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<chapter num="05" heading="Practice of Nurse Midwifery" title_num="10" subtitle_num="27">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Definitions.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Terms Defined.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>“ACME” means the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>“ACNM” means the American College of Nurse Midwives.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>“Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)” means a registered nurse who is certified by the Board as:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>A certified nurse midwife (CNM);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>A certified nurse practitioner (CRNP); or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>A clinical nurse specialist (CNS).</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>“AMCB” means the American Midwifery Certification Board.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>“Board” means the Board of Nursing.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>“Certification” means the permission to practice nurse midwifery granted by the Board to a registered nurse who has:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Met all the specified requirements of a national certifying body recognized by the Board; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Complied with the requirements of this chapter.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7)">
        <text>“Certified nurse midwife” means an advanced practice registered nurse who is certified by the Board to practice nurse midwifery in this State.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(8)">
        <text>“Clinical practice guidelines” standards for practice of midwifery using current guidelines established by ACNM in Standards for the Practice of Midwifery.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9)">
        <text>“Delegated medical functions” means those functions that come within the definition of “practice medicine” in the Health Occupations Article, §14-101, Annotated Code of Maryland, that have been delegated to a certified nurse midwife to perform.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(10)">
        <text>“Multistate licensure privilege” has the meaning set forth in COMAR 10.27.01.01B.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(11)">
        <text>“Newborn” means an infant in the first 28 days after birth.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(12)">
        <text>“Nurse midwifery” means the health care management of newborns and clients throughout their reproductive life cycle.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(13)">
        <text>“Physician” means an individual licensed to practice medicine in this State.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(14)">
        <text>“Registered nurse (RN)” means an individual who:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Is licensed by the Board to practice registered nursing; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Has a multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Certification.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>An applicant for certification as a nurse midwife shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Hold a current Maryland license in good standing to practice registered nursing or a multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Have graduated from a Board-approved graduate level program for nurse midwives at the Masters’ level or higher that is accredited by:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>The National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>The Commission on Nursing Education (CCNE);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>ACME; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>Any other accrediting body recognized by the Board;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Hold a current national certification as a nurse midwife from the AMCB or any other national certifying body recognized by the Board;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Submit to the Board a completed application for certification as a nurse midwife;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Submit an affidavit that the applicant agrees to comply at all times with the clinical practice guidelines in accordance with Regulation .01B(8) of this chapter when providing clinical midwifery services;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>Comply with all the requirement set forth in COMAR 10.27.01.04;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7)">
        <text>Demonstrate written and oral competency in the English language; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(8)">
        <text>Pay all fees.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>If the applicant’s nurse midwifery program was completed before July 1, 2014, and was not at a Master’s degree or higher level, but the applicant otherwise qualifies for certification, the applicant shall provide the Board with:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Verification of completion of a nurse midwifery program recognized by AMCB; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Current national certification by AMCB or any other national certifying body recognized by the Board.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Duties of the Board.">
    <text>The Board shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Maintain an up-to-date list of all certified nurse midwives in this State; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Include on the nurse midwife's registered nursing license an indication that the licensee is certified as a nurse midwife.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Required Documentation.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>A certified nurse midwife who provides clinical midwifery services across the reproductive lifespan shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Maintain a medical record for each client; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>In the case of a transfer of care to another provider or a facility, transfer the client’s medical records with the client.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>A certified nurse midwife who provides clinical midwifery services shall have available at all times for examination by the Board, written clinical practice guidelines that cover all aspects of care, practice, and quality assurance, including but not limited to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>A plan for emergency consultation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>A plan for transfer of care; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>If needed, a plan for admission of the client or newborn to a hospital within the client’s geographic area.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Practice Before Certification.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>A registered nurse who meets the qualifications to sit for the AMCB national certifying examination or any other certifying examination approved by the Board who has taken that examination and is waiting for the results of it may practice as a nurse midwife graduate before certification if the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Practice is under the supervision of a certified nurse midwife who shall be physically available to the nurse midwife graduate;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Supervising certified nurse midwife signs a written supervision agreement on the required form to provide the supervision; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Nurse midwife graduate files with the Board a copy of the admission slip to the Board-approved certifying examination and a copy of the signed supervision agreement.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>A nurse midwife graduate who has entered into a supervision agreement under this regulation shall immediately notify the Board and the supervising certified nurse midwife of the results of the Board-approved certifying examination.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>A nurse midwife graduate may not continue to practice under a supervision agreement under this regulation for more than 1 year from the filing of all documents required under §A of this regulation, or after the denial of AMCB or other Board-approved certification, whichever occurs first.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Scope of Practice.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>A certified nurse midwife who meets the requirements of Regulation .02 of this chapter may perform the following functions:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Independent management of clients appropriate to the skill and educational preparation of the certified nurse midwife and the nurse midwife's clinical practice guidelines;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Consult or collaborate with a physician or other health care provider as needed; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Refer clients with complications beyond the scope of practice of the certified nurse midwife to a licensed physician.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>A certified nurse midwife shall keep a record of all cases attended and maintain medical records in accordance with Health-General Article, Title 4, Subtitle 4, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>A certified nurse midwife has the right and obligation to refuse to perform any delegated medical act, oral or written, if, in the certified nurse midwife’s judgment, it is unsafe or an invalidly prescribed medical act or beyond the competence of the certified nurse midwife, in which case the nurse midwife shall notify the delegating physician at once.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>A certified nurse midwife shall comply with applicable State and federal law.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Nurse Midwife Peer Review Advisory Committee. — Repealed." />
