The Certification Exam
The American MidwiferyCertification Board (AMCB) [formerly the ACNM Certification Council(ACC)] is the national certifying body for Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs*) and Certified Midwives (CMs*). The certification function is a critical aspect of professional quality assurance in midwifery. Nurse-midwives have been certified by examination since 1971. At that time, certification rested within the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), first within the Division of Examiners, and then within the Division of Competency Assessment. In 1991, in keeping with the professional standard that certification should be separated from the professional organization, the AMCB was incorporated as a distinct organization charged with functions related to the midwifery certificate. These functions include initial certification, recertification (certificate maintenance) and discipline. In 1998, in addition to the CNM certificate, the AMCB began to offer certification to professionally educated midwives who were not first educated as nurses. The CM certificate is offered to candidates from ACNM accredited programs in midwifery. To learn more about AMCB, visit http://www.amcbmidwife.org
Exam Prep
The ACNM offers two programs designed to help students prepare for the national examination. The Exam Prep Workbook, available through http://www.shopacnm.com and the Exam Prep Workshop, offered at the ACNM Annual Meeting offer tips on the psychology of preparing to take the exam, overview of key content areas and sample practice questions.