Search
Have a Certemy account? Click here to log in.
Search

Informed Disclosure and Continuity of Care Survey

NARM Informed Disclosure for Midwifery Care Update

NARM requires the Certified Professional Midwife to have written statements of Informed Disclosure for Midwifery Care on file for each client. In group practices, the Informed Disclosure should describe the different provider types the client will see during their care. Information relating to the individual provider’s education, training, and experience in midwifery should be included in the Informed Disclosure Document, or the document should state where the client can find this information on the practice’s website.

When midwives work in group practices, any and all midwives who participate in care must be listed in the Informed Disclosure.

The updated requirements for Informed Disclosure for Midwifery Care is available here.

NARM Registered Preceptor Policy Survey

Currently, NARM Registered Preceptors are required to have a minimum of ten Continuity of Care births post credentialling. It has come to our attention that CPMs who work in group midwifery practices or birth centers may not be able to meet this requirement.

In recognition of the changes in midwifery practice, NARM proposes reducing barriers for preceptor registration by eliminating the Continuity of Care requirement for NARM Registered Preceptors beyond entry-level CPM requirements. All other requirements would still need to be met. This proposed policy change would not affect student requirements.

Continuity of Care: a minimum of five prenatals spanning at least two trimesters, the birth, including the placenta, the newborn exam, and at least two postpartum visits. Transports are not accepted for Continuity of Care births.

NARM acknowledges this proposed change in policy has the benefit of increasing opportunities for CPMs to serve as preceptors and students’ ability to get clinical training, but some CPMs may have concerns. NARM requests your input!

Please complete this survey to weigh in on this proposed policy change. This survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete. Survey closes April 30, 2024.

Take Survey

PEP Phase 3 and Phase 4 are Merging!

Starting January 1, 2025, PEP Phase 4 will be eliminated. All 25 of the Primary Under Supervision births required to complete the PEP application will need to be submitted with Phase 3 starting in 2025.

Phase 4 was created during a time when the NARM Examination was only offered three times each year. With the introduction of year-round computer-based testing, there is no longer a need to offer testing prior to completion of all clinical experiences. The merging of Phases 3 and 4 will streamline the workflow for the NARM Applications Department and expedite the process for applicants.

Ask NARM: How do I redeem the recertification credit from completion of the Job Analysis?

  1. Complete the recertification application in the Certemy portal, but do not submit payment.
  2. Send an email to support@narm.org requesting application of $50 credit to recertification fees with subject line “Job Analysis Participation”. Please attach a copy of your confirmation of completion of the job analysis.
  3. You will receive an adjusted invoice via email with payment instructions.
Thank you for participating in the NARM Job Analysis!

Upcoming Events—

Join The MANA Legacy Memorial Celebration!

The Midwives Alliance of North America served to unite midwives for many years. As its presence and purpose in the ever changing midwifery community comes to a close, some midwives have organized a virtual event to mark the end of an era.

Join midwives from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada on Sunday, April 7, 2024 1pm-5pm EDT. Celebrate, Reminisce, and Reconnect online and in spirit with sister midwives from across the miles and throughout the years.

Register Here
The organizers request that you please register only once, as attendance is limited. This event will be recorded for future viewing. For more information email: Midwivesonajourney@gmail.com

Join The Virtual International Day of the Midwife Conference!

The Virtual International Day of the Midwife (VIDM) is an annual online FREE conference which celebrates the International Day of the Midwife. It is held on or around May 5th each year to be as close to the International Day of the Midwife as possible.

VIDM runs for 24 hours and covers a wide range of subjects with speakers from around the globe. It uses online conferencing software to bring together people who have an interest in childbirth matters – midwives, students, and consumers — all completely free.

The conference was first held in 2009 and was organized by a team of two then working at Otago Polytechnic in New Zealand. By 2020, the organizing committee comprised midwives, midwifery academics, and online education professionals from seven countries across four continents.

Sustainable Midwifery : Caring for Tomorrow’s World is the VIDM 2024 theme.

