Pennsylvania Licensure Requirements
Completion of an approved Midwifery Program
1 Examination
No Experience Requirement
3 Hours of Continuing Education
$50.00 Initial Fee
$40.00 Renewal Fee
A licensed registered nurse by the State Board of Medicine to practice midwifery. The practice of midwifery involves the management of care of essentially normal women and their normal neonates. This includes antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and non-surgically related gynecological care.
Degree/Licensure Requirement:
An applicant must:
1. Be licensed as a registered nurse in this Commonwealth; and
2. Have successfully completed an academic and clinical program of study in midwifery which has been approved by the Board or by an accrediting body recognized by the Board.
The Board recognizes the American College of Nurse-Midwives and the American Commission for Midwifery Education or their successor organization as an accrediting body of programs of study in midwifery.
Examination Requirement:
1 Examination
An applicant must have successfully passed a midwife examination offered or recognized by the Board to test whether an individual has accumulated sufficient academic knowledge with respect to the practice of midwifery to qualify for a nurse-midwife license.
The Board recognizes as midwife examinations the certifying examinations of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), the ACNM Certification Council, Inc. (ACC), and AMCB, or their successor organizations.
Experience Requirement:
No Experience Requirement
Continuing Education:
3 Hours (for initial licensure)
Applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting for initial licensure.
30 Hours (for renewal of license)
As a condition of biennial renewal, a certified nurse midwife must complete 30 hours of continuing education including 2 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting requirements.
Initial Licensing Fee:
$50.00
(includes one collaborative agreement).
Licensure Renewal Fee:
$40.00
Licensure by Endorsement under Section 27 of the Medical Practice Act:
The Board will grant a license without restriction to an applicant who does not meet the standard license requirements if the applicant has achieved cumulative qualifications that are endorsed by the Board as being equivalent to the standard requirements for the license.
Licensure by Act 41:
Act 41 promotes licensure portability for out-of-state professionals seeking to work in Pennsylvania. Act 41 authorizes all licensing boards and commissions within the Commonwealth to endorse licenses issued by other states, territories, and jurisdictions, provided the applicant meets certain criteria. Specifically, an applicant must:
- Hold a current, active license in good standing in another jurisdiction whose licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to or exceed Pennsylvania’s.
- Have no disciplinary action or criminal convictions.
- Have been actively engaged in the licensed practice of the profession for at least two of the last five years.
- Demonstrate competence, as determined by the Board; this may include education, continuing education, or other standards set by the Board.
- Meet any other administrative requirements such as fees.