Last Updated: May 2025 | Reviewed by Abbie Jacobs
The rising number of Caesarean births, episiotomies, and other invasive and often unnecessary medical interventions is just one of the many reasons why more and more women are turning to nurse-midwives for care before, during, and after pregnancy. Expectant mothers searching for a more holistic approach to pregnancy, labor, and delivery focus on nurse-midwives, whose patient-focused philosophy is increasingly favored over traditional OB-GYN care.
Today’s nurse-midwives, although often thought of for their maternal care, are licensed independent healthcare providers for women. They provide comprehensive gynecological care throughout a woman’s lifespan. Many nurse-midwives also care for newborns during the first 28 days of their lives.
According to the American College of Nurse-Midwives, as of 2023, nearly 600 nurse-midwives and certified midwives worked in Georgia. In 2023, approximately 15% of births in Georgia were attended by midwives, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Center for Health Statistics.
“Becoming a certified nurse-midwife in Georgia was the best career decision I’ve ever made. The graduate program was challenging but rewarding, and now I have the privilege of providing holistic care to women throughout their reproductive journey. The collaborative practice environment in Georgia allows me to work autonomously while having physician support when needed. If you’re passionate about women’s health and evidence-based care, this path is incredibly fulfilling.”
— Maria Johnson, CNM, Atlanta Birth Center, Graduate of Emory University Nurse-Midwifery Program
The Georgia Board of Nursing recognizes certified nurse-midwives as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) capable of independently managing women’s healthcare, focusing on pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, care of the newborn, family planning, and the gynecological needs of women.
Steps to Becoming a Nurse-Midwife in Georgia
Step 1. Earn a Qualifying Degree in Nurse Midwifery
Before practicing as a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in Georgia, RNs must qualify for the CNM designation and APRN licensure through the Georgia Board of Nursing. Both require a master’s degree or other postgraduate degree.
RNs may attend online or campus-based schools that offer MSN programs focusing on nurse-midwifery or a dual focus on nurse-midwifery and women’s health.
Master’s Degree Programs in Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health
RNs seeking APRN authorization as a nurse-midwife in Georgia must complete an MSN program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME).
Georgia currently has two midwifery education programs: Emory University in Atlanta and Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville. However, thanks to the many accredited online programs available to RNs seeking graduate-level study to become APRNs, earning a master’s degree in nurse-midwifery has never been easier.
MSN degrees in nurse-midwifery and nurse-midwifery/women’s health provide RNs with advanced education in antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, family planning, and other selected aspects of well-women’s healthcare. Graduates of these programs earn eligibility to take the certification examination offered through the American Midwifery Certification Board.
Graduates of nurse-midwifery/women’s health dual-focus MSN programs are eligible to take the Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) examination through the National Certification Corporation.
Program Options
| Program Type | Designed For | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN/MS Programs | RNs with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees | 2-3 years full-time |
| RN-to-MSN Programs | RNs with associate’s degrees in nursing | 3-4 years full-time |
| Post-Graduate Programs | RNs with an MSN wanting to add CNM certification | 1-2 years full-time |
| DNP Programs | RNs seeking the highest level of clinical preparation | 3-4 years full-time |
Admission Requirements
Master’s programs are designed in one of several different ways, each designed to cater to an RN’s current level of education. Admission requirements differ accordingly, for example:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees are designed for RNs who possess a bachelor’s degree
- RN-to-MSN programs are designed for RNs who currently hold an associate’s degree in nursing
- Post-graduate APRN certificates for current APRNs seeking to become CNMs
To qualify for an MSN program in nurse-midwifery, RNs typically possess:
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Current RN license
- Minimum undergraduate GPA (typically 3.0 or higher)
- Letters of recommendation
- Admission essay or letter of intent
- For some programs, clinical experience as an RN
Program Components
MSN programs are usually two years long, with part-time programs lasting about three years. They consist of two components: classroom study and clinical practice.
Nurse-midwifery programs are competency-based, focusing on the management of nurse-midwifery in women’s health and primary care throughout the lifespan.
