What Can You Do With a Nurse Midwifery Graduate Certificate in 2025?

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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What can you do with a nurse midwifery graduate certificate in 2025?

A nurse midwifery graduate certificate equips registered nurses with the specialized education needed to sit for national certification exams and step into advanced clinical roles. Once certified, you can provide full-scope midwifery care—covering pregnancy, birth, postpartum, gynecologic services, and even aspects of primary care. This credential allows you to transition into independent or collaborative practice depending on your state’s laws.

Graduates commonly become Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) or Certified Midwives (CMs), both of whom can deliver babies, prescribe medications, and manage reproductive health across the lifespan. In hospitals, certificate-trained midwives often serve as attending providers for labor and delivery units. In outpatient centers and clinics, they manage prenatal visits, contraception counseling, and routine gynecological care. Some also provide education, wellness screenings, and newborn care.

Because midwives are recognized as primary care providers under federal law, they work across diverse settings—hospitals, birth centers, physician practices, or even independent midwifery-led clinics. If you want to see how this career unfolds, check out this overview on how to become a certified nurse midwife, which outlines career paths, scope of practice, and earning potential in more detail.

What clinical skills will I learn in a nurse midwifery graduate certificate?

Certificate programs focus on preparing students with the hands-on and cognitive skills needed for safe, effective midwifery care. Unlike general nursing roles, midwifery requires advanced expertise in reproductive health, labor and delivery, newborn care, and primary care for women.

Employers increasingly seek candidates with demonstrated competency in obstetrics, gynecology, and collaborative clinical practice. Graduates can also explore broader leadership and public health opportunities through MSN public health jobs, applying their clinical knowledge to community health initiatives, policy, and population-focused programs.

Key skills you’ll develop include:

• Labor and delivery management: conducting births, handling emergencies, and providing pain management strategies.
• Obstetric and gynecologic care: prenatal assessments, postpartum follow-ups, miscarriage management, and contraception counseling.
• Newborn and infant care: immediate post-birth evaluations, breastfeeding support, and referrals when needed.
• Primary care and wellness: performing physical exams, prescribing medications, providing vaccinations, and conducting screenings.
• Collaboration and leadership: working alongside physicians, nurses, and public health providers to deliver patient-centered care.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) and emergency readiness: stabilizing patients and ensuring safety in high-pressure clinical settings.

Programs often integrate simulation labs, preceptorships, and supervised clinical placements to reinforce these competencies. Some also align with advanced certificates such as fastest online women's health nurse practitioner graduate certificate programs, helping nurses expand both their midwifery and women’s health expertise.

The chart below highlights the top skills employers look for when hiring certified nurse midwives. As you can see, competencies in obstetrics, labor and delivery, clinical collaboration, and emergency readiness remain central—mirroring the core training outcomes of a graduate certificate program.

Does a graduate certificate qualify me to become a CNM or CM?

Yes. Completing an accredited nurse midwifery graduate certificate program qualifies you to sit for the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) exam, which is required to practice as either a CNM or (CM. CNMs are registered nurses with advanced midwifery training, while CMs follow the same scope of practice but may enter from a non-nursing background with a related science degree. Both roles share identical national certification standards and provide a full range of care, from prenatal visits to menopause management.

Once certified, CNMs and CMs are recognized as independent healthcare providers in many states, with prescriptive authority and the ability to deliver babies, prescribe medications, and manage reproductive health. However, state laws still vary—some states grant full practice rights, while others require physician collaboration.

For students comparing different graduate-level certificate pathways, midwifery stands alongside specialized tracks such as affordable online pediatric nurse practitioner graduate certificate programs, each designed to prepare nurses for national board certification in advanced practice roles. Choosing midwifery means gaining both clinical authority and a direct role in addressing the U.S. maternal care shortage.

The image below shows the latest breakdown of certified midwives in the U.S. as of 2024. It highlights how CNMs make up nearly the entire workforce, while CMs remain a very small minority—reinforcing the certification pathways available after completing a graduate certificate.

How long does a nurse midwifery graduate certificate take, and can I do it online?

Most nurse midwifery graduate certificate programs are designed to be completed in 12 to 24 months, depending on your prior education and whether you study full-time or part-time. Students with a BSN typically complete the program in about two years, while those entering with a master’s in nursing may finish sooner. Clinical requirements—including supervised births and primary care rotations—are built into the timeline, which makes program pacing less flexible than general online coursework.

