The Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who provides prenatal, delivery, and postpartum primary care to normally healthy women during their reproductive years. The CNM is focused on the wellness of the mother and child before, during, and after childbirth. The Certified Nurse Midwife also utilizes Evidence-Based Practice solutions for positive patient outcomes.
The Certified Nurse Midwife performs most of the same functions as obstetricians, including:
- Physical Exams – Health Assessments of patients,
- Prescriptions – Medications, Medical Devices, Treatments, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Measures,
- Tracking of Fetal Development – Prenatal Exams, Ultrasounds, Amniotic Fluid and Blood Tests,
- Wellness Counseling – Healthy diet and exercise programs,
- Referral of Patients to Specialists – For Patients with Complex Medical Histories or Diseases,
- Care during Childbirth – Typically accounts for less than 10% of a CNM‘s time, and
- Postpartum Care – Including breastfeeding instruction, medical care, and coping strategies.
However, compared to obstetricians, CNMs provide a more holistic and personalized care approach for expecting mothers during their pregnancies. CNMs are generally more open to various prenatal care and childbirth options.
In circumstances of reproductive health issues or Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD), the Certified Nurse Midwife may also provide care for the partner of their female patient.
Practice Settings
The Certified Nurse Midwife provides care in a wide range of settings, including:
- General Hospitals,
- Critical Access Hospitals ,
- Private Practice Medical Clinics,
- Birthing Centers,
- Health Departments, and
- Private Homes.
This chart displays the top five Certified Nurse Midwife practice settings reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics .
Scope of Practice
- Practice Autonomy – the degree to which a CNM may practice without physician supervision or oversight, and
- Prescriptive Authority – the ability to issue prescriptions or order treatments.
Scope of Practice varies by state, depending on state legislative and regulatory rules. Visit the Color Coded Map and Sortable List to view how the Scope of Practice varies by state. For more detailed information, visit the Board of Nursing for the state of interest. However, be aware that individual employers may impose Scope of Practice rules for a CNM that may be more restrictive than the state permits.
Salary
The adjoining chart of salary data from the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows a national Median Annual Salary for a Nurse Midwife at $128,790 in 2024. This salary is at the 50th percentile, increasing from $105,030 in 2019 to $128,790 in 2024. The 2024 salary is twice the national Median Annual Salary of $67,920 for all wage earners and thirty percent times higher than Registered Nurses at $98,430.
At the extremes, 10% of Nurse Midwife salaries lie below $74,670 and above $177,040. Salaries vary by location, practice setting, employer, and experience.
The adjacent chart illustrates Annual Mean (Average) Salary trends for the five highest-paying practice settings for CNMs between 2019 and 2024.
Outpatient Care Centers have emerged as the leading practice setting during the past several years. Three practice settings, General Medical/Surgical Hospitals, Physician Offices, and academic positions, have shown the most consistent growth since 2019. The Local Government (excluding schools and hospitals) practice setting led the group until 2022, and fell into fourth place in 2024.
For additional information, use these four different representations of Salary and Employment data as reported by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education
The ability to practice as a Certified Nurse Midwife requires a graduate-level nursing education. There are several degrees or certificate types:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Master of Science, Nursing Major (MS-NM), or Master of Nursing (MN) – The master’s degree has been the most commonly offered degree type and is the minimum required for Certified Nurse Midwife education. These degree programs are offered widely by public and private schools. The master’s degree in nursing focuses on advanced nursing theory and practice of care. Read more...
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – In addition to studying advanced nursing theory and care practice, the DNP emphasizes using research results to improve the CNM‘s nursing practice. DNP programs also emphasize the application of Evidence-Based Practice to improve the quality of patient care. Read more...
- Post-Master's or Post-Doctoral Certificate – Eligibility is limited to individuals who already hold a graduate-level nursing degree. For example, someone holding an MSN as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) would be eligible to enroll in a Certified Nurse Midwife certificate program. Read more...
Prospective students should verify that the Certified Nurse Midwife program they are considering is accredited. Proper accreditation ensures that graduates are eligible to sit for the certification exams required before becoming licensed to practice.
Use the Certified Nurse Midwife Search Tool to identify programs for this and other degree combinations from our survey of more than 710 schools.
