Become a Virginia Licensed APRN CNM or Licensed CM
On March 24, 2025, Governor Youngkin signed HB1352, HB1923, and HB1904. These bills address CM licensing, medical staff designation for CMs/CNMs, general care newborn nursery staffing for CMs/CNMs, and insurance reimbursement for CMs from private insurance companies. In addition, the budget amendments for the 2024-2026 budget included an item mandating reimbursement under Medicaid for CMs. Virginia is the first state in the nation to recognize CNMs, CMs, and CPMs as independent healthcare providers and reimburse services at 100% of the fee schedule!
Beginning July 1, 2025, CMs and CNMs will have identical laws and regulations for practice and receive 100% reimbursement for services from private insurance and Medicaid.
*An independent practice midwife, as defined in § 54.1-2957 means a licensed CNM or LCM who is authorized to practice without a practice agreement and has practiced independently for at least 2 years.
Note: independent practice does NOT imply or mean that midwives do not provide team-based, collaborative care that includes the woman or person in care and physicians or other healthcare providers for routine or urgent consultation, collaborative management, or referral based on the needs and preferences of the individual. Such practice is in accordance with the ACNM Standards for the Practice of Midwifery and other Virginia practice laws and regulations governing advanced practice midwifery by CNMs and CMs.
Regulations from the Board of Nursing for CNMs and CMs and from the Department of Health and Department of Medicaid Assistance Services are anticipated later this summer.
Virginia ACNM created templates based on the laws and regulations governing advanced practice midwifery.
For CNMs applying for APRN CNM licensure in Virginia from other states who have already practiced >1,000 since July 1, 2021 with a practice agreement, complete the Attestation for Independent Practice and submit it wherever you submit your license (e.g. hospitals for privileging, health plans for credentialing, pharmaceutical or lab companies for accounts).
The guidance documents were developed by the Advisory Board of Midwifery specifically for Licensed Midwives (CPMs). These specific statements/documents are not required in the Code or Regulations for CNMs or CMs. They are shared here for example and guidance only.
Sample language for hospital by-laws can be found here. [coming soon]