Last Updated: January 2026 | Reviewed by Abbie Jacobs
Nevada’s progressive stance on advanced practice nursing has opened the doors for registered nurses (RNs) to pursue independent midwifery practice. This page will guide you through every step of becoming a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) in Nevada, from education and licensing to salary potential and career options.
Whether you’re a BSN-prepared RN or just starting with an associate’s degree, there are accredited nurse-midwifery programs, many online, designed to help you reach your goal. This guide also examines the growth of midwifery in Nevada, job prospects, and how Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are addressing the state’s critical healthcare needs in a landscape where fewer than 70 CNMs serve the entire state, and 47% of counties are classified as maternity care deserts.
Steps to Becoming a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) in Nevada
Step 1. Earn a Qualifying Master’s Degree or Higher in Nurse-Midwifery
To become licensed as a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) in Nevada, you must complete a graduate program in nurse-midwifery accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). Nevada is now home to its first in-state CNM program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), which achieved ACME preaccreditation on March 28, 2023, and graduated its first two students in 2025. However, many students still opt for accredited online CNM programs to meet the educational requirement.
These programs prepare RNs through classroom and clinical training in areas such as women’s reproductive health, newborn care, pharmacology, and management of antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care.
UNLV School of Nursing CNM Program
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, offers a 53-credit Master of Science in Nursing with a certified nurse-midwifery concentration. The program features:
- Primarily online instruction with mandatory on-campus sessions for orientation, skills labs, and clinical assessments
- Both full-time and part-time enrollment options are available
- Admission requirements include a BSN from an accredited program, a minimum 3.0 GPA, active, unencumbered RN license
- Typicall,y one year of clinical nursing experienceis preferred (no GRE required)
- Clinical placements arranged near your location (700–1,000 hours required)
For more information, contact [email protected] or attend one of their periodic information sessions.
Program Pathways Based on Your Current Degree
| Current Nursing Credential | Best Path to CNM |
|---|---|
| Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) | Enroll in an RN-to-MSN nurse-midwifery bridge program online |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | Apply to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with a CNM track |
| MSN or NP (Non-CNM) | Pursue a Post-Master’s CNM Certificate program |
| Doctorate (e.g., DNP or PhD) | If needed, add a Post-Grad CNM Certificate |
Program Components
- 40–60 credit hours of didactic coursework
- Clinical experience (700–1,000 hours), arranged near your location
- Common subjects: Women’s primary care, labor & birth, newborn care, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and midwifery ethics
DNP and Dual Certification Options
Some RNs choose programs that offer dual certification as a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) and a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC). These dual-focus CNM/WHNP programs provide greater versatility in care settings and expanded career opportunities.
“When I started looking into CNM programs, I didn’t realize how many flexible online options were out there. Being able to stay in Reno and still work during my clinicals made all the difference.”
— Samantha P., RN, future CNM
Optimize Your CNM Program Search
Choosing among accredited nurse-midwifery programs can be a daunting task. Compare options carefully and prioritize ACME-accredited programs offering:
- Online coursework with clinical placement support
- Dual-degree MSN and DNP pathways
- Flexible enrollment for full- or part-time students
This ensures you meet Nevada’s APRN licensing standards and are fully prepared for national certification.
Step 2. Take and Pass the National Certification Examination
Once you’ve completed your graduate program, the next step is national certification. All aspiring CNMs must pass the Certified Nurse-Midwife Exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
About the CNM Exam
- 175 multiple-choice questions
- 4-hour testing window
- Topics include antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, gynecology, primary care, and newborn care
You can prepare using the AMCB Candidate Handbook. Exam sites are available in Henderson and Reno, Nevada.
Optional: Dual Certification
Many CNM programs also allow you to become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC). This requires passing the NCC’s WHNP Exam.
Step 3. Apply for APRN Licensure Through the Nevada State Board of Nursing
Once nationally certified, you’ll apply for licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with the Nevada State Board of Nursing.