Program content includes core coursework in areas such as:
- Advanced pathophysiology
- Advanced pharmacology
- Advanced health assessment
- Evidence-based practice and research
- Healthcare leadership and policy
- Women’s reproductive healthcare
- Intrapartum and postpartum care
- Newborn care
MSN programs in nurse-midwifery encompass up to 1,000 hours of clinical experience, which provides students with the opportunity to receive practical experience in all aspects of midwifery practice. Campus-based programs usually include nearby clinical practice sites. Online programs often partner with clinical sites throughout the country, allowing students to choose sites located in reasonable proximity to their home.
Clinical sites in Georgia may include:
- Eastside Medical Center, Snellville
- Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Johns Creek
- Emory University Hospital Midtown, Atlanta
- Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville
- Southern Regional Medical Center, Riverdale
- Atlanta Birth Center, Atlanta
- Wellstar Health System, multiple locations
- Piedmont Healthcare, various locations
Step 2. Take and Pass the National Certification Examinations
RNs who have successfully graduated from an MSN program focused on nurse-midwifery are eligible to take the AMCB certification examination through the American Midwifery Certification Board.
RNs who have successfully graduated from an MSN program dually focused on nurse-midwifery/women’s health are eligible to take the AMCB certification examination and the Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) examination through the National Certification Corporation.
The AMCB and the WHNP are computer-based tests consisting of 175 multiple-choice questions. Candidates must complete a valid examination application to earn approval as a candidate for certification. Candidates complete one or both examinations through their chosen PSI Services LLC testing centers. In Georgia, testing centers are located in the following cities:
- Atlanta
- Augusta
- Columbus
- Macon
- Savannah
The AMCB exam covers core competencies including:
- Midwifery management process
- Care of women during pregnancy
- Care during labor and birth
- Postpartum care
- Newborn care
- Well-woman gynecology
- Primary care
- Professional issues
Step 3. Apply for APRN Authority through the Georgia Board of Nursing
Before RNs in Georgia can engage in advanced practice nursing as a nurse-midwife, they must apply for APRN authorization through the Georgia Board of Nursing. Applicants for APRN authorization must possess an active Georgia RN license and submit the following to the Board:
- Application for Authorization as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- Application fee of $75
- Official college transcripts
- Verification of active, national certification in nurse-midwifery and/or women’s health
- Verification of a master’s degree or other graduate degree approved by the Board
- Verification of employment documenting at least three months/500 hours of APRN practice, OR proof of graduation from an approved nursing program within four years of the date of the application
Prescriptive Authority
Licensed APRNs in Georgia seeking prescriptive authority receive approval through the Georgia Composite Medical Board. APRNs writing prescriptions in Georgia must submit a nurse protocol agreement to the Board, which both the APRN and the delegating physician must sign.
This protocol must include:
- A provision for immediate consultation between the nurse and the delegating physician
- Record review procedures and a method for documenting these reviews
- A list of the drugs, medical treatments, and diagnostic studies that may be ordered by the APRN
- Parameters for prescribing Schedule III, IV, and V controlled substances
Step 4. Now That You’re a Nurse-Midwife in Georgia
CNMs in Georgia must ensure they maintain their APRN authority and professional certification(s).
APRN Authority Renewal Requirements (Georgia Board of Nursing)
The Georgia Board of Nursing has an online APRN licensure renewal process. All licenses expire on January 31 of even or odd years, simultaneously with RN licenses. All RNs in Georgia must complete continuing education/competency requirements as a condition of license renewal.
Georgia law provides RNs with five options to satisfy the continuing competency requirements, detailed here. The most common option is completing 30 contact hours of continuing education during renewal.
CNM Renewal Requirements (American Midwifery Certification Board)
CNMs complete their continuing education requirements by following the American Midwifery Certification Board’s Certification Maintenance Program, which requires completing one of the following options:
- Option 1: Complete at least three AMCB Certificate Maintenance Modules during each five-year certification cycle and at least 20 contact hours of approved continuing education units; pay annual fees
- Option 2: Retake the AMCB Certification Examination and pay the examination fee in place of annual fees
WHNP Renewal Requirements (National Certification Corporation)
The National Certification Corporation requires WHNPs to take a continuing competency assessment at the beginning of each three-year maintenance cycle and, based on their performance, complete a specific number of continuing education credit hours.
