What CPM Educational Pathways Lead to Licensure in Each State?
Source: Statute Analysis
It is important for states to honor all pathways to the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential when licensing midwives to ensure equity and maintain a diverse and competent workforce. The CPM credential, regardless of whether it is earned through a MEAC-accredited program or the Portfolio Evaluation Process (PEP), is based on nationally recognized competencies and validated through a standardized national exam. Each pathway is designed to prepare midwives to provide safe, culturally responsive, and evidence-based care in community settings. Excluding a particular pathway—especially one rooted in apprenticeship and experiential learning—can disproportionately impact midwives from marginalized communities, particularly those who have historically lacked access to formal educational institutions due to systemic barriers. Honoring all pathways affirms the legitimacy of diverse educational experiences, strengthens access to care, and upholds the intent of national certification to create a unified, competent, and inclusive midwifery profession.