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The Credentials CNM and CM

Certified nurse-midwives are registered nurses who have graduated from a nurse-midwifery education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) (formerly the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Division of Accreditation (DOA)) and have passed a national certification examination to receive the professional designation of certified nurse-midwife. Nurse-midwives have been practicing in the U.S. since the 1920s.

Certified midwives are individuals who have or receive a background in a health related field other than nursing and graduate from a midwifery education program accredited by ACME. Graduates of an ACME accredited midwifery education program take the same national certification examination as CNMs but receive the professional designation of certified midwife.

See how the CNM and CM credentials compare to other midwifery credentials in the United States.

The American Midwifery Certification Board(AMCB) [formerly the ACNM Certification Council (ACC)] administers the national certification examination for CNMs and CMs. The Individuals who pass the AMCB national exam are granted either the credential CNM or CM.  Participation in the Certificate Maintenance Program and recertification every five years are mandatory for active certification.  For more information about the national certification exam, contact AMCB at 849 International Dr., Suite 205, Linthicum, MD 21090, phone: (410) 694-9424, fax: (410) 694-9425, http://www.amcbmidwife.org/.