Healthcare License Verification
How to Verify a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) License
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide obstetric, gynecologic, and primary care. CNM practice requires AMCB national certification and a state APRN license. Here is how to verify both, and how to distinguish CNMs from other midwifery credentials.
Quick answer
Verify CNM national certification at amcb.org (American Midwifery Certification Board). Then verify the state APRN/CNM license with the state board of nursing or midwifery licensing board in the state where the midwife practices. Both credentials are required for lawful CNM practice in most states.
Midwifery credential types
Multiple midwifery credentials exist in the U.S. They are not interchangeable. Understanding the distinction is essential before verifying:
| Credential | Certifying Body | Background |
|---|---|---|
| CNM (Certified Nurse-Midwife) | AMCB | Registered nurse + graduate midwifery education; APRN in all states |
| CM (Certified Midwife) | AMCB | Non-nurse pathway; graduate-level midwifery education; licensed in only a few states (NY, NJ, ME, RI, MO) |
| CPM (Certified Professional Midwife) | NARM | Community/home birth midwifery; licensed in many states but scope and recognition vary widely |
| LM (Licensed Midwife) | State board | State-issued license, often held alongside CPM; scope and requirements vary by state |
For hospital-based obstetric practice and most clinical settings, the CNM is the expected credential. Confirm which midwifery credential your institution requires before verifying.
AMCB national certification
The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) is the national certifying body for CNMs and CMs. AMCB certification requires:
- Completion of an ACME-accredited midwifery education program
- Passing the AMCB national certification examination
- Maintenance through continuing competency assessment every 5 years
To verify AMCB certification:
- Go to amcb.org
- Use the public credential verification tool
- Search by name — confirm the credential type (CNM or CM), active status, and expiration date
State APRN/CNM license verification
CNMs are APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses) and must hold a state APRN or CNM license in the state where they practice. State licensure is separate from AMCB certification.
State APRN/CNM license lookup (selected)
- California: California Board of Registered Nursing — breeze.ca.gov (search Nurse Practitioner / CNM)
- Texas: Texas Board of Nursing — bon.texas.gov/online-verification
- New York: NYS Office of the Professions — op.nysed.gov (Midwifery license lookup)
- Florida: Florida Board of Nursing — flhealthsource.gov
- Illinois: IDFPR license lookup — idfpr.illinois.gov/LicenseLookup
- All states: Nursys.com provides license verification for nurses and APRNs across participating state boards
Prescriptive authority
CNMs in most states have prescriptive authority including controlled substances. Prescriptive authority may require a separate DEA registration number. If the CNM role includes prescribing, confirm the DEA registration is active at deadiversion.usdoj.gov in addition to the state APRN license.
Compact states and multistate practice
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows RNs to hold a multistate license. However, APRN compact licensure (the APRN Compact) is separate and has been enacted in fewer states. Confirm whether the CNM's APRN license covers the state of practice — particularly for telehealth, travel nursing, or cross-border assignments.
Even in compact states, CNMs may need to verify that their specific APRN specialty (CNM) is recognized under the compact in the state of patient contact.
Red flags
- AMCB certification not found or listed as expired at amcb.org
- State APRN license not active in the state of practice
- Candidate presents a CPM credential for a hospital-based or clinical CNM role — CPM scope is typically limited to home and birth center settings
- No DEA registration when the role requires prescribing controlled substances
- AMCB continuing competency not current — 5-year cycle required to maintain certification
Verification checklist
- 1. Verify AMCB CNM certification at amcb.org — confirm Active status and expiration
- 2. Verify state APRN/CNM license with the state board of nursing in the state of practice
- 3. Confirm state license is unrestricted (no disciplinary actions or practice limitations)
- 4. If prescribing is required: confirm DEA registration at deadiversion.usdoj.gov
- 5. Confirm midwifery education program was ACME-accredited
Verify midwifery program accreditation
CNM education programs must be accredited by ACME (Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education). Use VerifyED to confirm whether a midwifery program is properly accredited.
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