"Midwife" means any person who provides primary maternity care by affirmative act or conduct prior to, during, and subsequent to childbirth, and who is not licensed as a doctor of medicine or osteopathy or certified nurse midwife.
"Practicing midwifery" means providing primary maternity care that is consistent with a midwife's training, education, and experience to women and their newborns throughout the childbearing cycle, and identifying and referring women or their newborns who require medical care to an appropriate practitioner.
Review state laws and regulations that apply to the board and Licensed Midwives.
Read the Midwifery formulary and best practices for administration of medication.
To apply to practice as a Licensed Midwife, visit the application wizard. For other forms check the applications and forms page.
| Date | Event | Agenda | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 24 2025 10:00AM (Fri) | Advisory Board on Midwifery | ||
| Jun 13 2025 10:00AM (Fri) | Advisory Board on Midwifery | ||
| Feb 14 2025 10:00AM (Fri) | Advisory Board on Midwifery | ||
| Oct 11 2024 10:00AM (Fri) | Advisory on Midwifery | Agenda | Draft Minutes |
| Jun 7 2024 10:00AM (Fri) | Advisory on Midwifery - Cancelled | Agenda | |
| Feb 9 2024 10:00AM (Fri) | Advisory on Midwifery - Cancelled |
To view other board meetings visit the board's full calendar.
Rebecca Banks, LM, Chair
Great Falls
1st Term expires: 6/30/23
Ildiko Baugus, LM, Vice-Chair
Chesapeake
1st Term expires: 6/30/25
Jennifer Green, CPM
Virginia Beach
1st Term expires: 6/30/28
Katie Greene, Citizen
Midlothian
1st Term expires: 6/30/27
Ami Keatts, MD
Staunton
2nd Term expires: 6/30/23
1. When did state licensure become effective?
Regulations requiring state licensure for certified professional midwives became effective December 21, 2005.
2. Who is required to have state licensure to practice?
Anyone who practices midwifery or uses the title of licensed midwife.
3. What are the requirements for licensure?
Current certification as a CPM, a report from NARM indicating whether there has ever been any adverse action taken against your certification and, if licensed or certified in other jurisdictions, a status report of licensure or certification.
4. Does your state have reciprocity?
No. An applicant must meet the education and examination requirements to become state licensed.
5. How can I obtain an application for state license and how long does the process take?
Applications can be printed from the board’s website in the Applications and Forms section or you may call the board office at 804-367-4600. The average time to process an application is 6 to 8 weeks.
6. When do I have to renew my state license and how long does it take to process?
Your state license must be renewed biennially during your birth month in each odd-numbered year. The fee is $312.00. The additional fee for late renewal of an active license is $105.00. A current license is printed, mailed and delivered to your address of record within 7 to 10 business days. If you do not receive your updated license within four weeks of payment, contact the board office.
7. I am applying for a license/certification in another state that requires verification of my Virginia license. What is the process for verification?
For years, the Virginia Board of Medicine has been leveraging technology and moving towards paperless processes, one of which is the Board’s verification of your professional license. On April 13, 2020, the Board of Medicine switched to digital verification of licenses. The process includes the use of License Lookup and a letter of explanation to be included with your verification to third parties.
License Lookup is the Department of Health Professions system that provides primary-source public licensing and discipline information in real-time, 24 hours a day, free of charge. The information meets the requirements of the Joint Commission. You can print the licensing information and discipline information, if applicable, for scanning and sending to the entity that needs your license verification. A letter of “explanation of process” can be printed and sent with the verification as authentication of the process to the entity.
If you are unable to locate your information on License Lookup, you can email the Board at medbd@dhp.virginia.gov
8. What if I had not notified you of my change of address and the renewal form was sent to the old address?
If you do not receive a notice to renew, you will need to contact the board office at 804-367-4600 for instructions.
9. What if my renewal payment is not received by the deadline?
An additional fee for processing a late renewal will be imposed. The license will not be updated until the additional fee is received.
10. I have mailed my renewal form to you. When can I expect to receive my new wallet card?
A renewal license certificate with the wallet card attached is generated upon receipt of the renewal fee. It should reach the licensees address of record within 7 to 10 business days.
11. I am going out of the country for a year. Can I renew early?
A license can only be updated within 60 days prior to the expiration date. Early renewal for military deployment may be considered. Call 804-367-4600.
12. What do I have to do to notify the board of an upcoming name change?
Name changes must be submitted in writing with a copy of legal documentation of name change. Requests may be faxed to 804-527-4426.
13. I have not received my renewal license certificate for the current year. What do I need to do?
Contact the board office at 804-367-4600.
14. Can you fax renewal forms to me?
No.
15. May I verify state licensure online?
Yes. Go to our License Lookup. For instructions on verifying your license to another state/jurisdiction, please see FAQ #7.
16. Does the Virginia Board have a newsletter?
The Board publishes a Board Brief periodically. Board briefs can be found on our website.
17. May I renew my Virginia state license online?
Yes, you are able to renew during your renewal cycle through the Online Licensing website.
18. May I change my address online?
Yes. Visit the Online Licensing site for more details.
19. If I want to file a complaint, may I obtain a complaint form online?
Yes, visit the Enforcement section of the DHP web to get the form and you may email your complaint to enfcomplaints@dhp.virginia.gov.
20. Can I renew by license in an inactive status?
Yes. The fee for biennial inactive license renewal is $168.00. The additional fee for late renewal of an inactive license is $55.00.
21. What are the CE requirements for renewal?
Renewal in a current/active status requires attestation of current CPM certification by NARM.
Virginia Board of Medicine
medbd@dhp.virginia.gov | Contact the Board
William L. Harp, MD, Executive Director
John R. Clements, DPM, President
