Welcome

The information contained on these pages is provided to assist women in making informed decisions regarding their pregnancy, home birth and the selection of a licensed midwife.

There are three types of midwives which are distinguished by the levels of their educational background and certification.

Lay Midwives:

Can practice without a license or certification. Their backgrounds can vary greatly and if there are medical complications with a mother or baby, their ability to cope appropriately with the situation or to prevent or handle emergencies is limited. No state board oversees their conduct and in Washington State, while they are allowed to attend births, they are not allowed to advertise or charge for their services.

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM):

Have the most formal education. They first complete their education to become a registered nurse and then continue with extra schooling in one of more than 40 advanced programs accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. After completing their education, they must pass a certifying exam administered by the American College of Nurse-Midwives Certification Council, Inc. In Washington State, the license credential # is APxxxxxxxx. Most CNMs work in hospitals or birthing centers, and therefore, are not included in the information given on our Washington Midwife list.

Licensed Midwives (LM):

Licensed midwives in the state of Washington prepare through various means including correspondence courses, formal schooling, and apprenticeships. They must pass the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) exam, and the Washington State specific component exam. The license # credential is MWxxxxxxxx and these are the licenses listed on our Washington Midwife list.

Click here for a list of important things to consider in selecting a Licensed Midwife

Click here to see a list of Washington State Midwives from 1997-2011

This is the only comprehensive listing of Midwives in Washington State anywhere on the web.