American Midwifery Certification Board Certifies 398 New CNM/CMs

LINTHICUM, Md., Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB), the certifying body for certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States, reports that 392 candidates for the CNM designation and 6 candidates for the CM designation passed the certification exam in 2011.  This represents a nearly 17-percent increase over the previous year and the fourth consecutive year of increase in the number of new CNMs and CMs.

"This is the largest number of new CNMs and CMs since 2002, and reflects the continuing upward trend in the number of applicants for the certified nurse-midwife and certified midwife designation," says Barbara Graves, CNM, MN, MPH, FACNM, the AMCB Board President.

CNMs and CMs provide a full range of primary health care services for women from adolescence beyond menopause. These services include primary care, gynecologic and family planning services, preconception care, care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, care of the normal newborn during the first 28 days of life, and treatment of male partners for sexually transmitted infections.  To sit for the AMCB national certification exam, individuals must successfully complete a graduate education program in midwifery that has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education.

"It's very satisfying to see the increasing numbers of new CNMs and CMs," says Graves. "Our 5 year average pass rate of 85% remains consistent, so this increase in new certificants represents a true increase in the number of applicants." 

The AMCB is the national certifying body for Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs). Certification protects the public by ensuring that certified individuals have met predetermined criteria for safety in practice. State licensure provides the legal basis for practice. Most states require AMCB certification for licensure, and most institutions require AMCB certification to grant practice privileges. The certification function is a critical aspect of professional quality assurance in midwifery.

Contact: Carrie D. Bright, IOM, CAE
Executive Director, American Midwifery Certification Board, Inc.
410-694-9424
[email protected]
www.amcbmidwife.org

SOURCE American Midwifery Certification Board