Sustainable midwifery practices prioritize the well-being of both mother and child while minimizing environmental impact, ensuring a healthier future for generations to come. By caring for the whole person, we reaffirm their right to choose if and when to become pregnant or to continue a pregnancy. By integrating eco-friendly approaches and ethical care, sustainable midwifery embodies a commitment to nurturing not only new life but also the planet we share.

The ancient profession of midwifery must remain sustainable in the contemporary world through innovative practices in education, research, and health policy.

Register Here

eBlast emailed April 5, 2024

Inactive Policy Update & 2022 Exam Statistics for Midwives and Nurses

Midwifery Certification Exam Statistics

Every year candidates prepare for certification exams after years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. In every industry, some candidates will not pass despite their best efforts, quality of training and lengthy educational preparation. Fortunately, most candidates will pass and go on to pursue their desired career.

Recently, we looked at the NARM Examination statistics for 2022 and, as a matter of curiosity, looked at how we compare to NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) for nurses and AMCB (The American Midwifery Certification Board) for CMs and CNMs. These statistics represent 2022 exam data.

2022 Midwife and Nurse Exam Data

The total exam attempts by each organization are as follows:

NARM 2022:  288 Total Exam Attempts

NCLEX 2022:  321,556 Total Exam Attempts

AMCB 2022:  992 Total Exam Attempts

Note: exam attempts represents the number of discrete exams administered, and it may not correlate to the number of individuals who tested in 2022 (i.e. if a candidate took an exam multiple times in the same calendar year, they will be represented each time they tested in this data set).

Inactive Status Policy Update

NARM recognizes that CPMs may need to take a leave of absence from midwifery for a variety of reasons. We have a mechanism to support those CPMs through the Inactive status process. Recently, we clarified the policy listed on the website so CPMs can understand the benefits, limitations, and fees involved. Read the full policy here.

Some Reminders . . .

NRP Advanced Requirement

With the NRP 8th edition update in 2021, the AAP has created two course pathways for providers (see details highlighted below). NARM acknowledges that some of the advanced skills such as IO administration of newborn medications and Umbilical Vein Catheterization are not essential for CPMs who attend community based births, however we recognize that completion of the NRP Advanced course is important to have a basic understanding of the full AAP NRP algorithm.

  • NRP Advanced is required effective March 1, 2023 for certification or recertification.

NARM will continue to accept unexpired NRP Essentials (plus BLS for Health Care Providers) as meeting the NRP Requirement for certification and recertification applications after March 1, 2023. However, NARM encourages taking NRP Advanced, if available prior to March 1, 2023.

eBlast emailed June 5, 2023

On the Horizon at NARM, Summer 2022

NRP Survey

Every year NARM gets emails and phone calls from midwives who describe challenges in getting NRP and CPR training in their communities. In recent years, due to COVID-related closures, those emails and calls have increased.

Due to the current difficulty finding in-person NRP Instructor-led courses, NARM will accept the verification of passing the NRP Essentials (Lessons 1-4) exam without the hands-on class until January 1, 2023.

Later this year, NARM will be sending out a brief survey to poll CPMs about their ability to take NRP and CPR in their communities. We want to get a better understanding from the entire CPM community what barriers to NRP and CPR courses exist and which communities are most impacted. Please watch your email inboxes for the survey this Fall!

Preceptor/Student Relationship Tools

NARM has been working on tools for improving the relationships between Preceptors and Students and continues to strive for healthy and ethical midwifery training.

Preceptor/Student Accountability Process

As you may know, NARM has an Accountability process for clients to file complaints about CPMs, but in recent years we have also received complaints regarding the Preceptor/Student relationships. Although we have recognized the challenges with those relationships, we have not had a mechanism to address the issues in the same way that we have had with Client/CPM relationship. We are in the process of developing that mechanism based upon the current Accountability process to create a forum where grievances can be voiced.

NARM is looking for volunteers for the Preceptor/Student Accountability Committee!

