This law states that if someone meets the qualifications and is licensed according to the rules in the chapter, the board will give them a certificate to work as a nurse-midwife.

If you want to become a certified nurse-midwife, you need to follow the specific rules in this article as well as the general rules of the chapter it's in.

This law states that anyone applying for a certification in midwifery needs to prove they’ve met education standards set by the board. The law also requires the board to create a Nurse-Midwifery Advisory Committee made up of experienced nurse-midwives and physicians. This committee is responsible for advising the board on midwifery practices, education, and standards of care. They also advise when disciplinary actions against nurse-midwives are considered. If the board has trouble appointing members to the committee, efforts should continue to maintain its ability to provide guidance.

If a midwife received their certificate from the Medical Board of California before this law came into effect, only that board can renew the certificate.

This law makes it clear that if someone already has a midwife's certificate from the Medical Board of California when this law went into effect, they can continue to practice midwifery without any issue.

This law section outlines the roles and responsibilities of nurse-midwives in California. Nurse-midwives can handle normal pregnancies and births, but must work with doctors if complications arise. They can also provide various types of women's health care, including family planning and postpartum care. For complex cases, nurse-midwives need agreements with doctors for collaboration and emergency situations. They're permitted to attend births outside hospitals, but cannot use tools like forceps during deliverance. Nurse-midwives must document their work and refer emergencies to doctors. This law clarifies that nurse-midwives aren't practicing medicine, and explains conditions for hospital privileges.

This law allows certified nurse-midwives in California to prescribe and order medications, including some controlled substances, under certain conditions. They can provide these medications if it's part of their usual care or at specific healthcare facilities, such as clinics and hospitals. To do so, nurse-midwives need a special number and additional certifications, including pharmacology training and registration with drug enforcement authorities. This ensures they're competent in managing medication, including potential risks like addiction. The law treats their orders like doctor-prescribed prescriptions, giving them the authority to procure and administer necessary medical supplies and tests.

This section allows nurse-midwives to perform certain medical procedures like cutting and repairing during childbirth, specifically episiotomies and small tears in the perineum. However, if complications arise, they must refer the patient to a doctor right away. They must also ensure that patients who need more intensive care than they can provide, or emergency care when a doctor isn't available, receive the proper attention immediately.

If you apply for or renew a special professional license number, the board may charge you up to $1,500 for the first application and up to $1,000 for renewals. If you miss the deadline for renewal, there might be an extra penalty fee of up to $500.

This law requires certified nurse-midwives to provide detailed information to their prospective patients and obtain their informed consent. They need to disclose that they are independent practitioners not supervised by a doctor, their license status, practice settings, liability coverage status, and conditions requiring consultation with or transfer to a doctor. They must outline plans for managing emergencies and provide information on regulatory laws and complaint procedures. Patients and midwives must sign these disclosures, which become part of the medical record. This requirement doesn't apply to births intended to occur in hospitals.

This law requires certified nurse-midwives to report detailed information to the State Department of Public Health about certain out-of-hospital births and any complications or transfers during labor or postpartum. The data must be submitted within 90 days if a mother or newborn is transferred to a hospital, or in the event of a maternal, fetal, or neonatal death. The information includes details about the midwife, parents, child, and the circumstances surrounding the birth and any hospital transfers. The department will use this data to compile reports for the Legislature, ensuring confidentiality and no personal disclosures. If midwives do not comply, they could face disciplinary actions. However, these provisions only take effect if the Legislature allocates funds for implementation.

This law ensures that a nurse-midwife in California won't lose their certification or face disciplinary action just for performing an abortion, as long as they follow the rules set in the state's Reproductive Privacy Act. Even if a nurse-midwife has been disciplined or convicted in another state solely for performing an abortion, California won't hold that against them when applying for or maintaining certification here.

This law outlines how nurse-midwifery certificates in California need to be renewed every two years, around the holder's birthday. If you miss renewing it, your certificate will expire but can be reactivated within eight years by paying the fees and proving your qualifications are up to date. During those eight years, you don't need to take another exam for reinstatement, but if you wait longer, the board might ask you to pass a test to ensure you're fit to continue working as a nurse-midwife.