How to Become a Certified Midwife Without a Nursing Degree

Updated on 10/23/2025

Many people assume that midwives must be nurses, but that isn't always the case. There are direct-entry pathways that let you become a midwife without first earning a nursing degree.

Two of the most common options are becoming a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) or a Certified Midwife (CM). Both roles require completing specialized education, gaining hands-on clinical experience, and passing a certification exam. While Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) do need nursing training, CPMs and CMs provide other routes into this rewarding field.

If you're interested in supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care, this article walks you through the steps to certification. You'll also learn about the different types of midwives, salary expectations, and common questions students have before entering this path.

What Is a Midwife?

A midwife is a trained professional who supports people during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. Unlike obstetricians, who are physicians, midwives focus on providing holistic, patient-centered care. Their role includes monitoring health during pregnancy, guiding labor, catching babies, and offering follow-up support.

Midwives also help with education, nutrition advice, and emotional support for families. While nurses may provide some of these services, midwives typically spend more time with clients and value natural approaches whenever possible. Depending on training, a midwife may attend births at home, in birthing centers, or in hospitals.

Types of Midwives

There are several types of midwives, each with different education and certification requirements. If you're interested in this profession, you can choose from one of the following certifications:

• Certified Professional Midwife: This pathway does not require a nursing degree. CPMs are trained to provide care in out-of-hospital settings, such as homes or birthing centers. Certification is through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM).
• Certified Midwife: To become a CM, you'll need a non-nursing bachelor's degree and graduate-level midwifery training. Certification comes from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
• Certified Nurse-Midwife: CNMs are registered nurses who complete graduate midwifery training. They are included here for comparison, as they represent a nursing-based pathway.

Can You Become a Midwife Without a Nursing Degree?

Yes, you can become a midwife without first becoming a nurse. The main options are the CPM and CM credentials. Both require completing an accredited midwifery program and passing a national certification exam, but they do not require nursing licensure.

CPMs focus on out-of-hospital care, while CMs are trained in graduate-level midwifery programs. By contrast, CNMs must have a nursing degree before entering midwifery. Because licensing laws vary, you'll need to check whether your state recognizes CPMs or CMs before choosing a pathway.

Steps To Become a Certified Midwife Without a Nursing Degree

Becoming a certified midwife involves a combination of education, clinical training, and certification. The exact process depends on whether you choose the CM or CPM pathway.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree in a Health-Related or Any Field

Most midwifery programs require you to have a bachelor's degree before applying. Your undergraduate major can be flexible. Some students choose biology, psychology, or health sciences, while others study unrelated subjects.

Taking courses in anatomy, physiology, and chemistry will give you a solid foundation. Even if your major isn't health-focused, having science credits can make graduate or midwifery-level coursework easier to handle.

Step 2: Choose a Certification Path

Next, you'll decide which certification pathway fits your goals. CMs are recognized by the AMCB and must complete graduate-level training.

CPMs are certified through the NARM and often train in out-of-hospital birth environments. Both credentials prepare you for midwifery practice, but state recognition differs, so it's important to research where you want to practice.

Step 3: Complete an Accredited Midwifery Education Program

CM candidates typically attend programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), which are graduate-level and offered at universities. CPM candidates usually complete programs accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC), which may include classroom learning and apprenticeship-based models.

Both pathways focus on anatomy, prenatal care, labor management, and postpartum support. Your choice will depend on your desired work environment and the credential you're pursuing.

Step 4: Fulfill Clinical Training Requirements

No matter which path you choose, you'll need hands-on experience. Clinical training includes assisting with and later leading prenatal visits, births, and postpartum checkups under the supervision of a preceptor.

For CPMs, apprenticeship models often provide extensive out-of-hospital birth experience. CMs typically gain their clinical hours through university-affiliated hospitals or birth centers.

Step 5: Pass the National Certification Exam

After finishing your education and clinical training, you'll sit for a national exam. CM candidates take the exam administered by the AMCB. CPM candidates take the test from the NARM. Exams cover prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, and professional responsibilities.

Step 6: Apply for State Licensure and Begin Practice

Finally, you'll need to apply for licensure in your state. While CNMs are licensed in all 50 states, recognition of CMs and CPMs varies. Some states fully license them, while others have restrictions on where and how they can practice.

Before enrolling in a program, check your state's laws so you know your career options after certification. Once licensed, you'll be able to begin practicing and supporting families.

Midwife Salary and Job Outlook

According to the BLS, nurse midwives earn a median salary of about $105,030. While CPMs and CMs may earn less, particularly if they work in birth centers or home birth practices, salaries can still be strong depending on location and demand.

Job growth in midwifery is expected to continue as more families seek personalized, holistic care and alternatives to hospital births. The demand for maternal health services, combined with an increasing interest in natural birth options, supports steady opportunities for midwives.

Pros and Cons of Becoming a Midwife Without a Nursing Degree

There are benefits and challenges to pursuing midwifery without a nursing degree. On the positive side, direct-entry pathways like CPM and CM let you enter the field without first becoming a nurse, saving time and money. You can also focus on patient-centered, holistic care in out-of-hospital or birth center settings.

However, there are limitations. CPMs and CMs are not recognized in every state, which can restrict your career mobility. Salaries may also be lower than those of Certified Nurse-Midwives, and you may have fewer privileges in hospital environments. Weighing these pros and cons carefully will help you decide if this pathway is right for you.

FAQs About Becoming a Midwife Without a Nursing Degree

Students often want to know how long the process takes, how certification works, and how pay compares to nurse-midwives. Here are answers to common questions.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Certified Midwife Without a Nursing Degree?

It typically takes three to five years to become certified. This includes time to earn a bachelor's degree (if you don't already have one) plus midwifery training and clinical requirements. The exact timeline depends on whether you pursue the CM or CPM pathway, as some programs are graduate-level while others follow an apprenticeship model.

Can You Become a Midwife With Just a Certificate?

No, certification as a midwife requires more than a short certificate program. You must complete formal midwifery education through an accredited program and pass a national certification exam. While certificate courses may cover related skills, they are not enough to qualify you for licensure or independent practice as a CPM or CM.

Is a Certified Midwife Recognized in All States?

Recognition of CMs and CPMs varies. Some states fully license them and allow independent practice, while others restrict their roles or do not legally recognize them at all. Before you enroll in a program, check your state's licensing requirements so you understand your options for practicing after certification.

What Is the Difference Between a Midwife and a Doula?

Midwives provide medical care, including prenatal monitoring, assistance during birth, and postpartum support. They are trained professionals who can conduct deliveries and manage complications.

Doulas, on the other hand, do not provide medical care. Their role is focused on emotional, physical, and educational support for families before, during, and after birth.

Do Midwives Without Nursing Degrees Earn Less Than Nurse-Midwives?

Yes, in many cases. CNMs usually earn higher salaries because they can practice in more settings, including hospitals, and have a broader scope of practice.

CPMs and CMs often earn less, especially in out-of-hospital or birth center environments. Still, pay can vary based on demand, experience, and location.

Explore Midwifery Programs

Explore accredited CPM and CM programs on Learn.org to find flexible educational pathways. These programs can prepare you for certification and licensure so you can start your career in midwifery.