Direct Entry Midwife (DEM)
A Direct Entry Midwife is educated in the discipline of midwifery through self-study, apprenticeship, or a midwifery school. She is trained to provide the Midwives Model of Care to healthy women and newborns throughout the childbearing cycle primarily in out-of-hospital settings.

Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)
 A midwifery certification through North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) requires proof of knowledge,  experience, and/or completion of a Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC) program. Certification is contingent upon passing an exam for national certification.

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
A midwifery certification through American College of Nurse Midwives requires completion of a Master's level in Midwifery, which may or may not require a Nursing degree. There are currently 43 accredited education programs offering post-baccalaureate certificate and masters degree programs in nurse-midwifery and midwifery. A number of these programs have distance learning education options.