Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are registered nurses (RNs) who have specialized education and midwifery training and certification. Nurse-midwives care for women before and after pregnancy, deliver babies in hospitals and in homes, provide family planning and birth control counseling, and provide gynecological services such as physical and breast exams, Pap smears, pelvic exams, and preventive health screening. They are qualified to order tests and prescribe medications.

Nurse-midwives are licensed by the state in which they practice. Most nurse-midwives are nationally certified in their specialty area.