How to Become a Midwife in Arkansas

An Arkansas midwife must have a license before assisting with childbirth.

With the cost of healthcare steadily increasing, some pregnant women are opting to use midwifes to assist with their pregnancy and childbirth to save money. Additionally, midwives use some of the least invasive medical methods to help create a natural birthing environment. All childbirths have a risk to the fetus and the mother, so a midwife needs to have a clear understanding of when medical intervention becomes necessary. The state of Arkansas requires the licensure and regulation of all midwives to ensure that using a midwife is a safe alternative to clinical medical care.

Things You'll Need

• High school diploma or GED
• Immunizations
• CPR certifications
• Evidence of practical experience
• Examination completion

Instructions

1. Get a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED) if you do not already have one. You are required to have a diploma or GED in order to be eligible for licensure as a lay midwife in the state of Arkansas.

2. Earn your CPR certification from the American Red Cross (ARC), or the American Heart Association (AHA). You will need to have earned your certification in both adult and infant CPR.

3. Provide evidence that you do not have any communicable diseases. You will need to have evidence of a negative tuberculosis (TB) test, either by providing a health card with negative test results, or by providing a negative chest x-ray. You will also need to provide documentation of a Rubella immunization or titer.

4. Get your practical experience hours completed, pursuant to the educational guidelines as established by the state of Arkansas. When you have completed your practical experience, you will need to obtain a notarized statement from your preceptor, evidencing that you have demonstrated success in your practical skills. Make sure that your preceptor signs your statement and includes their contact information so that the state of Arkansas can contact your preceptor for verification, if necessary.

5. Take your North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) licensing examination, which is administered by the Arkansas Department of Health several times a year. You will need to get a score of 75 or higher to pass. If necessary, you may take the test two more times, after which you will need to repeat your practical skills before re-testing. Once you have passed this test, you will be a licensed midwife in Arkansas.

References

• mana.org: Arkansas
• cfmidwifery.org: Legal Status of Direct Entry Midwives