We need three experienced preceptors and one Student Advocate for the new Preceptor/Student Accountability Committee. The Student Advocate should be a new CPM who has recently been certified through the PEP process.

Please send your letter of interest to committees@narm.org and put “Preceptor/Student Accountability Committee” in the subject line.

NARM’s New Renewal Deadline

In recent years, expiration dates of Certifications have been the CPM’s birth date. However, NARM has provided a grace period from the actual birth date through the end of the birth month.

With integration of the Certemy portal, this grace period is being phased out. Effective June 1, 2022, expiration dates will now be the actual date listed for Certification or Preceptor Registration.

NARM’s New Online Application Program

Have you registered with Certemy? Certemy is the new online program to process Certification, Recertification, and Preceptor applications. In December 2020, NARM sent an email with information on how to log in to the Certemy system. If you haven’t logged in or need assistance, please email dan@narm.org.

eBlast emailed July 5, 2022

NARM News & Updates, January 2022

Our New (and much improved) Website!

NARM is pleased to announce a brand new website! For many months in 2021, several board members along with our webmistress, Tina, worked to update the content, appearance and overall functionality of the NARM website.

Every year thousands of CPMs, midwifery students, and others search our site for resources and information. We are glad to be able to offer an updated browsing experience that will hopefully enable our midwives to be able to locate the information they need in a more intuitive and timely way! The essential content remains, but it is in a more user friendly interface.

Check it out!

Farewell to Public Board Member, Lisa Clark

We want to express our gratitude to outgoing Public Board member, Lisa Clark. Lisa served on the NARM board from 2016 – 2021. We have appreciated her contribution to NARM’s work, always ensuring the consumer perspective was in focus.

Lisa holds a BSEd from Texas A&M University. Her love of history encouraged her to learn more about the history of midwifery and childbirth in the United States. She began advocating for increased maternity care options in Alabama in 1996 shortly after relocating from Texas. In 2002, Alabama home birth families learned that midwives could not legally attend home births. In 2004, Lisa cofounded the Alabama Birth Coalition (ABC); she has been honored to serve on the ABC board with many brilliant women through the years in this effort.

We wish her all the best and know that wherever she lands next, she will serve with her whole heart to ensure that those who need advocacy are heard.

Meet New Public Board Member, Jacqueline K. Hammack, JD

Jacqueline is a lawyer and doula working to advance birth justice. By bridging her legal knowledge with her passion for birth, Jacqueline brings a unique perspective to the problems that plague the perinatal healthcare system in the United States. Grounded in a reproductive justice framework, Jacqueline’s work supports and promotes the human rights of pregnant, birthing, and lactating individuals.

In addition to serving as the Public Member on the NARM board, Jacqueline serves on the board of the Birth Rights Bar Association, the Mississippi Center for Birth and Breastfeeding Equity, and Better Birth Mississippi. She was a Class 2 fellow in the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network with the Center for Creative Leadership®, an inaugural fellow of the Mississippi Women’s Policy Institute, and a member of The Mississippi Bar’s Leadership Forum Class of 2020.

Jacqueline is a Madriella trained doula and a graduate of Tulane University Law School, Jackson State University, and Holmes Community College. She lives on Choctaw land in South Mississippi with her two children, spouse of two decades, and Silent Generation mother-in-law.

Congratulations to Illinois!

We are pleased to announce that Illinois became the 37th state to pass legislation to regulate CPMs in December 2021!

This is a win not only for the midwives ability to practice, but more importantly for families’ access to midwifery care. Several states have been working on CPM legislation, and we hope to be able to announce many more this year!

If you are curious when your state passed legislation, go to The Big Push for Midwives.

Have you registered with Certemy?

Certemy is the new online portal to process Certification, Recertification, and Preceptor applications. In December 2020, NARM sent an email with information on how to log in to the Certemy portal. If you no longer have the link or you need assistance, please email info@narm.org.

Are you still working on a paper application?

Some midwives still have paper applications in process and are unable to use Certemy at this time. We understand and will still accept paper applications! However, the process for submitting credit card payment with paper applications has changed.

