There are three types of midwives with varying levels of education and experience. Here is a guide

There are three types of midwives with varying levels of education and experience. Here is a guide to the types of midwives practicing in most states:
& quot;Direct-entry & quot; midwives, sometimes called lay or granny midwives, are licensed in some states, but are not required to become nurses before training to be midwives. They often apprentice with another direct-entry midwife. The Midwifery Education and Accreditation Council is currently accrediting direct-entry midwifery educational programs and apprenticeships in the United States. Direct-entry midwives' legal status varies, according to state, and they practice most often in birth centers and in homes. In Pennsylvania and Ohio they are considered alegal, which means it's not legal or illegal to be a direct-entry midwife.Certified Professional Midwives may gain their midwifery education through a variety of routes. They must have their midwifery skills and experience evaluated through the North American Registry of Midwives certification process and pass the NARM Written Examination and Skills Assessment. The legal status of these nationally credentialed direct-entry midwives varies by state. In some of the states where they are also individually licensed, midwives' services are reimbursable through Medicaid and private insurance carriers. Certified Nurse-Midwives are educated in both nursing and midwifery. After attending an educational program accredited by the American College of Nurse Midwives Certification Council, they must pass the ACC examination and can be licensed in the individual states in which they practice most often in hospitals and birth centers.
Source: Midwives Alliance of North America