American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) Certified Nurse-Midwife Examination

The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) Certified Nurse-Midwife Examination is the U.S. certification assessment for graduates preparing to practice as certified nurse-midwives (CNMs). It evaluates whether candidates have the entry-level knowledge needed for safe nurse-midwifery care; it is not an admissions test for a midwifery program. Eligibility generally depends on completing an appropriately accredited nurse-midwifery education program and meeting AMCB application requirements. Candidates should check AMCB’s current handbook for the exact eligibility documentation and application process.

The CNM certification exam assesses clinical judgment across the scope of nurse-midwifery practice. Important areas include antepartum assessment and prenatal care, intrapartum care and labor management, fetal heart rate monitoring, and obstetric complications and emergencies, alongside other aspects of midwifery care. Questions ask candidates to apply knowledge to clinical situations, not simply recall facts. For the current format, content outline, and exam-day rules, use AMCB’s official candidate materials; prepare by reviewing the blueprint and strengthening both clinical reasoning and areas of weaker knowledge.