It is time to clarify for the public that midwives have different educational and training backgrounds. Senate Bill 1033 pertains to the licensing of the certified professional midwives (CPMs) who provide maternity care and attend birth at home. Their training can be an apprenticeship or through a formal program that several schools on the mainland provide.

The certification exam is offered through the North American Registry of Midwives. They are licensed in 31 states.

Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) have completed a master’s degree university program and passed national boards offered by the American Midwife Certification Board.

They all have a registered nurse and advanced practice nurse license granted by the Hawaii State Board of Nursing. They also have prescriptive authority.

CNMs practice both in the outpatient clinics and attend births in the hospital setting. They are licensed in all 50 states. Their professional association is the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).

There are many other people who call themselves midwives who are not licensed and do not fall under the auspices of SB 1033.

Connie Conover

Manoa

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