If you are paying by credit card, please contact billing@narm.org to get link(s) for your credit card payments. To pay by money order or cashier’s check, please use the address below:

NARM Applications
PO Box 420
Summertown, TN 38483

If you are using Certemy for your application process, the credit card payments are integrated into the portal! (This is one of the many benefits of Certemy!) Please contact us if you have questions.

eBlast emailed January 25, 2022

NARM Policy & Procedure Updates, August 2021

Starting September 1, 2021

NARM’s New Testing Company!

The NARM examination will be administered by a new testing company starting September 1, 2021. NARM is working to make this transition as seamless as possible to ensure there are no interruptions in testing or credentialing.

Starting January 1, 2022

Cultural Awareness Policy

Currently, NARM requires all initial Certifications to include a course on Cultural Awareness. As of January 1, 2022, all Recertification and Preceptor applications will also need to include a workshop, module, or course on Cultural Awareness every three years as part of the application for Recertification. A newly expanded list of Cultural Awareness course is available at NARM.org.

Category 2 CEU Policy

As of January 1, 2022, the maximum number of CEUs accepted in Category 2 (unaccredited hours) will revert back to 10. Category 2 CEUs are classes or coursework in the field of midwifery, women’s health, or the evaluation and care of the newborn without accredited CEUs. For more information go to NARM.org.

Have you registered with Certemy?

Certemy is the new online portal to process Certification, Recertification, and Preceptor applications. In December 2020, NARM sent an email with information on how to log in to the Certemy portal. If you no longer have the link or you need assistance, please email info@narm.org.

REMINDER: All COVID Extensions Expired June 1, 2021

eBlast emailed August 30, 2021

NARM NRP Policy Update May 2021

NRP Policy Updates

As of June 1, 2021, all initial Certification and Recertification applications will need to meet NARM’s pre-COVID NRP and CPR requirement of in-person skill evaluation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) will be releasing the 8th edition NRP program in June. Due to these changes NARM has updated the policy for NRP and CPR to go along with these new requirements. For those submitting a CPM application or recertification form after June 1, 2021, please read the updated policy update below.

While some instructors will continue to teach the 7th edition until January 1, 2022, others will switch to the 8th edition instruction as early as June 2021. Applicants will need to confirm which edition the instructor is using.

After January 1, 2022 only the 8th edition classes will be available, but NARM will continue to accept the 7th edition NRP card as long as it is still valid.

Highlights of 8th Edition AAP NRP:

There are two new levels of NRP provider learning:

Read complete details of 8th edition NRP program here.

NEW NARM NRP Requirement:

To fulfill the NARM NRP requirement, CPMs/students may either complete NRP Advanced (Lessons 1-11) or NRP Essentials (Lessons 1-4)

If you choose the NRP Essentials (Lessons 1-4):

Guidelines for requirements are available here.

NARM’s New Online Application Program

Have you registered with Certemy? Certemy is the new online program to process Certification, Recertification, and Preceptor applications. In December 2020, NARM sent an email with information on how to log in to the Certemy system. If you haven’t logged in or need assistance, please email dan@narm.org.

eBlast emailed May 12, 2021

Certemy and NARM Board Update

The New Online System Update

NARM is pleased to report that Certemy, the new online program to process applications is going well! There are still some bugs to be worked out, but the tech people are working hard to resolve them! Currently, a few PEP applications are being beta tested, and we hope that we will be able to offer Certemy to all PEP applicants by the end of this year! As of March 15, 2021, the NARM Applications department has processed:
  • 131 Recertifications
  • 120 Preceptor Renewals
  • 12 New Preceptor Applications
Thank you to the over 700 CPMs who have registered with Certemy! We encourage all CPMs to register with Certemy even if you don’t need to renew until next year. In December 2020, NARM sent an email with information on how to log in to the Certemy system. If you can’t find it, or need assistance logging in, please email dan@narm.org.

Meet New Board Member, Adrian Feldhusen!

