The Credential 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.

The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) [formerly the ACNM Certification Council (ACC)] administers the national certification examination for CNMs and CMs. The certification for individuals who pass the ACC national exam after January 1996 will expire after eight years and will require re-certification to maintain the professional designation. 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,  www.amcbmidwife.org.