The good news: online and hybrid formats are increasingly common. According to CollegeTuitionCompare, out of 25 graduate schools offering midwifery, several provide online or partially online certificate options. These allow students to complete didactic courses virtually while arranging local clinical placements. For working nurses, this flexibility helps balance career, family, and study.

Prospective students often look into the fastest online graduate certificate nurse midwifery programs to shorten completion time, though factors like preceptor availability and clinical site access still affect duration. Ultimately, expect at least a year of structured training before you’re eligible to sit for certification exams and enter practice as a midwife.

What are the admission requirements for a nurse midwifery graduate certificate?

Admission into a nurse midwifery graduate certificate program is competitive and designed to ensure students can handle the rigors of advanced clinical training. Programs expect applicants to already hold strong academic and professional credentials in nursing or a related health field.

For those considering pharmacy pathways, understanding potential earnings like a PharmD degree salary can help inform career and educational decisions alongside a nursing trajectory. While requirements vary by school, most include the following:

• Current RN license: Applicants must be licensed registered nurses in good standing, usually with at least one year of clinical experience.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree: A BSN is typically required, though some programs allow entry with a master’s in nursing or a related field.
• Graduate-level prerequisites: Coursework in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and health assessment is often required prior to admission.
• Minimum GPA: Many programs require at least a 3.0 GPA in previous nursing coursework.
• Professional references: Letters from academic or clinical supervisors help verify readiness for advanced study.
• Statement of purpose: Applicants explain their goals for becoming a midwife and how the certificate aligns with career plans.
• Clinical experience: Some schools prefer applicants with prior labor and delivery or women’s health nursing experience.

These requirements ensure candidates are academically prepared and clinically grounded before advancing into midwifery practice.

The infographic below highlights why meeting admission requirements matters. With only about 14,000 certified midwives currently practicing against a national need of 22,000, every new graduate certificate student contributes to reducing the shortfall of nurse midwives in the U.S. workforce.

What’s the salary outlook for certificate-trained nurse midwives in 2025?

Salary data for nurse midwives is reported by occupation, not by degree type, which means certificate-trained midwives and those with higher credentials fall under the same national statistics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for nurse midwives was $128,790 in May 2023. The lowest 10% earned around $87,320, while the highest 10% earned over $177,000.

Pay also varies by setting. Midwives working in outpatient care centers averaged the highest salaries at about $164,080, followed by those in general medical and surgical hospitals at $135,900, and physician offices at $127,550. Geography makes a difference too: California topped the list with an average of $183,740, while other high-paying states included Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, and Oregon.

With rising demand for midwives and a documented workforce shortfall, compensation is expected to remain competitive. Certificate-trained CNMs and CMs can expect strong salaries across most practice environments, particularly in states that grant full practice authority.

The chart below compares median annual wages across advanced practice nursing roles in 2024. It shows that while nurse anesthetists earn the highest salaries, nurse midwives remain closely aligned with nurse practitioners, reflecting strong compensation for certificate-trained midwives within the broader APRN workforce.

Where do certificate-trained midwives work most?

Write 150 to 200 words no more, no less. Where do certificate-trained midwives work most—hospital, birth center, clinic, or home?

Most nurse midwives in the U.S. practice in hospital-based settings, reflecting where the majority of births take place. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the largest share of midwives are employed in physicians’ offices (3,490 midwives), followed by general medical and surgical hospitals (1,640), and outpatient care centers (1,020). While hospitals remain the dominant site for deliveries—94% of CNM- and CM-attended births occurred there in 2022—midwives also serve in freestanding birth centers and in home birth settings.

Outpatient centers are especially attractive for midwives because they combine flexibility with strong compensation, averaging more than $164,000 annually. Smaller numbers also work in colleges and universities, community clinics, and health departments, often balancing clinical practice with education or advocacy. Some midwives even leverage specialized expertise from online programs in military studies to work with service members or veterans, adding unique career opportunities in military health settings.

For certificate-trained midwives, these employment patterns mean a career that spans high-volume hospital units, smaller team-based clinics, or even independent birth centers depending on state laws. The profession offers a wide range of environments while maintaining strong salary prospects.

The chart below illustrates the top industries employing nurse midwives. It shows physicians’ offices as the largest employer, followed by hospitals and outpatient care centers, reinforcing how certificate-trained midwives play vital roles across diverse clinical settings in the U.S. healthcare system.

Which certification exam do I take after the certificate, and how often do I renew?

