CML Challenge Program
Qualifying candidates for California Licensure who have not attended an approved program as outlined by the State of California.
Target Candidates & Eligibility
Successful completion of the NMI Challenge Program qualifies candidates for California Licensure who have not attended an approved program as outlined by the State of California. The Challenge Program is intended for individuals who have provided primary midwifery care for at least 10 births in an out-of-hospital setting, as provided in the home or freestanding birth center.
National Midwifery Institute’s California Midwifery License (CML) Challenge Program is not equivalent to our Certificate Program and is not an educational program. Further, CML Challenge Program students do not graduate from NMI. If a student decides to change programs within NMI, tuition does not transfer between the Certificate Program and the CML Challenge Program.
Requirements for Licensure
Fulfillment of Midwifery Didactic Requirements
Complete National Midwifery Institute gap analysis process to confirm completion of academic midwifery requirements consistent with California Midwifery Practice Act (B&P Code 2512.5 and 2513).
Fulfillment and Verification of Experience Requirements
The following clinical experiences are required by the CA Medical Board for midwife-applicants choosing the challenge route to licensure (B&P Code 2513b and Title 16 1379.15):
Experience Currency & Verification Rules:
Currency Definition: Clinical experience must have occurred within 10 years prior to the midwife-applicant’s date of application to the CML Challenge Program, AND at least 50% of the clinical experience must have occurred within 5 years prior to application.
Verification Process: All clinical experience must be verified by a licensed physician/surgeon, and by a licensed midwife or certified nurse-midwife. Clinical experience is verified either through direct observation, by chart audit (client codes with de-identified records), or by phone conversations with former clients or a midwife/other person who was present at the birth. Note: Clients must grant permission for their identity to be shared for phone verification purposes. Each verifier must provide their midwifery or medical license number, and all licenses must be current and in good standing.
Verification of Additional Trainings
The following certifications must be current at the time of the CML Challenge Written Examination:
Required Current Certifications:
- Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Basic Life Support (CPR/BLS)
CML Challenge Written Examination
Successful completion of the CML Challenge Written Examination to confirm the midwife-applicant’s comprehension of core midwifery knowledge and licensing requirements for California midwives (B&P Code 2513).
NARM Licensing Examination Notice:
It is important to note that midwives who have completed the CML Challenge Process will need to take the NARM Exam (which serves as the California Licensing Exam) unless they have already taken and passed it. If not, the CA Medical Board will notify NARM, who will reach out to the midwife to make arrangements.
