Registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) is required in order for an individual to practice midwifery in British Columbia. If you are a graduate from a BCCNM recognized midwifery education program, you can apply for registration to practice in one of the following registration classes:
Practising midwife registration
Midwives who hold practising registration are permitted to practice in the full scope of midwifery care in B.C. As a program graduate, you will be subject to BCCNM’s Policy on New Registrant Requirements.
Provisional midwife registration
If you do not meet all the requirements for practising midwife registration you may be eligible for provisional midwife registration. Under provisional registration, you may practice the full scope of midwifery pending a successful result of the Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination (CMRE). Provisional midwife registration may also be granted with limits and conditions while completing educational upgrading courses or a period of supervised practice during a monitored and specific time frame to address deficiencies in the knowledge, skills, or abilities required for practising midwife registration.
Application and Process
Instructions on how a graduate from a BCCNM-recognized midwifery education program can seek midwife registration are provided below. BCCNM recommends submitting applications for registration a minimum of 4-6 weeks in advance of your anticipated registration date. If you believe your application may be considered
complex, you may wish to submit your application earlier.
- 1. Prepare your documents
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To avoid delays in processing your application, prepare the following documents before you start your application. Refer to the
Policy on Continuing Competencies to ensure that your certifications and courses meet BCCNM's requirements:
- Program completion letter
- Notarized copies of
two pieces of identification
- Proof of valid certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Proof of valid certification in emergency skills workshop (ES)
- Proof of valid completion of a Fetal Health Surveillance (FHS) course
- Proof of valid completion of a Canadian neonatal resuscitation (NRP) course
- Signed
New Registrant Mentorship Agreement listing the name of an established practice and the practising midwives where you intend to address the new registrant requirements
- A letter of standing and professional conduct/verification of registration from any regulator with which you have held or currently hold registration. This must be received by BCCNM directly from the regulator.
- 2. Apply to BCCNM
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- 3. Pay fees
- Pay the application fee of $265+GST. Instruction for online payment will be provided once your application is received.
- 4. Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives Course
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Complete the
Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives Course if you have not already done so during your midwifery education. Submit your course completion certificate to BCCNM.
- 5. Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam
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Write and pass the
Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam.
- 6. Criminal record check
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Consent to a criminal record check. Instructions on how to request and consent to a criminal record check in Canada and/or other applicable jurisdictions will be provided once application is reviewed.
- 7. Pay registration fees
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Pay your registration fee. Instructions on online payment by credit card and the amount required will be provided once application is approved.
- 8. Professional liability insurance
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Obtain professional liability insurance from the
Midwives Association of BC.
- 9. Wait for confirmation of registration from BCCNM
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Once you have paid your registration fees, we will send you an email confirming that you have been granted registration. You must not practise as a midwife until you receive confirmation of registration.
Haven't received a confirmation email?
Registration will not be granted until your payment has been received and liability insurance has been confirmed. Before calling to check on the status of your application, please:
- Double-check that you submitted your application and that your payment went through.
- Check your junk mail and spam folders.
- 10. Once registered: hospital privileges and MSP
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