Last Updated: May 2025 | Reviewed by Abbie Jacobs
If you’re a registered nurse in South Carolina looking to advance your career into women’s health and prenatal care, becoming a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) is a decisive next step. This guide will walk you through how to become a nurse midwife in South Carolina, including licensure, certification, program pathways, and career outlook.
This guide covers everything from choosing a nurse-midwife program in South Carolina to earning national CNM certification and launching your career.
“I was able to complete my CNM program online while working full-time and doing clinicals at MUSC. It was intense, but so worth it—now I support women throughout their pregnancies in a community I love.”
— Jessica R., CNM, Charleston, SC
Nurse-midwives have a rich legacy in South Carolina, dating back to the trailblazing work of Maude Callen, who was featured in Life magazine in 1951. Her story helped ignite a movement that continues today as demand for Certified Nurse-Midwives steadily grows across the state.
The U.S. Department of Labor projects a 33% increase in CNM jobs in South Carolina by 2028—nearly triple the average for other careers. As of May 2023, certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) in the state earn an average salary of $99,590, with experienced midwives earning significantly more.
Steps to Becoming a Certified Nurse-Midwife in South Carolina
Step 1. Earn a Qualifying Master’s Degree or Higher in Nurse-Midwifery
The South Carolina Board of Nursing requires CNMs to graduate from an accredited nurse-midwifery program approved by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME).
These graduate programs can be completed online, making it easier for working RNs to attend class while remaining employed. Students complete clinical hours at hospitals and birthing centers across South Carolina.
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 |
South Carolina also supports dual-focus CNM/WHNP programs, which allow students to become certified in both nurse-midwifery and women’s health nurse practitioner roles.
South Carolina is home to several accredited nurse-midwifery programs, including fully online and hybrid degree options. These CNM degree pathways serve working RNs pursuing an MSN, DNP, or post-graduate certification in nurse-midwifery and women’s health.
Step 2. Take and Pass the National Certification Examination
All aspiring Certified Nurse-Midwives in South Carolina must earn national certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
The exam includes 175 multiple-choice questions and covers the following topics:
- Antepartum
- Intrapartum
- Postpartum
- Newborn care
- Women’s health and primary care
- Gynecology
Those pursuing a dual-focus CNM/WHNP pathway may also take the NCC’s WHNP-BC exam to become a certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP).
Step 3. Apply for APRN Licensure Through the South Carolina Board of Nursing
After earning your graduate degree and national certification, you’ll need to apply for licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in South Carolina.
- Submit the APRN licensure application (PDF or online)
- Include a Supervising Physician Agreement with an OB/GYN specialist
- Apply for prescriptive authority by documenting 45 hours in pharmacotherapeutics and registering with the DEA
You can verify your license status anytime via the SC License Lookup Portal.
Step 4. Explore Nurse-Midwife Career Options and Maintain Credentials
Once licensed, Certified Nurse-Midwives in South Carolina can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, birthing centers, private practices, and OB/GYN clinics.
Notable employers include:
- Lexington Medical Center – West Columbia
- Palmetto Health Baptist – Columbia
- Roper Saint Francis – Charleston
- Charleston Birth Place – North Charleston
- Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) – Charleston
To maintain certification and licensure:
- Renew your APRN license every 2 years (by April 30 of even years)
- Complete 30 hours of CE (60 if dual-certified)
- Complete 20 hours in pharmacotherapeutics to renew prescriptive authority
- Maintain certification with the AMCB or NCC
Salaries for Certified Nurse-Midwives in South Carolina
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for nurse-midwives in South Carolina was $99,590 as of May 2023.
- Starting Salary: $73,940
- Average Salary: $99,590
- Experienced Salary: $130,880
Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord Area:
- Starting: $87,760
- Average: $108,790
- Experienced: $127,850
(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.)
Explore More Resources
To explore additional educational opportunities or learn more about nurse-midwife education options, check out the following:
- Dual-Focus Nurse-Midwife/Women’s Health NP Programs
- ACME-Accredited Nurse-Midwife Programs
- Master’s in Nurse-Midwifery Programs
- MidwifeSchooling.com – Home
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a Certified Nurse-Midwife in South Carolina?
Typically, 6–8 years total: 4 years for a BSN (or RN + bridge program), and 2–3 years for a master’s degree in nurse-midwifery.
Can I become a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in South Carolina entirely online?
You can complete didactic coursework online, but clinical hours must be completed in person at approved sites across the state.
What is the difference between a CNM and a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner?
CNMs focus on pregnancy, labor, and delivery; WHNPs provide broader women’s healthcare. Dual-certification programs allow for both roles.
Does South Carolina allow nurse-midwives to prescribe medication?
Yes. With appropriate pharmacology training and physician supervision, certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) in South Carolina can earn full prescriptive authority.
Where do CNMs typically work in South Carolina?
Most work in hospitals, but many also serve in birthing centers, OB/GYN clinics, and women’s health practices statewide.