CPMs need licensure in NYS!
Planned home births and birth center births with midwife-led care
result in low rates of interventions among low-risk women,
with optimal health outcomes for mothers and babies.
result in low rates of interventions among low-risk women,
with optimal health outcomes for mothers and babies.
What is the Certified Professional Midwife Licensing Bill?
Assembly Bill A1125
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A1125 & S5542 seek to establish a route to licensure for Certified Professional Midwives (CPM's), whose scope of practice is defined as the management of normal pregnancies, childbirth, postpartum, and newborn care in the home, birth center, or community setting. CPM care also includes primary preventive gynecologic care of essentially healthy individuals. The Act would set the requirements for education, license, and practice of CPMs.
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What is Community Midwifery?
Midwives have played a vital role in the health and wellbeing of women, birthing people, and babies for centuries. Midwives approach normal pregnancy and childbearing as natural, physiologic processes rather than as medical issues in need of intervention, and they are well-trained in identifying any complications that could result in a different level of care being required. National evidence shows that when midwives are integrated into a state’s health care system, outcomes improve for birthing people and babies. This includes fewer cesarean deliveries; more vaginal births, including after cesareans; higher breastfeeding rates; and higher satisfaction with their care.
Nationally Recognized. Professionally Trained. Community-Based.
Certified Professional Midwives – The Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential is available through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). The CPM credential is the only midwifery credential that requires the holder to demonstrate knowledge and have experience in providing midwifery services in out-of-hospital settings. Most CPMs work in their clients’ homes and in private birthing centers, providing care to women throughout their childbearing cycle.
To attain licensure under the proposed Act, applicants must graduate from a midwifery education program accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC). All MEAC-accredited programs meet or exceed the educational requirements for direct-entry midwifery education set out by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM).
As of 2024, 38 states have legal recognition for CPMs, with 37 offering licensure based on either CPM certification alone or on graduation from a MEAC-accredited educational program and CPM certification.
To learn more visit:
www.meacschools.org
www.nacpm.org
www.narm.org
To attain licensure under the proposed Act, applicants must graduate from a midwifery education program accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC). All MEAC-accredited programs meet or exceed the educational requirements for direct-entry midwifery education set out by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM).
As of 2024, 38 states have legal recognition for CPMs, with 37 offering licensure based on either CPM certification alone or on graduation from a MEAC-accredited educational program and CPM certification.
To learn more visit:
www.meacschools.org
www.nacpm.org
www.narm.org
38 States Recognize CPMs—Why Not New York?
New York currently licenses certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives, both of which involve extensive education and training in hospital settings. There is a third party of certification, however, that 38 other states recognize. New York is one of only 12 states that does not. The certified professional midwife (CPM) specializes in community birth, including in homes and birth centers. These practitioners, whom this bill would license as community midwives, are an integral part of the women’s health and birth care continuum where they are allowed to practice. CPMs are able to offer a level of culturally sensitive care and comfort that birthing people often struggle to find in the hospital birth system.
In the Face of a Maternal Health Crisis, New York Must Expand Midwifery Care
New York was already in a maternal mortality and severe morbidity crisis, and the covid-19 pandemic only exacerbated the pre-existing racial inequities in our health systems. More and more birthing people are looking for alternatives to strictly medical model of pregnancy and childbirth and they deserve to have access to the quality care they are looking for.
Licensing community midwives is an important step in addressing birth equity, birth justice, and an individual’s right to choose the most appropriate care.
Licensing community midwives is an important step in addressing birth equity, birth justice, and an individual’s right to choose the most appropriate care.
Partnerships
Mobilize Maternal Health Coalition (MMHC)We are proud partners in the Mobilize Maternal Health Coalition, a statewide initiative uniting birth workers, advocates, and organizations to transform maternal health in New York. Through this coalition, we collaborate to advance birth equity, justice, and midwifery licensure across the state.
Learn more at mobilizematernalhealth.com |
NACPM State/Territory PartnerNY CPM, Inc. is a State/Territory Partner of the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM). This partnership is part of NACPM’s initiative to work with existing midwifery organizations that have their own structure—such as bylaws, tax-exempt status, or historical barriers to becoming a Chapter.
As a Partner, we collaborate on national strategies, advocacy, and equity-focused initiatives while maintaining our unique organizational identity here in New York. Learn more at www.nacpm.org |