Adrian is a Certified Professional Midwife and New Hampshire Certified Midwife who lives in Southern New Hampshire with her husband, three children, and her grandbaby. Adrian has been involved with birthing families since 1992 as a midwife, doula, childbirth educator, and breastfeeding counselor.

She is the founder and owner of The Birth Cottage of Milford and Salem, two free standing birth centers serving a wide geographical area in both NH and MA. During her studies for a BS in Community and Human Services with a Concentration in Maternal and Perinatal Health through the State University of New York, her work was featured in a variety of publications.

Adrian was Chair of the NH Midwifery Council, the state’s licensing and regulatory board, for almost 10 years. She has been instrumental in crafting and lobbying for legislation regarding mandated insurance reimbursement for midwifery care in NH to assure access across all socioeconomic and demographic groups. It is her life goal to make midwifery and birth center care available to all families.

Adrian also served on the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) as a board member for six years and is currently a board member of the AABC Foundation, raising funds to expand birth center development nationwide. In her spare time, she actively works as a firefighter, a ski patroller, and as an instructor for EMS. Knitting and maple syrup making are her favorite pastimes.

eBlast emailed March 31, 2021

NARM Policy Updates, March 2021

Virtual Clinical Experiences – Extended

NARM will allow two virtual clinicals to apply to the Continuity of Care clinical requirements for CPM candidates and NARM Preceptor registrants for each Continuity of Care Client: one prenatal in the final trimester and one postpartum done anytime between 24 hours and six weeks post birth.

NARM has extended this allowance to be in place for clinicals which take place between March 1, 2020 and June 1, 2021.

Guidelines for documentation are available here.

CPR and NRP Policy – Extended

As of June 1, 2021, all initial Certification and Recertification applications will need to meet NARM’s pre-COVID NRP and CPR requirements. Many classes have pivoted to a hybrid of online/virtual section plus in-person skills testing to meet COVID-19 guidelines.

These hybrid courses will meet the NARM requirements in addition to traditional fully in-person courses available in many locations.

Guidelines for requirements are available here.

Cultural Awareness Policy – Updated

NARM has updated its Cultural Awareness policy. Currently, NARM requires all initial Certifications to include a course on Cultural Awareness.

As of January 1, 2022, all Recertification and Preceptor applications will also need to include a workshop, module, or course on Cultural Awareness every three years as part of the application for Recertification.

A newly expanded list of Cultural Awareness courses is available here.

NARM’s New Online Application Program

Have you registered with Certemy? Certemy is the new online program to process Certification, Recertification, and Preceptor applications. In December 2020, NARM sent an email with information on how to log in to the Certemy system. If you haven’t logged in or need assistance, please email dan@narm.org.

eBlast emailed March 5, 2021

Using Certemy for all your Certification, Recertification, and Preceptor Applications!

Online access is now available for all active, inactive and retired CPMs, preceptors, and current applicants-in-process (PEP coming later). All these people were sent an email on December 22 with instructions on how to log into their new Certemy account. If you fall within this group and did not receive this email, please contact dan@narm.org, and he will assist you with your log-in information.

Important notes

What will the new system let you do?

Services that are currently available within the platform:

WAIT, what about initial CPM Applications? PEP?

PEP is not currently available, but is under construction.  Keep an eye on your email inbox for further announcements!

eBlast emailed December 22, 2020

New Online System for CPM Renewals will be available next week!

Remember the new online certification system we emailed you about a few days ago? It will be live and available for you to use next week.

How can I get access to the new system? What are the next steps?

  1. Look for an email from info@narm.org (our usual eBlast email) in the next 3 days with your login instructions. This email will explain how you can log into your new account and access any help you need to get started.
  2. Once you start a renewal, expect to receive email alerts from support@narm.certemy.com. These automated alerts will keep you updated on your progress and make sure you don’t forget anything.

What will the new system let you do?

eBlast emailed December 18, 2020

Contact

Frequent pages

Key pdf file

Contact

Frequent pages

Key pdf file