Graduates of nurse midwifery certificate programs are eligible to sit for the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) exam if they hold an RN license, or the Certified Midwife (CM) exam if they entered from a non-nursing health background. Both exams assess clinical knowledge in pregnancy, birth, postpartum, gynecology, primary care, and newborn care. Passing the exam grants national certification, which is required for licensure in most states.

Certification is not a one-time event. AMCB requires all CNMs and CMs to participate in the Certificate Maintenance Program (CMP), which operates on a five-year cycle. This includes continuing education, periodic modules, and payment of recertification fees to maintain active status. Failure to renew can result in loss of certification and, by extension, the ability to practice legally in most jurisdictions.

In short: after earning a graduate certificate and passing the AMCB exam, you’ll hold one of two nationally recognized credentials—CNM or CM—and you’ll need to recertify every five years to stay in practice.

Is a nurse midwifery graduate certificate worth it compared to an MSN or DNP?

Yes—for many nurses, a graduate certificate offers the best balance of cost, time, and return on investment. Certificate programs typically take 12–24 months and average about $17,789 in-state and $30,782 out-of-state per year in tuition. By contrast, MSN and DNP pathways require more years of study and significantly higher costs.

The BLS reports a median annual wage of $129,650 for nurse midwives in 2023, with top earners exceeding $177,000. Importantly, salaries are tied to role and practice setting rather than degree level—meaning certificate-trained CNMs and CMs often earn the same as MSN- or DNP-prepared peers. In the context of rising living costs in the U.S., where average monthly expenses for a family of four exceed $4,000 excluding rent, a faster, lower-cost route can improve ROI significantly.

For nurses weighing options, the certificate pathway offers a quicker return than advanced degrees, while MSN tracks such as the fastest nurse midwifery msn degree online may appeal to those wanting a broader graduate credential. Ultimately, a graduate certificate remains a highly efficient path into midwifery practice.

What state practice and prescribing rules should I check before enrolling?

While national certification through the AMCB is required, your ability to practice independently or prescribe medications depends on state regulations. Each state sets its own rules for CNMs and CMs, and these can significantly shape your career opportunities. Key areas to review include scope of practice, prescriptive authority, and delegation guidelines.

Additionally, some midwives enhance their professional portfolio with complementary skills, such as completing an online pet grooming course, which can open niche opportunities in family-centered wellness programs or therapeutic animal-assisted services, further diversifying income streams and client engagement.

• Independent practice authority: Some states allow CNMs to practice without physician oversight, while others require collaborative agreements.
• Prescriptive authority: Rules vary on whether midwives can prescribe controlled substances, pain management options, or only limited medications.
• Hospital admitting privileges: In many states, midwives cannot independently admit patients to hospitals, which can limit practice scope.
• CM recognition: Only a handful of states license CMs; in others, only CNMs are legally recognized.
• Medicaid and insurance reimbursement: States differ on reimbursement rates and coverage for midwifery services, even though federal law mandates Medicaid recognition.

Before applying, check your state’s nursing or midwifery board. Some states make entering midwifery easier, aligning with the easiest nurse midwife programs online, while others maintain restrictive rules. Understanding these variations ensures you select a program that aligns with your intended practice location.

Here's What Practitioners Have to Say About Their Nurse Midwifery Graduate Certificate Program

Other Things You Should Know About a Nurse Midwifery Graduate Certificate

Do nurse midwives only deliver babies?

No. Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) provide full-scope care beyond childbirth. They conduct annual exams, manage contraception, prescribe medications, handle menopause care, and treat some primary health needs. Their role extends across the lifespan, not just pregnancy and birth.

Can I specialize further after earning a nurse midwifery certificate?

Yes. Many midwives pursue additional training in areas such as lactation consulting, reproductive endocrinology, or maternal-fetal medicine. Some also complete dual certifications as women’s health nurse practitioners. Advanced practice allows you to tailor your career to specific populations or health needs.

Do nurse midwives work night shifts and weekends?

Often, yes. Since babies arrive around the clock, many midwives rotate through nights, weekends, or on-call shifts, especially in hospital settings. However, those in outpatient clinics or birth centers may enjoy more regular schedules, depending on patient volume and practice arrangements.

Is malpractice insurance required for nurse midwives?

Yes. Like physicians, midwives are responsible for patient safety and must carry malpractice insurance. Many employers provide coverage, though independent midwives often purchase their own. Premiums vary by state and practice type but are an essential part of maintaining licensure and certification.