Licensure Steps
- Request fingerprinting instructions: Call 1-888-590-6726
- Pay the $51.25 fingerprint fee
- Submit the APRN Application with:
- National certification proof (e.g., AMCB certificate)
- Official transcripts showing advanced coursework in health assessment, pathophysiology, and clinical preceptorship
- $200 licensure fee
Prescriptive Authority
In Nevada, CNMs gain full independent prescriptive authority, making Nevada one of approximately 25 states with this progressive practice environment.
Key prescriptive authority details:
- Schedules III-V controlled substances: Independent prescribing immediately upon licensure
- Schedule II controlled substances: Requires completion of either 2,000 hours or 2 years of practice, or maintaining a collaborative protocol with a physician until reaching that threshold
- All prescribing APRNs must register with the Nevada Prescription Monitoring Program and obtain DEA registration
Recent Licensure and Continuing Education Updates (2024-2025)
Nevada has implemented several new requirements for APRNs:
| New Requirement | Effective Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural Competency CE | January 1, 2024 | 4 hours per renewal cycle (AB 267) |
| HIV Stigma/Discrimination Training | January 1, 2024 | 2 hours for midwives (SB 439) |
| Las Vegas Board Office | October 1, 2025 | Relocated to 5820 S. Eastern Ave. |
Continuing Education Requirements
APRNs must complete the following CE requirements every two-year renewal cycle:
- 45 total contact hours, including 15 hours in your CNM specialty area
- Cultural competency: 4 hours per cycle (new as of 2024)
- HIV training: 2 hours per cycle for midwives (new as of 2024)
- Suicide prevention: 2 hours every 4 years
- Substance use/SBIRT: 2 hours per cycle
- Opioid training: 2 hours per cycle for prescribers
- Bioterrorism: 4 hours (one-time requirement)
Nevada does not participate in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, requiring separate licensure for practice in the state.
Step 4. Explore Nurse-Midwife Career Options in Nevada and Maintain Credentials
With your APRN license in hand, you can begin practicing as a Certified Nurse-Midwife in Nevada. CNMs here work in a wide range of healthcare settings, from large hospitals to private women’s clinics and midwifery-led birth centers. Nevada currently has fewer than 70 CNMs serving the entire state, creating exceptional career opportunities for new graduates.
Nevada’s Critical Need for CNMs
The demand for certified nurse-midwives in Nevada is exceptionally high due to significant healthcare access challenges:
- Maternity care deserts: 8 of 17 Nevada counties (47%) are classified as maternity care deserts by the March of Dimes—areas without birthing hospitals, birth centers, or obstetric clinicians
- OB/GYN shortage: Nevada has 106 OB/GYNs practicing in Las Vegas, but only 4 OB/GYNs in the rest of the state
- Rural healthcare gaps: Only 4 of 14 rural hospitals offer routine labor and delivery services
- Growing population: Nevada’s rapid population growth continues to strain the existing maternity care infrastructure
Common Employers of CNMs in Nevada
- University Medical Center of Southern Nevada – Las Vegas
- Women’s Health Associates of Southern Nevada – Las Vegas (recipient of $250,000 Molina Healthcare recruitment grant in 2024)
- Hera Women’s Health – Las Vegas (expanding with new clinic at Sunrise Medical Center)
- Centennial Hills Hospital – Las Vegas
- Renown Regional Medical Center – Reno
- St. Rose Dominican Hospitals – Henderson
- Baby’s First Day – Henderson
- Serenity Birth Center – Las Vegas
- Northern Nevada Midwives Association – Reno
CNMs may work independently or collaboratively with OB/GYNs, depending on the setting. With the critical shortage of OB/GYN physicians in rural Nevada, CNMs are often the primary providers of reproductive and childbirth care.
Loan Repayment and Incentive Programs
Nevada offers significant financial incentives for CNMs willing to serve underserved communities:
- Nevada HEAL Program: Loan repayment awards up to $120,000 for practitioners serving in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs)
- All 17 Nevada counties have some type of HRSA shortage designation, creating broad eligibility for assistance programs
“I was nervous about working in a rural county, but the need was so great. I’ve had the chance to open my own practice and serve women who would otherwise have no access to OB care. The loan repayment program made it financially possible.”
