Candidates for the state licensing examination shall meet the following conditions, unless applying under WAC 246-834-066 Certified professional midwife (CPM) licensure requirements:

(1) Midwifery training shall be at least three academic years, and shall consist of both didactic and clinical instruction sufficient to meet the educational standards of the school and this section. However, the length of required training may be shortened, but not to less than two academic years, after consideration of the student's documented education and experience in the required subjects, if the applicant is a registered nurse or practical nurse licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW, or has had previous nursing education or practical midwifery experience.

(2) The applicant must receive instruction in the following educational areas:

(a) Midwifery, basic sciences (including biology, physiology, microbiology, anatomy with emphasis on female reproductive anatomy, genetics and embryology), normal and abnormal obstetrics and gynecology, family planning techniques, childbirth education, nutrition both during pregnancy and lactation, chest feeding, neonatology, epidemiology, community care, and medicolegal aspects of midwifery; and

(b) Basic nursing skills and clinical skills including, but not limited to, vital signs, perineal prep, catheterization, aseptic techniques, administration of medications both orally and by injection, local infiltration for anesthesia, venipuncture, administration of intravenous fluids, infant and adult resuscitation, and charting.

(3) The applicant must undertake the care of not less than 100 individuals in the intrapartum period. No less than 15 of the 100 individuals must be cared for in the intrapartum period while the applicant was enrolled in the school from which the student graduates.

(a) The applicant shall submit to the department documentation of attendance at 100 births of which:

(i) At least 30 births where the applicant was the primary attendant under supervision of a qualified attendant;

(ii) At least 20 births where the applicant directly assisted;

(iii) At least 50 births that the applicant observed in addition to births counted in (d)(i) and (ii) of this subsection; and

(iv) Documentation for (a)(i) through (iii) of this subsection must include at least the date, client identifier, the applicants role at each birth, and the signature or initials of the qualified attendant at the birth of either: A licensed midwife, a CPM preceptor, a certified nurse midwife, or a practitioner licensed by their state or jurisdiction to provide maternity care. The applicant shall submit to the department the name and contact information of each signatory, if available. The department may approve exceptions to the required documentation in this subsection.

(b) The applicant shall submit to the department documentation of prenatal care examinations of 50 individuals and early postpartum care examinations of 50 individuals. The same individuals need not be seen for both examinations.

(i) No less than 15 individuals must be cared for in the prenatal and postpartum periods while enrolled in the school from which the student graduates.

(ii) Documentation must include at least the date, client identifier, and the signature or initials of the qualified attendant at the care examination of either: A licensed midwife, a CPM preceptor, a certified nurse midwife, or a practitioner licensed by their state or jurisdiction to provide maternity care. The applicant must submit to the department the name and contact information of each signatory, if available. The department may approve exceptions to the required documentation in this subsection.

(4) The applicant shall demonstrate competency in the use and administration of legend drugs and devices described in WAC 246-834-250. The applicant shall submit documentation of competency to the department on a department supplied form. A licensed health care professional who, within his or her scope of practice, is qualified in the use and administration of legend drugs and devices described in RCW 18.50.115 and WAC 246-834-250 must sign the form.

PDFWAC 246-834-030

Eligibility for state licensing examination.