The American College of
Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is the professional organization that sets national educational and
practice standards for Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs). Standards for
education and certification in midwifery* are identical for CNMs and CMs. The difference
between the two credentials reflects the background of the individual prior to
entering professional midwifery1. Both enter the profession with
degrees in a variety fields and complete course work in the sciences and social
sciences. Additionally, CNMs enter
midwifery as Registered Nurses (RNs).
Entry-level competencies that must be mastered in all education programs are standardized in the ACNM document Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice2.
This document was developed by ACNM and is revised every 5 years. Curricular standards for programs have been set by the ACNM since 19623,4,5.
All midwifery education programs are located in or affiliated with an institution of higher learning that is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education6. Beginning in 2010, a graduate degree will be required for entry into midwifery practice7. All education programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), (formerly the ACNM Division of Accreditation) either grant a master's degree or higher or are affiliated with a school that offers a master's completion option.
The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) is an autonomous accrediting agency, and has been recognized continuously by the US Department of Education since 1982. It accredits both midwifery education programs and institutions. Standardized criteria developed by ACME6 are used to assess the quality and content of midwifery education. A complete list of currently accredited programs and institutions can be found at http://www.midwife.org/map.cfm.
The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) is an autonomous certifying organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The functions of the AMCB include initial certification of CNMs/CMs for entry to clinical practice, recertification and discipline. Candidates must have graduated from an ACME-accredited program in order to be eligible to sit for the national certification exam administered by the AMCB. Individuals who successfully complete AMCB certification requirements are granted a certificate as a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) or certified midwife (CM).8
Entry-level competencies that must be mastered in all education programs are standardized in the ACNM document Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice2.
This document was developed by ACNM and is revised every 5 years. Curricular standards for programs have been set by the ACNM since 19623,4,5.
All midwifery education programs are located in or affiliated with an institution of higher learning that is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education6. Beginning in 2010, a graduate degree will be required for entry into midwifery practice7. All education programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), (formerly the ACNM Division of Accreditation) either grant a master's degree or higher or are affiliated with a school that offers a master's completion option.
The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) is an autonomous accrediting agency, and has been recognized continuously by the US Department of Education since 1982. It accredits both midwifery education programs and institutions. Standardized criteria developed by ACME6 are used to assess the quality and content of midwifery education. A complete list of currently accredited programs and institutions can be found at http://www.midwife.org/map.cfm.
The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) is an autonomous certifying organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The functions of the AMCB include initial certification of CNMs/CMs for entry to clinical practice, recertification and discipline. Candidates must have graduated from an ACME-accredited program in order to be eligible to sit for the national certification exam administered by the AMCB. Individuals who successfully complete AMCB certification requirements are granted a certificate as a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) or certified midwife (CM).8
1The Knowledge, Skills and
Behaviors Prerequisite to Midwifery Coursework (Nov. 2005)
2Core Competencies for Basic
Midwifery Practice (Updated January 15, 2008)
3Avery, M. D. The history and evolution of the Core Competencies for
basic midwifery practice. J Midwifery Women's Health 2005 Mar-Apr;
50(2):102-107.
4Education Committee, ACNM. Core competencies in nurse-midwifery:
expected outcomes of nurse-midwifery education. Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
1979; 24(1):32-36.
5Roberts, Joyce and Sedler, Kay D.
The Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice: critical ACNM document revised.
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery 1997; 42(5):371-372.
6Criteria for Programmatic
Accreditation of Midwifery Education Programs with Instructions for Elaboration and Documentation (June 2010)
7Mandatory Degree Requirements for
Entry into Midwifery Practice Position Statement (March 2006)
8AMCB website www.amcbmidwife.org
* Midwifery as used throughout this document
refers to the education and practice of certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and
certified midwives (CMs) who have been certified by the American College of
Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) or the American
Midwifery Certification Board, Inc. (AMCB), formerly the American College of
Nurse-Midwives Certification Council, Inc. (ACC).
Replaces: Nursing as a Base of Midwifery Education
(1990); Midwifery and the Title Midwife (1991); Nurse-Midwifery
Education (1992).
Source: ACNM Board of
Directors
Approved: June 1996
Revised:
August 1997, December 2005, December 2006, July 2009, June 2010
