| Category | Definition |
| Certified nurse-midwife (CNM) | - Per the American College of Nurse-Midwives, a CNM is a nationally certified and state licensed advance practice nurse who has received a degree as a registered nurse (RN) followed by an additional master's or doctoral level degree[1]. They must graduate from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) and pass the national certifying examination of the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
- CNMs are licensed, independent health care providers with prescriptive authority in all 50 states.
- CNM care encompasses a full range of primary health care services for women from adolescence to beyond menopause. These services include but are not limited to:
- Primary care
- Family planning services
- Preconception care
- Care during pregnancy
- Childbirth and the postpartum period
- Care of the normal newborn during the first 28 days of life
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| Certified midwife (CM) | - A certified midwife is similar to a certified nurse midwife; however, CMs have a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing.
- They must complete a graduate-level midwifery program accredited by the ACME, and pass the national certifying examination from the AMCB.
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| Certified professional midwife (CPM) | - A health care professional certified by the North American Registry of Midwives after passing written exams, as well as hands-on skill evaluations.
- Both direct-entry midwives and certified nurse-midwives can apply for this certification.
- CPMs are required to have out-of-hospital birth experience and usually practice in homes and birth centers.
- Their legal status varies according to state with 28 states recognizing them in some form (licensure, certification, registration) as of March 2018.
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| Direct-entry midwife (DEM) | - A health care professional who may or may not have a college degree or certification. Direct-entry midwives train through some combination of apprenticeship, workshops, and formal instruction.
- DEMs usually practice in homes or freestanding birth centers.
- The legal status of DEMs varies from state to state.
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| Lay midwife | - A lay midwife is not a medical professional. Her training, certification, and ability varies since she has not participated in an established curriculum, training, or uniform certification process.
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