A license issued by the Florida Department of Health is required to practice midwifery, per Chapter 467, Florida Statutes.
The Department does not license certified nurse midwives. Certified nurse midwives are advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), and are licensed by the Board of Nursing.
Council of Licensed Midwifery
The Council of Licensed Midwifery was created within the Florida Department of Health to assist in regulating the practice of midwifery in Florida, and protect the health and welfare of mothers and infants.
Midwife means any person not less than 21 years of age, other than a licensed physician or certified nurse midwife, who is licensed under this chapter to supervise the birth of a child. Midwifery means the practice of supervising the conduct of a normal labor and childbirth, with the informed consent of the parent; the practice of advising the parents as to the progress of childbirth; and the practice of rendering prenatal and postpartum care.
The Florida Legislature recognizes the need for a person to have the freedom to choose the manner, cost, and setting for giving birth. The Legislature also recognizes the need for the safe and effective delivery of newborn babies and the health, safety, and welfare of their mothers in the delivery process. The Legislature finds that the interests of public health require the regulation of the practice of midwifery in this state for the purpose of protecting the health and welfare of mothers and infants.
Certified Professional Midwife
The North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) offers the credential of certified professional midwife at the national level. While many requirements to receive this certification from the NARM overlap with licensing requirements for licensed midwives, a certified professional midwife alone is not enough to practice in Florida.
Resources
General Licensing Requirements
- Must be 21 years of age at the time of application
- Must have a valid, unrestricted certificate or license to practice midwifery
- Must demonstrate college level computation and communication competency by:
- passing the College Level Academic Scholastic Test (CLAST) or
- passing the College Level Equivalent Proficiency (CLEP) test in communication and computation
- having taken three college level credits each of math and english
- Must pass the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) written examination: Agency approval must be provided to register for the NARM examination. Council staff will submit appropriate documentation to the NARM upon receipt of your application.
- Must submit a complete application and fees: Additional Documentation will be required based on your method of application.
Florida Laws and Rules
Chapter 456, Florida Statutes – Medical Practice Act
Chapter 467, Florida Statutes – Midwifery Practice Act
Recent Legislation
View recent legislative updates that impact health care professions.
Annual Reports
The annual report is a comprehensive review of data concerning significant events and transfers during prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care provided by licensees in Florida, as well as major activities of the council, rule recommendations, council meetings, and other information pertaining to the profession. Annual reporting from individual midwives is required per 64B24-7.014(6), Florida Administrative Code, which states in part:
Each licensed midwife, temporary certificate holding midwife, and midwife supervising a student midwife in assisting in childbirth that occurs in an out-of-hospital setting, shall file an annual report no later than July 31 for the prior fiscal year.
Submitting Annual Report Data
- Access the Annual Report of Midwifery Practice
- Complete and submit the Annual Report of Midwifery Practice no later than July 31
- Questions and concerns about the annual report should be directed to MQA.Midwifery@FLHealth.gov
Failure to submit the Annual Report of Midwifery Practice will result in a notice of noncompliance issued by the Department.
Annual Reports of Midwifery Practice
Associations and Organizations
Midwifery Education Accreditation Council
1935 Pauline Blvd., Suite 100B
Ann Arbor, MI 41803
National Association of Certified Professional Midwives
P.O. Box 7703
Little Rock, AR 72217
888-353-7089
Midwives Association of Florida
1100 Sunset Strip, Suite 8
Sunrise, FL 33313
954-581-8126
Federal HIPAA Information
Center for Democracy and Technology
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