Accelerated Degree Programs
Accelerated Degree Programs generally cost less and can be completed more quickly than enrolling in consecutive BSN and MSN or doctoral programs. Use the Accelerated Degree Program Search Tool to identify programs for this and other degree combinations from our survey of more than 710 schools.
Certificate Programs
Most schools that offer a Certified Nurse Midwife master’s or doctoral degree also offer a Post-Master's Certificate (PMC) Program. These programs are open to individuals who already hold a master’s or doctoral degree in another nursing specialty. For example, a Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP) may wish to obtain a certificate enabling practice as a CNM. These Certificate Programs should not be confused with certifications offered by Certification Boards or Professional Associations.
Dual Programs
Some schools offer Certified Nurse Midwife studies in Dual Degree and Dual Practice Programs. These programs save the student time and expense by eliminating duplicate coursework.
Dual Degree Programs
Dual Degree Programs award two degrees in separate but related areas of study. Students enrich their nursing education with study in another academic department. These programs award a Certified Nurse Midwife degree with an additional non-nursing degree, such as:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Certified Nurse Midwife, paired with a:
- Master of Arts in Bioethics (MAB).
Graduates of Dual Degree Programs may apply for national certification exams and become licensed as required.
Use the Dual Degree Program Search Tool to locate this degree combination from our survey of more than 710 schools.
Dual Practice Programs
Some schools offer Certified Nurse Midwife study in a Dual Practice Program. These programs award a single degree that combines the CNM with an additional clinical practice role. Education in Dual Practice roles enables graduates to work in an expanded range of practice settings and patient populations. This versatility provides the graduate with more career flexibility and growth opportunities.
Some CNM Dual Practice Programs offer these additional practice roles:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP),
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP), or
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP).
Graduates of Dual Practice Programs may apply for national certification exams and become licensed in both practice areas.
Use the Dual Practice Program Search Tool to locate programs for this and other degree combinations from our survey of more than 710 schools.
Tandem Degree Programs
Some Tandem Degree Programs award two degrees in the course of Certified Nurse Midwife study. These programs save the student time and expense by eliminating duplicate coursework. Some schools offer CNM Tandem Degree combinations, such as:
- Bachelor of Science, Nursing Major (BS-N), followed by a:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), followed by a:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), followed by a:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), followed by a:
Graduates from Tandem Degree Programs are eligible to sit for the appropriate national certification exams and become licensed as required.
Use this Tandem Degree Program Search Tool to locate Tandem Degree Programs from our survey of more than 710 schools.
Top 10 Degree and Certificate Offerings
This table displays a count of the top Certified Nurse Midwife degrees and certificates offered by more than 710 graduate nursing programs. This count includes degrees awarded singly, as the higher degree in a Tandem Degree Program, or as part of Dual Practice and Dual Degree Program offerings.
Certification
Recipients of a Nurse Midwife degree or post-graduate certificate are eligible to sit for the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) exam. The CNM exam is administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) . Individuals who pass the exam receive the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) credential. This certification is a prerequisite for a state license to practice as a CNM.
Furthermore, certifications are available for a Certified Nurse Midwife to develop expertise in related areas of nursing and healthcare. Review this site’s survey of more than 300 nursing and healthcare certifications.
License to Practice
The Board of Nursing for each state issues licenses to practice as a Certified Nurse Midwife. The CNM scope of practice, including Practice Autonomy and Prescriptive Authority, varies by state.
States participating in the APRN Compact and Nurse Licensure Compact have multistate APRN and RN license agreements. These Compacts ease the transfer of CNM licenses and the ability to practice among participating states. Participation in these Compacts varies by state. Check with your state’s Board of Nursing for more detailed information.
Professional Associations
The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) is the primary professional association for Certified Nurse Midwives. ACNM members include Certified Nurse Midwives, Certified Midwives, and students enrolled in midwifery education. The ACNM has regional affiliate chapters covering all 50 states.
Midwives may be interested in other associations that focus on specific areas of healthcare specialization, such as psychiatry/mental health, women’s health, or pediatrics. Associations are also formed at the state and local levels, enabling their members to organize with their neighboring peers to address more localized issues. These associations may be chapters of national or international associations or organized independently.
This site includes an extensive survey of more than 1,800 international, national, regional, state, and local nursing and related healthcare professional associations. These associations provide professional development resources and representation in numerous nursing and affiliated healthcare specialties.