— Maria L., CNM, Elko County
Maintaining Your CNM Certification
To maintain CNM certification, you must fulfill AMCB’s 5-year Certificate Maintenance Program, which includes:
- 3 modules + 20 CE hours, or
- Re-taking the AMCB exam
WHNP-BC certified nurses must also meet NCC continuing competency requirements every 3 years, based on a customized CE plan sent to you post-assessment.
For more information about CNM career opportunities and professional development, explore our comprehensive career resources.
Certified Nurse-Midwife Salary in Nevada
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024 data, nurse-midwives in Nevada earn competitive salaries that exceed the national median, reflecting the state’s severe workforce shortages and high cost of living in urban areas.
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $103,130 | $49.58 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,160 | $56.33 |
| Median | $134,450 | $64.64 |
| 75th Percentile | $151,880 | $73.02 |
| 90th Percentile | $171,230 | $82.32 |
Salary Context and Comparisons
- Nevada’s median CNM salary of $134,450 exceeds the national median of $128,790 by 4.4%
- The 75th percentile salary of $151,880 reflects strong earning potential for experienced practitioners
- Top earners (90th percentile) can achieve salaries exceeding $171,000 annually
- Salaries vary by region, with Las Vegas and Reno typically offering higher compensation than rural areas
Why CNMs Are in High Demand in Nevada
Nevada faces a critical shortage of maternity care providers, particularly in rural counties. As of the most recent state reports:
- 47% of Nevada counties are classified as maternity care deserts
- 15.9% of Nevada women receive inadequate prenatal care (compared to 14.8% nationally)
- 13 of 17 counties have no OB/GYN physicians
- Las Vegas was ranked the #1 metro area most at risk for OB/GYN shortage by Doximity
- Over 41% of OB/GYNs in Nevada are age 55 or older, approaching retirement
CNMs are stepping in to fill this essential gap in women’s healthcare. This growing need is reflected in the state’s job outlook, which projects a 35% growth rate for combined APRNs between 2024 and 2034, significantly above the national average of 11% for nurse-midwives specifically.
(Salary data for nurse-midwives reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2024. Figures represent state data for Nevada, not school-specific information. Job growth data provided by Projections Central and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Maternity care desert data from the March of Dimes 2024 report. Conditions in your area may vary. Information accessed January 2026.)
Certified Nurse-Midwife FAQs – Nevada
How long does it take to become a CNM in Nevada?
The whole process takes 6–8 years from start to finish. This includes earning your BSN (4 years if starting from an ADN), completing a graduate-level nurse-midwifery program (2–3 years), passing certification exams, and obtaining APRN licensure. RN-to-MSN bridge programs can shorten this timeline for nurses with an ADN.
Does Nevada offer any in-state CNM programs?
Yes. As of 2023, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) offers Nevada’s first and only ACME-accredited nurse-midwifery program. The program achieved preaccreditation in March 2023 and graduated its first students in 2025. The 53-credit MSN program is primarily online with some on-campus requirements. Many Nevada students also attend accredited online CNM programs from out-of-state schools.
Can CNMs prescribe medications in Nevada?
Yes. CNMs in Nevada have full independent prescriptive authority for Schedules III-V controlled substances immediately upon licensure. For Schedule II controlled substances, practitioners must complete either 2,000 hours or 2 years of practice, or maintain a collaborative protocol with a physician until reaching that threshold.
What are the continuing education requirements for Nevada CNMs?
You must complete 45 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years for APRN license renewal, including 15 hours in your CNM specialty. As of 2024, new requirements include 4 hours of cultural competency training and 2 hours of HIV stigma/discrimination training per cycle. Additionally, AMCB and NCC each have their continuing education modules and documentation processes for maintaining CNM and WHNP certifications.
What is the job outlook for CNMs in Nevada?
The job outlook is exceptionally strong. With fewer than 70 CNMs serving the entire state and 47% of counties classified as maternity care deserts, demand far exceeds supply. Nevada projects 35% growth for APRNs through 2034, well above national averages. The state also offers loan repayment programs up to $120,000 for practitioners serving in underserved areas.
Where can I find additional resources on becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)?
Visit our in-depth guides to help you compare MSN nurse-midwifery programs, dual-focus CNM/WHNP programs, and find accredited nurse-midwife programs that fit your needs.