatals (including 3 initial exams), 20 newborn exams, 10 exams), 20 newborn exams, 10 postpartum visits as an assistant under postpartum visits as an assistant under the supervision of a qualified preceptor.the supervision of a qualified preceptor.

II. Functioning in the role of II. Functioning in the role of Primary Midwife Under Primary Midwife Under SupervisionSupervision, you must attend a , you must attend a minimum of an additional 25 births:minimum of an additional 25 births:

Continuity of Care: Continuity of Care: Of the 25 primary births required under Of the 25 primary births required under

supervision in Phase 3, 5 require full supervision in Phase 3, 5 require full Continuity of Care, & 10 more require at least Continuity of Care, & 10 more require at least one prenatal under supervision.one prenatal under supervision.

5 Continuity of Care as a 5 Continuity of Care as a Primary Primary Midwife Under Supervision Midwife Under Supervision will will include 5 prenatals spanning at least include 5 prenatals spanning at least 2 trimesters, the birth, newborn 2 trimesters, the birth, newborn exam, & 2 postpartum exams.exam, & 2 postpartum exams.

Full Continuity for 5 Primary Births:

Prenatals for 10 additional Prenatals for 10 additional Primary Under Primary Under

SupervisionSupervision births: births: Students must have attended at least Students must have attended at least

1 prenatal (in a primary or assisting 1 prenatal (in a primary or assisting role) with the mother prior to her role) with the mother prior to her labor & birth for 10 of the 20 primary labor & birth for 10 of the 20 primary births under supervision in phase 3 births under supervision in phase 3 (in addition to the 5 with full COC.(in addition to the 5 with full COC.

A minimum of 10 of the 25 births A minimum of 10 of the 25 births attended as Primary Under attended as Primary Under Supervision must be in homes or Supervision must be in homes or other out-of-hospital settings.other out-of-hospital settings.

At least 10 of the 20 primary births At least 10 of the 20 primary births must have occurred within three must have occurred within three years of application submission. years of application submission.

III. Functioning in the role of III. Functioning in the role of Primary Primary Midwife Under SupervisionMidwife Under Supervision, you must , you must

document:document:A. 75 prenatal exams, including 20 A. 75 prenatal exams, including 20

initial exams;initial exams;

B. 20 newborn exams; andB. 20 newborn exams; and

C. 40 postpartum exams.C. 40 postpartum exams.

The applicant must competently perform The applicant must competently perform all aspects of midwifery care (prenatal, all aspects of midwifery care (prenatal, intrapartal, & postpartal) under the intrapartal, & postpartal) under the direct supervision of the preceptor.direct supervision of the preceptor.

Other Required Other Required DocumentationDocumentation

You must provide:You must provide:

I. A copy of both sides of current CPR I. A copy of both sides of current CPR (Adult and either Infant or Neonatal (Adult and either Infant or Neonatal Resuscitation) Certification;Resuscitation) Certification;

Other Required Other Required DocumentationDocumentation

You must provide:You must provide:

II. Written verification by you or your II. Written verification by you or your preceptor that you have developed preceptor that you have developed and utilize: and utilize:

A. Practice guidelines;A. Practice guidelines;B. An informed consent document;B. An informed consent document;C. Forms and handouts relating to C. Forms and handouts relating to

midwifery practice; andmidwifery practice; andD. An emergency care plan.D. An emergency care plan.

Requirements for Certification Requirements for Certification by Educational Categoryby Educational Category

The first step toward becoming a Certified Professional The first step toward becoming a Certified Professional Midwife is the validation of your midwifery education. You Midwife is the validation of your midwifery education. You may validate your education through one of the following may validate your education through one of the following

routes:routes:

Graduation from a MEAC-Accredited Graduation from a MEAC-Accredited Program.Program.

Certification by the ACC as a CNM/CM.Certification by the ACC as a CNM/CM. Legal recognition in states previously Legal recognition in states previously

evaluated for educational equivalency.evaluated for educational equivalency. Completion of NARMCompletion of NARM’’s Portfolio Evaluation s Portfolio Evaluation

Process (PEP) Program. Process (PEP) Program.

Legal Recognition in States/Countries Legal Recognition in States/Countries Previously Evaluated for Educational Previously Evaluated for Educational

EquivalencyEquivalency

The purpose of this The purpose of this category is to expedite the category is to expedite the application process for application process for individual midwives individual midwives legally recognized in a legally recognized in a state/country listed to the state/country listed to the right. right.

AlaskaAlaska ArizonaArizona ArkansasArkansas CaliforniaCalifornia ColoradoColorado FloridaFlorida LouisianaLouisiana New HampshireNew Hampshire New Mexico New Mexico MontanaMontana OregonOregon South Carolina South Carolina TexasTexas WashingtonWashington United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Completion of NARMCompletion of NARM’’s Portfolio s Portfolio Evaluation Process (PEP) Evaluation Process (PEP)

ProgramProgram This category has been developed to This category has been developed to

facilitate applicants who are primarily facilitate applicants who are primarily apprentice-trained and/or have not apprentice-trained and/or have not graduated from a MEAC-accredited program, graduated from a MEAC-accredited program, are not certified by the AMBC as a CNM are not certified by the AMBC as a CNM /CM, or are not legally recognized in their /CM, or are not legally recognized in their states, or have not recd. Midwifery training states, or have not recd. Midwifery training outside of the U.S. NARMoutside of the U.S. NARM’’s Portfolio s Portfolio Evaluation Process (PEP) is a competency-Evaluation Process (PEP) is a competency-based educational evaluation process that based educational evaluation process that includes NARMincludes NARM’’s Skills Verification. s Skills Verification.

