Currently anyone who is already a CPM (Certified Professional Midwife) in the state of Massachusetts is eligible to register for the program. This may broaden in the future.

A CPM, Certified Professional Midwife, is someone who has completed the requirements for didactic learning, birth attendance, skills assessments and sat for and passed the exam established by NARM (North American Registry of Midwives). The didactic learning requirements to be eligible to sit the national exams can be completed through an accredited, higher education program OR through self-paced, mentor guided learning. Qualification to sit for the NARM comprehensive exam following completion of self-paced didactic learning is evaluated through a portfolio submission and this pathway is referred to as the Portfolio Evaluation Process (PEP). Learn more at narm.org.

The key differences lie in both educational background and scope of practice. CNMs (Certified Nurse Midwife) have their masters in nursing and primarily work in hospitals and birth centers with a broad scope of practice for both physiologic birth and more complex medically managed births. The scope of practice and permitted birth settings vary from state to state for both credentials. A CPM’s education is focused on providing care for low risk individuals in out of hospital environments, ie homebirths and birth centers. CPMs collaborate with specialists and other providers, and will transfer primary maternity care management if a client’s risk evaluation demonstrates elevated concerns.

The state of Massachusetts will begin accepting applications for licensure from CPMs in 2026. Eligibility for licensure is based on active NARM certification as a CPM. The two entry paths are as follows. Applicants for state licensure will need to submit documentation of either: completion of a verified Midwifery Education Accreditation Council CPM program, or completion of a NARM accredited bridge certificate which is an additional 50 CEUs in particular disciplines, largely in obstetrical emergencies after CPM qualification through the national comprehensive exam. See more at narm.org. Additional information and updates on the timeline for launch of licensure applications can be found at mass.gov.

While GCC’s Midwifery Bridge Certificate meets all of the requirements to obtain the certificate in one place, subject to MEAC approval of previous courses, the student may take parts of the program piecemeal as needed.

At this time the program is limited to people in the state of Massachusetts who currently hold their CPM. This may change in the future.

The bridge certificate program consists of nine total classes, ranging from three (3) to eight (8) hours each for a total of 50 contact hours.

The majority of the courses are virtual. There are two one-day portions that require hands-on skills, as well as a discussion-based class. These three classes will be in person.