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AMCB Certified Midwife Exam Practice Test

140 questions available

The AMCB Certified Midwife (CM) Exam is the national certification credential for midwives in the United States, signifying mastery of the core competencies for safe, evidence-based midwifery practice. Administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB), this rigorous examination validates that a candidate possesses the essential knowledge, skills, and judgment required for entry-level midwifery care across the lifespan, including antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn, and gynecological/primary care. Achieving the CM credential demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of the profession and is a prerequisite for licensure in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Certification is not merely an academic milestone; it is a public assurance of quality and safety, distinguishing certified midwives as qualified healthcare providers who integrate the art and science of midwifery within a collaborative healthcare system. Holding this certification establishes a foundation of professional credibility and is a cornerstone for a career dedicated to improving health outcomes for childbearing individuals and their families.

Certification exam
175 Exam questions
4 hours Time Limit
Practice bank
140 Practice Questions
2 hours 20 minutes Practice Time
Start Practice
The bank 140 Practice questions checked against the official objectives.
qf-import140 practice questionsBlueprint 1.0Bank updated 2026-05-04

Sample Questions

Try a few questions to see what the full exam is like.

Postpartum

A client 5 days postpartum after epidural reports a severe positional headache that improves when lying flat and worsens sitting up. BP is 118/74, neuro exam is normal, and she has mild neck stiffness. What is the best next step?

Antepartum

A 22-week client with a prior spontaneous birth at 32 weeks has a transvaginal cervical length of 18 mm and intermittent pelvic pressure. Membranes are intact and there is no bleeding. Which response best reflects midwifery management?

Antepartum

A 10-week client asks why carrier screening is being offered when neither partner knows of any family history. She has limited insurance coverage and wants to choose tests that are routinely recommended rather than ancestry assumptions. Which counseling is most accurate?

Intrapartum

A laboring client needs GBS prophylaxis. She reports anaphylaxis to penicillin, and the prenatal culture shows clindamycin resistance. Vancomycin is available. What is the most appropriate antibiotic approach?

Primary Care

A 23-year-old at an annual visit reports fatigue and heavy menses since menarche. Hemoglobin is 10.4 g/dL, MCV is low, ferritin is low, and pregnancy test is negative. She eats little meat and has no GI symptoms. Which plan is most appropriate?

Why This Certification Opens Doors

Earning the AMCB CM credential is a critical differentiator for career advancement and professional legitimacy. It is the industry-standard benchmark that validates your expertise to employers, healthcare institutions, state licensing boards, and, most importantly, to the families you serve. This certification unlocks licensure, expands employment opportunities in hospitals, birth centers, and clinics, and is often linked to increased professional autonomy, reimbursement eligibility, and leadership roles. It signifies a recognized level of competency that fosters trust within interdisciplinary teams and positions you as a committed expert in the specialized field of midwifery.

Exam Blueprint

Each domain is weighted to match the real certification exam, so a full practice simulation predicts your result.

01Antepartum
21%
02Intrapartum
21%
03Gynecology
19%
04Postpartum
18%
05Primary Care
11%
06Newborn
10%

Exam Details 4 hours

Vendor qf-import
Time Limit 4 hours
Exam questions 175
Question Types Multiple choice (100%), Scenario-based (75%)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the eligibility requirements to sit for the AMCB Certified Midwife Exam?

Candidates must graduate from a midwifery education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). This includes the successful completion of both didactic and clinical components. You must apply directly to the AMCB, which will verify your graduation and eligibility before authorizing you to schedule the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center.

How is the exam structured and what is the format?

The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions, of which 150 are scored and 25 are pretest questions. Candidates have 4 hours to complete the computer-based test. Questions are designed to assess the application of knowledge and clinical judgment across the Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice, covering areas like antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn, gynecology, and primary care.

What is the passing standard for the exam?

The AMCB uses a criterion-referenced passing point, which is a standard set by subject matter experts to reflect the minimum level of knowledge required for safe, entry-level practice. It is not a curved score. You will receive a pass/fail result, and if you pass, you are certified for a five-year cycle before recertification is required.

How does CM certification differ from the Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) credential?

Both the CM and CNM are nationally recognized credentials issued by the AMCB that meet the same core competencies for midwifery practice. The primary distinction is in the educational pathway: CMs are educated in the discipline of midwifery, while CNMs are educated in both nursing and midwifery. Both credentials qualify for licensure as midwives and have identical scopes of practice in states where both are recognized.

What is the process for maintaining certification after passing the exam?

AMCB certification is maintained through a five-year cycle Certification Maintenance Program (CMP). This requires the completion of continuing education units (CEUs) or retaking the certification exam. The AMCB provides specific guidelines for acceptable CE activities, which must include topics in pharmacology and professional ethics.