There are 3 PEP categories: Entry-Level, There are 3 PEP categories: Entry-Level, Internationally Educated, & Experienced Internationally Educated, & Experienced Midwives. Midwives.

Candidates applying for certification Candidates applying for certification through NARMthrough NARM’’s PEP Program will undergo s PEP Program will undergo

a 3-step process:a 3-step process:

STEP 1: Verification of experience STEP 1: Verification of experience and skills through NARMand skills through NARM’’s PEP s PEP Program. Program.

STEP 2: Application for Certification STEP 2: Application for Certification

STEP 3: CertificationSTEP 3: Certification

CPM Certification: A SummaryCPM Certification: A Summary

You must:You must: I. Complete the NARM General Application and I. Complete the NARM General Application and

CPM Application forms. CPM Application forms.

II. Submit educational validation (along with II. Submit educational validation (along with additional documentation if necessary) for one (1) additional documentation if necessary) for one (1) of the following educational routes of entry:of the following educational routes of entry:

A. Graduation from a MEAC-Accredited A. Graduation from a MEAC-Accredited Program.Program.

B. Certification by the AMBC as a CNM/CM.B. Certification by the AMBC as a CNM/CM.C. Legal recognition in states/countries C. Legal recognition in states/countries

previously evaluated for educational equivalency.previously evaluated for educational equivalency.D. Completion of NARMD. Completion of NARM’’s Portfolio s Portfolio

Evaluation Process (PEP) Program.Evaluation Process (PEP) Program.

III. Pass, or submit evidence of having passed, the III. Pass, or submit evidence of having passed, the NARM Written Examination. NARM Written Examination.

RecertificationRecertification Certification must be renewed every three Certification must be renewed every three

years.years.

Thirty (30) continuing education contact hours Thirty (30) continuing education contact hours are required during the three-year period. are required during the three-year period. These must include 5 contact hours of peer These must include 5 contact hours of peer review.review.

One contact hour is defined as fifty-five (55) One contact hour is defined as fifty-five (55)

clock minutes of time. .5 (half) contact hours clock minutes of time. .5 (half) contact hours are awarded for thirty (30) minutes to fifty-five are awarded for thirty (30) minutes to fifty-five (55) minutes. Fewer than 30 contact minutes (55) minutes. Fewer than 30 contact minutes will not be awarded continuing education will not be awarded continuing education contact hours.contact hours.

Mandatory AreasMandatory Areas

Peer Review—5 contact hours (Participation in Peer Review—5 contact hours (Participation in Peer Review and/or attendance at Peer Review Peer Review and/or attendance at Peer Review workshop)workshop)

Current CPR and Neonatal ResuscitationCurrent CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation Documentation of workshop, course or module Documentation of workshop, course or module

on cultural competency (if not already on cultural competency (if not already submitted)submitted)

Affirmation of current use of practice Affirmation of current use of practice guidelines, informed consent & emergency guidelines, informed consent & emergency care formscare forms

Demographic informationDemographic information

Two Options for Two Options for RecertificationRecertification

1. Mandatory Areas + 25 contact 1. Mandatory Areas + 25 contact hours from a mixture of categorieshours from a mixture of categories

2. Mandatory Areas + retaking the 2. Mandatory Areas + retaking the NARM Written ExaminationNARM Written Examination

Fee ScheduleFee Schedule

PEP Application Fees run around $1100. PEP Application Fees run around $1100.

Current examination fees are $900.Current examination fees are $900.

Recertification Fee $150-$200.Recertification Fee $150-$200.

Midwives who have previously passed the NARM Written Examination Midwives who have previously passed the NARM Written Examination may subtract the fee paid for the examination taken from the may subtract the fee paid for the examination taken from the certification fee. certification fee.

NARM Written Exams taken prior to 1995 will no longer be accepted NARM Written Exams taken prior to 1995 will no longer be accepted for CPM Certification. for CPM Certification.

*The PEP Program was specifically designed to enable midwives to *The PEP Program was specifically designed to enable midwives to obtain certification by providing a mechanism for evaluating their obtain certification by providing a mechanism for evaluating their knowledge, skills, and experience. This fee reflects the amount of knowledge, skills, and experience. This fee reflects the amount of work and time required for processing a PEP candidate's application work and time required for processing a PEP candidate's application and administering the NARM Skills Assessment. and administering the NARM Skills Assessment.

NARMNARM

NARM General InformationNARM General Information(770) 381-9051(770) 381-9051

(888) 842-4784 (888) 842-4784

info@narm.orgwww.narm.org

MANAMANA

Midwives Alliance of North America Midwives Alliance of North America

888-923-MANA888-923-MANA

Info@mana.orgwww.mana.org

MEACMEAC

Midwifery Education Accreditation Midwifery Education Accreditation Council Council

info@meacschools.orgwww.meacschools.org

For information about MEAC accredited For information about MEAC accredited midwifery programsmidwifery programs

Practical Skills Guide for Midwives (PSGM)

Morningstar PublishingMorningstar PublishingPO 671427PO 671427Chugiak, AK 99567Chugiak, AK 99567

888-609-PSGM 888-609-PSGM

http://www.morningstarpub.com/