Michigan Midwifery License
What is a midwife in Michigan, now that we have licensing? The long debated licensing has passed and now you don’t know what to ask or how that affects you. Hopefully this will clear some of that up!
As of August 1, 2019, you need a license to work as a midwife in the whole state of Michigan. The licensing process is fairly easy if you have all of the requirements needed.
How to Obtain Midwifery Licensing
A midwife must be a graduate of one of the MEAC recognized institutions in order to be recognized by midwifery licensing standards within the state of Michigan. There are currently only eleven MEAC accredited programs in the United States. These schools are listed below.
Bastyr University, WA
BirthWise Midwifery School, ME
National College of Midwifery, NM
Nizhori Institute of Midwifery, CA
Birthingway College of Midwifery, OR
Florida School of Tradition Midwifery, FL
Midwifery College of Utah, UT
National Midwifery Institute, VT
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, WI
Mercy in Action College of Midwifery, ID
Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery, FL
Why was MEAC Accreditation Chosen?
MEAC accredited schools offer many benefits to midwifery students. They offer a didactic curriculum that is standardized among these institutions, there are internal boards to maintain order among students as well as an MEAC committee for overseeing all their accredited schools.
In order to meet MEAC standards, an institution must comply with the following guidelines.
Measures the students success with respect to the schools mission;
Bases its course of education on nationally recognized standards;
Utilizes qualified faculty for its didactic and clinical education;
Maintains appropriate facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources
Practices sound financial management;
Provides appropriate student services;
Establishes policies and procedures regarding student affairs;
Includes minimum lengths of didactic and clinical education;
Has a mechanism for responding to complaints;
Is in compliance with title IV of the higher education act, if it chooses to participate
For further information please refer to the following video http://youtu.be/h2q3Ec_vSo4
Some of the many reasons to choose to enroll in a MEAC accredited program
For current and prospective students -
Serves a consumer protection purpose by providing assurance that the school or program has been evaluated and has met accepted standards established by and with the profession;
Assists prospective students in identifying acceptable programs or institutions;
Assures students that the school does what it promises on its website and promotional materials;
Ensures that the education the student receives is well-rounded and comprehensive for entry level midwifery practice;
Determines that a midwifery education program has set objectives for students who enroll, has provided services that enable these students to meet those objectives, and can in fact show that students have benefited from the learning experiences provided;
Facilitates the process of becoming a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) through the North American Registry of Midwives. Allows students to participate in federally-funded financial aid programs at participating schools;
Assures students that the school continually undergoes quality-improvement process that includes both self-evaluation and feedback from peers, including other midwifery educators and school administrators;
Improves the chance that a graduate will be able to transfer credits or degrees to another institution for further education or graduate education;
Enhances employment opportunities for graduates in states that base eligibility for licensure upon graduation from an accredited school or program or within midwifery practices that want to see the MEAC “seal of approval.”
For practicing midwives —
Advances the profession by promoting standards of practice and advocating rigorous preparation;
Provides assurance to existing midwifery practices that new midwives entering the group will be trained in the essential knowledge and skills needed to be a competent partner midwife;
Ensures consistency of skills among midwives;
Recognition of profession within health care profession (accreditation is a piece of contemporary American professionalism);
Fosters accountability and therefore, credibility;
Fosters cohesion within the profession (no us vs. them);
Access to financial aid opportunities to increase the numbers of practicing midwives; and
Acts as scaffolding for the next generation – helps the profession to come together to share resources, develop standards, education then means that students are being trained in a forward-thinking system.
Midwifery Certification
In the United States we experience a unique model of midwifery care. There are several midwifery credentials available for practitioners.
The most often seen would be CPM (certified professional midwife), obtained through the NARM (North American Midwifery Registry). A CPM must recertify through NARM every three years; this is a process involving continued education credits and maintaining an active status with CPR and NRP certificates.
In Michigan a midwife must first obtain her CPM credential, and then proceed to apply for a state specific license. As of Aug. 1 2019, you need a license to work as a midwife in the whole state of Michigan. The licensing process is fairly easy if you have all of the requirements needed. You will first need a CPM credential from NARM (North American Registry of Midwives). This along with: application fees, criminal background check, good moral character questions, human tracking training, social security number, verification and certification of licensure, completion of an education program that is MEAC accredited, evidence of holding an active CPM credential, and proof of passing NARM exam.
What has Michigan Midwifery licensing achieved?
This licensing has achieved easier access to lab work and laboratory facilities, easier access to ultrasound facilities, and has further integrated licensed CPM’s into the healthcare system. Midwives also have a defined list of medications that are within their scope to safely use out of hospital. This affords protection for the midwife from litigation of practicing medicine without a license. Prior to state licensing of midwives, Michigan was considered an “unregulated state”. This means that a midwife was not granted the ability to bill insurance companies for client compensation, along with other restrictions of practice. Being unregulated can be dangerous for both expectant parents as well as providers. Licensing has provided a definitive scope of practice for all licensed midwives in Michigan. Allowing for safer transfer of care to hospital facilities by facilitating a stronger professional standing between providers. This license also allows consumers and prospective clients to be assured that their midwife has met the minimum requirements to practice safely in this state.
If you know me, you will be aware that I did fight against licensing of midwives in Michigan. This is because my previous experience with licensing tied the hands of midwives from providing good solid care, and in giving options to women that the medical community denied to them. I believe that our licensing, for the most part, has been done well. The few grievances I have are minor and so far have been resolved.
For midwives who are working outside the protective measures of the CPM credential and the LM (licensed midwife), they can be charged with practicing midwifery without a license, and risk legal action. It is a felony to misrepresent yourself as a licensed midwife; these people are at risk of substantial fines, and jail time. Those working with or under an unlicensed midwife, risk the same legal ramifications as the “posing-midwife”. In essence, you are also practicing as a midwife without a license, whether you are a student midwife, or birth assistant.
Alternative Birthing Choices
Michigan licensing still does allow for unassisted birthing. This was an important thing for me because it allowed choice for the birthing women. I think that with self-education and self-evaluation, unassisted births are a valid choice for a family who is choosing to take on full responsibility and autonomy. I am glad that they left this choice open. I do however, feel that not all people should choose this, that this takes a highly self reliant, and well informed person to make this personal choice.
Although my personal belief is that this should be a choice, there are people who are convoluting this, such as birth keepers, indiebirthers, and some doulas’. Essentially, any of these people, who go by different titles, will say you don’t need to have a professional present in order to safely give birth. They represent themselves to be competent in providing “midwifery-like services” without having completed any formalized or approved education in this field. While it is fine to invite them into your birth space, it is important to make sure you are not relying on them to provide any medical related assessment or management.
Final Thoughts
In this day and age, we have so much knowledge at our fingertips that choosing the right person to attend your birth is sometimes harder, the information overload can be tricky to weed through. Knowing how it works and what questions to ask is an important part of the pregnancy process. My hope is that this information helps clarify some of the things you need to be aware of in that choice making. I would love to know if there are still things you want to know about the midwifery process, education, or licensing! Send your inquiries to simplyborn@yahoo.com
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