Resources for CNMs and WHNPs in Georgia
APRN authority as a nurse-midwife opens up many professional opportunities for RNs in Georgia. This may include achieving employment or earning career advancement at an independent birth center, expanding OB-GYN practice, or at one of the state’s large hospitals/medical centers:
- Georgia Center for Female Health, Norcross
- West Georgia Health: Women’s Health Center, LaGrange
- LaGrange Women’s Health Professional Group of West Georgia, LaGrange
- Women’s Healthcare Center of Georgia, Austell
- Center for Women’s Health at the Longstreet Clinic, Cornelia
- Women’s Health Group, Brunswick
- Academia of Women’s Health and Endoscopic Surgery, Atlanta
- Northeast Georgia Health System, Women & Children’s Pavilion
- Emory University Hospital Midtown, Atlanta
- Southern OB/GYN, Valdosta
- Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta
- Atlanta Birth Center, Atlanta
- Northside Hospital, Atlanta
Many CNMs may also choose to open their practice. Professional associations in Georgia may serve as beneficial resources for starting or advancing a practice in nurse-midwifery:
- Georgia Midwifery Association
- American College of Nurse-Midwives, Georgia Affiliate
- Central Georgia Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
- APRN Council of Coastal Georgia
- United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia
Salaries for Certified Nurse-Midwives in Georgia
Statewide, Georgia continues to have one of the highest numbers of nurse midwives of any state in the nation as of 2023, while the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta area remains in the top five metropolitan areas for employing nurse midwives. The profession is experiencing rapid growth in response to increased demand for midwifery services.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 280 nurse midwives were practicing in Georgia in May 2023. The average annual salary for certified nurse midwives in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta metro area was $129,470 per year, with entry-level CNMs in the 10th percentile earning $89,340 per year and experienced nurse midwives in the 90th percentile earning an average annual salary of $178,620.
The employment outlook for CNMs in Georgia is excellent. The projected job growth rate for this occupation is 21% through 2032, significantly higher than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by increased recognition of the value of midwifery care, expanding scope of practice, and consumer demand for more personalized birthing experiences.
(Salary data for nurse-midwives reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2023. Figures represent state data, not school-specific information. Job growth data provided by Projections Central, a resource funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. Conditions in your area may vary. Information accessed May 2025.)
FAQs About Becoming a CNM in Georgia
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A CNM IN GEORGIA?
The pathway to becoming a certified nurse-midwife in Georgia typically takes 6-8 years: 2-4 years to earn a BSN, gain RN licensure, and acquire nursing experience, followed by 2-3 years to complete a master’s degree or DNP in nurse-midwifery, plus the time needed to pass certification exams and complete the APRN licensure process through the Georgia Board of Nursing.
CAN I BECOME A CNM IN GEORGIA WITH AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN NURSING?
Yes, but you’ll need additional education. While an ADN qualifies you for RN licensure, becoming a CNM in Georgia requires a master’s degree in nurse-midwifery. ADN-prepared nurses should look for RN-to-MSN bridge programs that accommodate associate degree holders. These programs typically require 3-4 years of full-time study and include BSN-level coursework before progressing to graduate-level midwifery education.
WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR CNMS IN GEORGIA?
Certified Nurse-Midwives in Georgia function as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses with a broad scope of practice. They can independently manage women’s healthcare throughout the lifespan, including pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care, newborn care, family planning, and gynecological services. CNMs in Georgia can prescribe medications (including certain controlled substances) when practicing under an approved protocol agreement with a collaborating physician. They can practice in hospitals, birth centers, clinics, and other healthcare settings.
ARE THERE ONLINE NURSE-MIDWIFERY PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO GEORGIA RESIDENTS?
Yes, multiple ACME-accredited nurse-midwifery programs offer online or hybrid formats accessible to Georgia residents. These programs typically require students to arrange their clinical placements in their local area, often with support from program faculty. Online programs generally require several campus visits throughout the program for intensive hands-on training. Georgia residents should verify that any distance education program they’re considering will meet the Georgia Board of Nursing requirements for APRN authorization.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CNM AND A CPM IN GEORGIA?
In Georgia, Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) have different educational backgrounds, scopes of practice, and regulatory frameworks. CNMs are advanced practice registered nurses with graduate education who can practice in all settings and provide comprehensive women’s healthcare. The Georgia Board of Nursing regulates them. CPMs are direct-entry midwives certified by the North American Registry of Midwives who focus primarily on out-of-hospital births and are controlled separately. CPMs in Georgia have a more limited scope of practice and typically attend home births rather than hospital births.