NARM’s mission is:
- to provide and maintain an evaluative process for multiple routes of midwifery education and training;
- to develop and administer a standardized examination system leading to the credential “Certified Professional Midwife” (CPM)®;
- to identify best practices that reflect the excellence and diversity of the independent midwifery community as the basis for setting the standards for the CPM credential;
- to publish, distribute and/or make available materials that describe the certification and examination process and requirements for application;
- to maintain a registry of those individuals who have received certification and/or passed the examination;
- to manage the process of re-certification;
- and to work in multiple arenas to promote and improve the role of CPMs in the delivery of maternity care to women and their newborns.
Statement about Values and Commitments
In light of the well-documented inequities in perinatal outcomes for underrepresented communities in the U.S., NARM recognizes its professional and ethical responsibility to address these disparities. We believe that the voices from these communities must be present and influential in every aspect of our work – from organizational leadership to policy making.
To that end, the NARM Board has established a set of Values and Commitments to serve as a guiding lens for staff and volunteer leadership, ensuring that equitable, culturally responsive care remains at the heart of our mission.
Values:
Community Midwifery
We honor the sacred role of community midwifery and recognize its vital importance within the broader maternal health ecosystem. We are dedicated to sustaining the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential and the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) as essential pathways for delivering safe, compassionate, and culturally attuned care.
Equity in Midwifery Access and Representation
We believe that all individuals and communities deserve access to midwives who understand their unique needs and lived experiences. We support a credentialing system that reflects the full diversity of midwives serving communities, ensuring equitable representation in all aspects of care.
Reproductive Justice
We uphold reproductive justice as a fundamental human right. We acknowledge the harms experienced by communities made marginal by systems of oppression and are committed to dismantling these inequities. Our work centers on addressing the historical and ongoing impacts of injustice on those who identify with or represent communities that include:
- Indigenous Nations
- Black communities
- People of Color (POC)
- Immigrant communities
- LGBTQIA2S+ communities
- Religiously and spiritually marginalized communities
- ADA
Excellence in Midwifery Care
We are dedicated to continuous professional growth through ongoing education, evidence-based practices, and cultural humility. We prioritize culturally responsive care as a cornerstone of delivering the highest quality midwifery services to the communities we serve.
Commitments:
Socially Just Credentialing System
We are committed to preserving and strengthening the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential by fostering a credentialing organization that upholds social justice, cultural diversity, and academic rigor.
Transparency and Inclusive Governance
We are dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for midwives to engage in decision-making through active member participation, volunteer committees, and board oversight. We prioritize transparent communication, accountability, reciprocity, and intentional efforts to rebuild and maintain trust within the midwifery community.
Innovation and Access
We are committed to developing innovative solutions that expand equitable access to the CPM credential while maintaining the highest standards of excellence in service to the families and communities we care for
Honoring Ancestral Knowledge
We pledge to honor, respect, and protect the ancestral knowledge and practices of communities made marginal by systems of oppression, supporting their preservation and rightful passage across generations.
Tribal Sovereignty
We recognize Indigenous primacy, including the rights of self-determination by sovereign Tribal Nations. As such, we are committed to honoring and supporting all pathways to midwifery and the reclamation of ancestral birthing knowledge for Native peoples.
Collaboration and Inclusivity
We work to cultivate a robust network of supportive resources, partnerships, and community outreach initiatives. Our goal is to foster national collaboration and engagement that affirms all midwifery pathways, regardless of an individual’s decision to pursue the CPM credential.