Entry Level Applicants

The Certified Professional Midwife was developed to provide competency-based certification for midwives who are primarily apprentice-trained in out of hospital birth. The CPM credential allows multiple routes of entry to the profession in order to encourage innovation in education, adaptability to evolving best practices of the profession, diversity in the pool of credentialed midwives and broad accessibility to the profession.The competency-based model for certification assures well-educated, skilled and competent providers.

Aspiring Midwives can:

• Apprentice with a qualified midwife, completing an Entry-Level Portfolio Evaluation Process (PEP).
• Attend a midwifery program or school.
• If the school is accredited by MEAC, graduation qualifies you for the NARM written exam. (See Equivalency Applicant page for more information)
• If the school or program is not MEAC accredited, you must complete the Entry-Level Portfolio Evaluation Program.

NARM’s Portfolio Evaluation Process (PEP) is an educational evaluation process that includes verification of knowledge and skills by qualified preceptors. Completion of this process qualifies applicants to sit for the NARM skills and written examinations.

Candidates applying for certification through NARM’s Portfolio Evaluation Process (PEP) will undergo a 2-phase process:

PHASE 1: Verification of Experience and Skills.

• Fulfill the General Education Requirements (described in of the Candidate Information Booklet).
• Document the fulfillment of these requirements on the appropriate NARM application forms.
• Provide verification from the preceptor(s) that you have achieved proficiency on each area listed on the Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Essential for Competent Practice Verification Form.
• Provide an affidavit from the preceptor(s) asserting that you have developed and utilize:
  • Practice guidelines;
  • An informed consent document;
  • An emergency care form.
• Provide three professional letters of reference.
• Pass the NARM Skills Assessment given by a NARM Qualified Evaluator (QE) or submit completed Second Verification of Skills form.

Upon fulfillment of the above requirements you will be sent a Letter of Completion of NARM’s Portfolio Evaluation Process, which will qualify you to sit for the NARM Written Exam.

PHASE 2: Application for Certification Written Examination.

• Submit the CPM Application Form (400) and your Letter of Completion of NARM’s PEP Program.

Upon approval of your application materials, you will be scheduled for the NARM Written Examination.
After you pass the NARM Written Examination, you will receive your Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) Certificate.

Recertification is required every three years.