Resource
Different Types of U.S. Midwives
Not all midwives are trained, licensed, or regulated the same way. Understanding the credentials matters.
Different types of midwives exist in the United States. The credential your midwife holds reveals a great deal about her training, what she is legally permitted to do, and whether she is overseen by a regulatory body you can appeal to.
| Type | Acronym | Issuing body | Required education | Hospital privileges? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Nurse-Midwife | CNM | AMCB | Registered Nurse + accredited master's program | Typically yes |
| Certified Midwife | CM | AMCB | Bachelor's + accredited master's program (non-RN) | Varies by state |
| Certified Professional Midwife | CPM | NARM | Apprenticeship + portfolio evaluation + exam | No |
| Licensed Midwife | LM | State midwifery board | Varies by state | No |
This table is a starting point, not a complete one. State requirements change. If you spot an error or omission, let us know.
Why the distinction matters
A CNM in your area is a nurse with a graduate degree, almost always affiliated with a hospital. A CPM may have completed an apprenticeship instead of formal nursing education and has no hospital privileges; if something goes wrong during your birth, transferring you to a hospital is a separate transaction with its own delay and its own paperwork. Neither credential is "better" — they're different, and the difference matters when minutes do.