Becoming a Certified Professional Midwife

Before Beginning 

For the CPM Certification you must order the NARM CPM Certification Application Packet Portfolio Evaltuation Process (PEP) Application Packet and Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) first. Currently you can download it online, but when you apply for your certificate, you will have to pay a $25 administration fee for printing it.  NARM requires you to use their forms only.



Before Submitting your Application

• You must be currently certified by the American Heart Association in adult basic CPR.  You must present a copy of both sides of your certification card.

• You must be certified by the American Heart Association in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP).  You must present a copy of both sides of your certification card.

• Provide three letters of reference (personal, professional peer, and professional client)

• ​Provide a preceptor verification form.

• While functioning as the primary midwife under the supervision of your preceptor you must do the following:

      *75 Prenatal  exams including 20 Initial Exams

      *Attendance as an active participant at 20 births.

      *20 Births

              At least 10 of the 20 must be in home or other out-of-hospital settings.
              At least 3 of the 20 births must be for women who you have provided

              primary care during at least 4 prenatal visits, birth, newborn exam,

              and 1 postpartum exam.
              At least 10 of the 20 births must have occurred within three years of

              application submission.

      *20 Newborn examinations

      *40 Postpartum examinations



• Provide verification from the preceptor(s) that you have achieved proficiency on each area listed on the Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Essential for Competent Practice Verification Form including:

​      *Midwifery counseling, education and communication.

      *General healthcare skills

      *Maternal health assessment

      *Labor, birth and immediate postpartum

      *Postpartum

      *Well-woman care

      *Well-baby care



• Written verification by you or your preceptor (see specific category requirements below) that you have developed and utilize:

      *Practice Guidelines

      *An informed consent document
      *Forms and handouts relating to midwifery practice 
      *An emergency care plan



To Apply For Your License:

• Provide verification of experience and skills through NARM’s PEP Program.  Upon successfully completing NARM’s PEP Program you will be sent a Letter of Completion that can be submitted as edcuational equivalency in the CPM process.

• Submit a copy of:

      *Legal photo identification – Passport or Driver’s License
      *Both sides of your current CPR Certification
      *A head and shoulder’s photo of yourself taken within the last 6 months

      with your signature on the back



• ​Submit the CPM Application form (400) and your Letter of Completion of NARM’s PEP Program.

• Include Application fee of $700 in Certified Check or Money Order in U.S. Funds made out to NARM.  If you printed the application packet you must include an additional $25 administration fee as well. Verify fees before sending as they do periodically change.

• If you are already a licensed midwife in Arizona, you can apply for your CPM Certificate without having to retake the NARM exam.  There are documents you must complete that are specific to already licensed midwives in Arizona.  When ordering your application packet, make sure you ask for the additional documents.



After you Apply For Your License:

Upon approval of your application materials, you will be scheduled for the NARM Written Examination.  After you pass the NARM Written Examination you will receive your Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) Certificate.

 

Arizona Licensure

Once the CPM requirements have been fulfilled and you have received your certificate, you will need to contact Arizona Department of Health Services to apply to take the jurisprudence test for Arizona rules.