It’s been a whirlwind of travel the past three weeks from DC to Boston to DC to Florida. Every event attended, whether related to midwifery or not, somehow circled to discussion about the maternal health crisis, midwives role improving outcomes, and barriers to providing full scope care.
Today the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) released the 2025 Annual Report. All reports (Annual and Demographic) can be found on the website.
Most disturbing in the midst of a serious workforce shortage is demographic information our midwifery organizations should be concerned about.
WHY is the first-time, national board certification exam pass rate lowering year/year, over many years? The overall first-time pass rate for all exam attempts in 2025 was 69.8%, decreasing from 73.0% in 2024. That equates to *313 candidates not able to enter the workforce at this time.
WHY of the nearly 15,000 certified CNMs and CMs are only 6,000 identified as working full-time?
WHY are nearly 10% of midwives working full-time making < $100,000/year?
Approximately 41% of the CNM/CM midwife workforce is over 50.
We can look at the value of this report in many ways but only if willing to acknowledge significant issues. Issues that span challenges from entry into the profession, salary and work expectations, and acknowledging the rapid aging-out of midwives.
WHO will call the question and gather voices to think about what is Possible? I’m in, are you!