CODE OF VIRGINIA

REGULATION OF THE PRACTICE OF MIDWIFERY (§ 54.1-2957.9)

The Board shall adopt regulations governing the practice of midwifery, upon
consultation with the Advisory Board on Midwifery. The regulations shall (i)
address the requirements for licensure to practice midwifery, including the
establishment of standards of care, (ii) be consistent with the North American
Registry of Midwives’ current job description for the profession and the
National Association of Certified Professional Midwives’ standards of
practice, except that prescriptive authority and the possession and
administration of controlled substances shall be prohibited, (iii) ensure
independent practice, (iv) require midwives to disclose to their patients, when
appropriate, options for consultation and referral to a physician and
evidence-based information on health risks associated with birth of a child
outside of a hospital or birthing center, as defined in § 54.1-2957.03,
including risks associated with vaginal births after a prior cesarean section,
breech births, births by women experiencing high-risk pregnancies, and births
involving multiple gestation, (v) provide for an appropriate license fee, and
(vi) include requirements for licensure renewal and continuing education. Such
regulations shall not (a) require any agreement, written or otherwise, with
another health care professional or (b) require the assessment of a woman who is
seeking midwifery services by another health care professional.License renewal
shall be contingent upon maintaining a Certified Professional Midwife
certification.

HISTORY: 2005, cc. 719, 917; 2009, c. 646; 2016, c. 495.