Are you interested in becoming a certified nurse midwife (CNM) in Utah?
That’s great!
CNMs play a very important role in providing quality healthcare to women in all life stages, especially during pregnancy and childbirth.
Aside from that, you get to have a rewarding and well-compensated career.
But how do you become a nurse midwife (CNM) in Utah?
After you become an RN, you still need to complete an accredited nursing program and pass the national certification examination for CNMs.You also need to apply for a license.
That seems like a handful, doesn’t it?
Well, don’t worry because we’ll break it down for you into 4 manageable steps.
Achieving your dream starts with knowing how to get there.
So, if you’re ready, let’s dive right in!
How to Become a Nurse Midwife (CNM) in Utah in 4 Simple Steps
There are four simple steps to becoming a CNM in Utah:
- Step #1: Earn a Graduate Degree in Nurse Midwifery
- Step #2: Take the National Certification Exam
- Step #3: Apply for an Advanced Practice License in Nurse Midwifery
- Step #4: Keep Your License Updated
Here’s a more detailed look into each step.
Step #1: Earn a Graduate Degree in Nurse-Midwifery
Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in Utah can be a tricky and rigorous process.
Before you can enter into a CNM program, there are already a lot of prerequisites to comply with.
Basic Admission Requirements
Each school will have a specific list of requirements for admission, but there are a few basic ones common to all.
These include:
- Completing a BSN degree (some allow an RN-to-MSN bridge program)
- Passing the NCLEX
- Getting an RN license
- Gaining at least one year of experience as an RN
All in all, the prerequisites will already take you at least five years to complete.
In case you are not yet an RN, you can find out how to become one in Utah by reading this guide.
Enroll in an Accredited Midwifery Program
If you are already an RN with experience, then you must be admitted to an accredited midwifery education program and pass its exams.
Registered nurses with BSNs can complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in nurse-midwifery or a Master of Science (MS) in nurse-midwifery. They can also take a doctoral degree.
Just make sure that the program you enroll in is approved by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education.
If you hold an associate’s degree in nursing rather than a BSN, you can enroll in RN-to-MSN programs certified by ACME. This will help you complete both a bachelor’s degree and the necessary master’s degree in a single expedited dual-degree program.
To obtain their initial CNM license, RNs in Utah with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) frequently acquire post-graduate degrees in nurse-midwifery.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) with active licenses may also apply for post-graduate degrees to get their CNM license.
Step #2: Take the National Certification Exam
After completing the educational program, you must pass the National Certification Exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
You can schedule to take the exam at any of the Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) testing facilities in the US.
Applicants in Utah can apply to the AMP testing facility located in Salt Lake City.
The NCE is composed of 175 multiple-choice items and you have four hours to complete it.
Effective on January 1, 2023, the exam content is composed of the following topics:
- Antepartum – 21%
- Intrapartum – 21%
- Postpartum – 18%
- Gynecology – 19%
- Women’s health and primary care – 11%
- Newborn – 10%
The good thing is that you can access a Candidate Handbook from the AMCB which will help you apply and prepare for the exam.
They also offer other online resources to help you succeed when you take the NCE.
Step #3: Apply for a CNM License in Utah
After passing the certification exam, the next step is to apply for a CNM license from the Utah Department of Commerce-Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).
CNM licenses in Utah are separate from APRN licenses.
Applicants are required to submit the following items:
- $130.00 non-refundable application processing fee, made payable to “DOPL”.
- Supporting documentation for any “yes” answers provided on the qualifying questionnaires.
- Fingerprints to be used by DOPL for a criminal background check.
- Official transcripts from your accredited Nurse Midwife Program (sent directly from the school to DOPL).
- Documentation of passing the American College of Nurse Midwives Certification Council Examination. (e.g., copy of national certification card).
- If you are not currently licensed in the state of Utah as a Registered Nurse, you must submit official verification of an active RN and/or APRN license from one or more jurisdictions in which you are currently licensed.
If you are currently a CNM in another state, you may qualify for licensure by endorsement in Utah.
To do so, you have to submit:
- Official verification of your active CNM license. Your license should be in good standing and should have been issued for at least one year. It should also come from a jurisdiction designated by the Division as equivalent to Utah. You can see the list of equivalent states here.
- Verification of current certification with AMCB as a CNM. Note: Certification as a CM is not sufficient.
- $130.00 non-refundable application processing fee, made payable to “DOPL”.
- Supporting documentation for any “yes” answers provided on the qualifying questionnaires.
- Fingerprints to be used by DOPL for a criminal background check.
In Utah, you also have the option to apply for a Controlled Substance License.
You can take a look at the checklist at the end of this application form to make sure you have everything you need for your license application.
If your application is approved, you will receive your CNM license! Congratulations!
Note: If you are applying for a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner license at the same time, you will need to file a separate APRN Application and pay a $140 application fee.
Step #4: Keep Your License Updated
Keeping your CNM license updated is essential for current and future professional practice. Ensure that your license is renewed on time and all requirements are met so that you can continue to practice as a CNM.
In Utah, renewal of a CNM license must occur every two years, expiring on January 31 of even-numbered years.
There is a cost of $63 associated with renewing the license using either a paper renewal form or the online renewal form.
To renew your CNM license in Utah, you must show proof that your certification from the AMCB is current.
This means that you will need to keep an updated CNM certificate. You can check AMCB’s Certificate Maintenance Program to keep track of your progress.
If you hold a CNM license with controlled substances, an additional fee of $78 (aside from the $63) must be paid for successful renewal.
You must also complete a minimum of 4 hours of continuing education each licensing period.
These courses should include:
- at least 3.5 hours specifically related to the prescribing of controlled substances
- 30 minutes to complete the mandatory online tutorial provided by the Department of Professional Licensing (DOPL).
This ensures that CNMs in Utah have access to the up-to-date information required to safely practice nursing and midwifery in an ethically sound manner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Nurse Midwife in Utah
What is a Certified Nurse Midwife?
A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is a specialized healthcare professional who provides primary care to women throughout their life cycle, from adolescence to menopause.
CNMs are trained in both nursing and midwifery and focus on promoting health and well-being through patient education, preventive services, counseling, prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, and gynecological exams.
They use evidence-based practices to manage the physical, mental, and emotional needs of women to maintain optimal health for mothers and their babies.
As an added benefit, research has shown that CNM-attended births have better overall outcomes than standard hospital deliveries.
How Much Does a Certified Nurse Midwife Make in Utah?
Certified Nurse Midwives in Utah make an impressive salary in the medical industry.
According to Salary.com, their average salary lies between $102,671 and $126,575.
The actual figure can depend on a variety of factors such as geographical location, level of education, certifications held, and years of experience.
With good prospects for career development in this profession, there are potentially lots of financial gains to be made along with the rewarding personal satisfaction that comes with the job of helping families through pregnancy.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a CNM is a great idea.
You get to have a rewarding profession with a competitive salary—plus, you can make a real difference in the lives of women and infants.
The process isn’t easy, but if you’re up for the challenge, then it will all be worth it.
Just follow the steps outlined in this guide and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a certified nurse midwife in Utah.
We hope this guide will help you achieve your dreams. You can always come back to it if you ever feel lost on your journey.
We wish you all the best!
For more details on how to become a nurse in your state, feel free to check out the rest of our articles.