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" heading="Renewal of Certification.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Certification as a nurse midwife expires at the same time as the nurse midwife's registered nursing license unless the certification is renewed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Before a nurse midwife’s certification expires, the nurse midwife may renew the certification biennially if the nurse midwife:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Is otherwise entitled to be certified;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Submits to the Board:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Documentation of a current national certification as a nurse midwife from AMCB or another national certifying body recognized by the Board; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>A completed renewal application on the form that the Board requires; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Pays all fees.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Certified nurse midwife renewal applicants who are authorized to practice registered nursing in this State under a multistate licensure privilege shall be periodically required to submit to a criminal history records check in accordance with the schedule and requirements set forth in COMAR 10.27.01.13J — N.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>The certified nurse midwife shall ensure that the Board has a record of the renewed national   certification if the national certification expires before the registered nurse license renewal date.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>Certification as a nurse midwife shall be deemed to have lapsed if the Board does not have a record of a current active national certification.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="F.">
      <text>Practicing on an expired national certification is prohibited and subject to discipline under Health Occupations Article, §8-316(a), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" heading="Compliance.">
    <text>The certified nurse midwife shall develop and comply with clinical practice guidelines as defined in Regulation .01B of this chapter.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".10" heading="Unlawful Practices.">
    <text>Pursuant to Health Occupations Article, Title 8, Subtitle 7, Annotated Code of Maryland, an individual may not:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Practice nurse midwifery unless certified under these regulations or otherwise permitted by law to engage in those activities;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Use the title nurse midwife, certified nurse midwife, or any other similar designation unless certified by the AMCB, or other certifying body approved by the Board; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Use the title certified nurse midwife unless certified by the Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".11" heading="Prescribing of Substances by a Certified Nurse Midwife.">
    <text>Pursuant to Health Occupations Article, §8-601, Annotated Code of Maryland, a certified nurse midwife may prescribe:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Substances commonly used in the practice of nurse midwifery; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Controlled substances on Schedules II-V under Criminal Law Article, §§5-403 — 5-406, Annotated Code of Maryland, commonly used in the practice of nurse midwifery; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Dispense substances prescribed in accordance with §§A and B of this regulation in the course of treating a client at a:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Nonprofit medical facility or clinic;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Health center operating on the campus of an institution of higher learning;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Public health facility;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Medical facility under contract with a State or local health department; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Facility funded with public funds.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Health Occupations Article, §§8-101, 8-205, and 8-601—8-603, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date:</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulations .01—.10 adopted as an emergency provision effective March 14, 1983 (10:11 Md. R. 970); emergency status expired July 13, 1983; adopted permanently effective October 10, 1983 (10:20 Md. R. 1787)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 amended effective September 2, 1991 (18:17 Md. R. 1919); April 10, 1995 (22:7 Md. R. 536); June 26, 2000 (27:12 Md. R. 1140)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01B amended effective March 1, 2004 (31:4 Md. R. 316)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 amended effective April 10, 1995 (22:7 Md. R. 536); June 26, 2000 (27:12 Md. R. 1140)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02B amended effective September 2, 1991 (18:17 Md. R. 1919)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 repealed and new Regulation .02 adopted effective March 1, 2004 (31:4 Md. R. 316)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03 repealed effective February 15, 1993 (20:3 Md. R. 259)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04 repealed effective April 10, 1995 (22:7 Md. R. 536)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05 amended effective February 15, 1993 (20:3 Md. R. 259); April 10, 1995 (22:7 Md. R. 536); June 26, 2000 (27:12 Md. R. 1140)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06 amended effective April 10, 1995 (22:7 Md. R. 536)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06C amended effective March 1, 2004 (31:4 Md. R. 316)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .07 amended effective April 10, 1995 (22:7 Md. R. 536); March 1, 2004 (31:4 Md. R. 316)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .07B amended effective February 15, 1993 (20:3 Md. R. 259)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .08 amended effective February 15, 1993 (20:3 Md. R. 259); April 10, 1995 (22:7 Md. R. 536)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .09 amended effective February 15, 1993 (20:3 Md. R. 259); April 10, 1995 (22:7 Md. R. 536); June 26, 2000 (27:12 Md. R. 1140)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .10 amended effective April 10, 1995 (22:7 Md. R. 536)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .11 adopted effective September 2, 1991 (18:17 Md. R. 1919)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .11 amended effective April 10, 1995 (22:7 Md. R. 536); March 1, 2004 (31:4 Md. R. 316)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Chapter revised as an emergency provision effective January 1, 2010 (37:6 Md. R. 474); revised permanently effective June 28, 2010 (37:13 Md. R. 852)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Chapter revised effective September 29, 2014 (41:19 Md. R. 1079)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01B amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667); October 13, 2025 (Md. R. 1001)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06B amended effective October 13, 2025 (Md. R. 1001)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06D adopted effective October 13, 2025 (Md. R. 1001)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .07 repealed effective February 22, 2026 (52:17 Md. R. 875)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .08 amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .09 amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .10 amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .11 amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Annotation: COMAR 10.11 Midwifery was replaced by COMAR 10.27.05 Practice of Nurse Midwifery</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Annotation: COMAR 10.11 Midwifery adopted effective February 1, 1957; repealed effective July 12, 1987 (14:14 Md. R. 1572)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>