Apply for a New Midwife License

Required Training and Education

Basic Midwifery Education

You must provide with your application materials documentation showing your completion of one of the following training pathways:

1. Option 1 – Obtain a CPM certification from NARM
2. Option 2 – Complete a MEAC Accredited Education Course
3. Option 3 – Complete a TDLR Approved Education Course:
   • Association of Texas Midwives Midwifery Training Program
   • Beautiful Beginning Midwife Training Center

Pre-License Continuing Education Course

You must provide proof of completing a continuing education course on the current Texas Midwifery Basic Information and Instructors Manual (PDF).

Any midwifery association that grants continuing education credit may offer a course on the Manual.

The Association of Texas Midwives (ATM) offers this course by correspondence.

Newborn Blood Screenings

Midwives are responsible for ensuring that each child delivered receives newborn screening tests .

You must provide with your application materials information on how you will collect blood samples for screenings. You may either:

• Provide proof of training in the collection of newborn screening specimens and include with your application a completed Newborn Screening Specimen Collection Certification Form (PDF), or
• Provide proof of entering into an agreement with a physician or healthcare facility to collect blood specimens and include with your application materials a completed Newborn Screening Agreement for Newborn Babies of Midwife Clients (PDF)

This requirement originates from Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 33 and Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 37.

CPR certification

You must provide with your application materials proof of CPR certification from one of the following sources:

• CPR for Healthcare Providers - American Heart Association
• CPR for Healthcare Providers – Red Cross
• CPR for Healthcare Providers – National Safety Council

Neonatal Resuscitation

You must provide with your application materials proof of current certification for neonatal resuscitation, §§1 - 4, from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Human Trafficking Training

You must provide proof of completing the human trafficking prevention training course, required under Occupations Code, Chapter 116, from a HHSC-approved provider.

Exams

All applicants for initial licensure must submit proof of completing the Texas Midwives Jurisprudence Examination with the license application materials.

If you do not hold a CPM designation, you will be required to take the NARM examination after submitting your application form.

Application and Fee

To apply for a new midwives license, submit the online application or submit a completed Midwife License Application Form (PDF) along with the $195 application fee and required documents.

You will have 1 year from the date the application was submitted to complete all licensing requirements. If you have not met all licensing requirements within the 1 year period, you will be required to submit a new application and all required materials in addition to paying a new application fee.

If you need to send a document after submitting your application, please scan the document and send it to TDLR using our online customer service form.

Applicants with Criminal Convictions

If you have ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (other than a minor traffic violation) or pleaded guilty or no contest (resulting in a deferred adjudication) to any in-state, out-of-state or federal criminal offense, you must provide a completed Criminal History Questionnaire (PDF) along with your application materials.

The department will conduct a criminal history background check on all persons who apply for or renew a license. Criminal convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Licenses may be denied based on the nature of the conviction and how long prior to the application the conviction occurred. Depending on your criminal history, a review can take from one to six weeks to complete.

Individuals may request TDLR review their criminal background before actually applying for a license. TDLR uses the same process for this pre-application evaluation as the process described below. See the Criminal History Evaluation Letter page for more information.

Please see the Guidelines for License Applicants with Criminal Convictions, which describe the process that TDLR uses to determine whether a criminal conviction renders an applicant an unsuitable candidate for the license, or whether a conviction warrants revocation or suspension of a license previously granted.