Accreditation
Maternidad La Luz was the first school of midwifery accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC, 2020 E. Cherry, Flagstaff, AZ 86001), which is approved by the United States Department of Education as a federally recognized accreditation agency. the school was first accredited in 1995, and the Three-Year Program was accredited in 1999. It is currently accredited until September 2010.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756-3199; phone: 512-834-4523) has approved Maternidad La Luz as both a Midwifery Education Program and as a Licensed Birth Center.
If someone has a complaint regarding Maternidad La Luz, please contact the above addresses.
The Legalities of Midwifery
Laws and regulations for direct-entry midwives vary greatly from location to location. Anyone interested in becoming a midwife should be familiar with the laws affecting midwives in the state, province or country they expect to practice. Students are solely responsible for understanding the requirements and requesting applications for licensing in their own state, province or country. In some jurisdictions, one must be a certified nurse-midwife in order practice midwifery.
Maternidad La Luz provides assistance in fulfilling requirements for Texas, New Mexico, and California as well as other state and provincial licensing. Maternidad La Luz cannot guarantee any certification or licensing in any jurisdiction. Many challenges face midwives in the near future due to political and economic changes. The health care field is in a time of change, and there are no guarantees for employment for anyone pursuing a career in direct entry midwifery.
Maternidad La Luz school and birth center have no malpractice or liability insurance for staff or students.
NARM Requirements
Students interested in becoming a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) need to complete the minimum NARM requirements which include the following:
- Attending a minimum of 20 births as an active participant.
- Attending an additional 20 births functioning in the role of primary midwife under supervision. A minimum of three of these 20 births must provide a course of care that includes four prenatal visits, birth, one newborn exam, and one postpartum exam.
- Attending a minimum of 75 prenatal exams including 20 initial exams.
- Attending a minimum of 20 newborn exams.
- Attending a minimum of 40 postpartum exams.
- Documentation of NARM skills
- Successful completion of NARM written and practical exam
- A graduate of a Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC) program, such as Maternidad La Luz, needs to send in their diploma and pass the NARM written exam to become a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM).
For more information on NARM or the Certified Professional Midwife credential, write:
North American Registry of Midwives
5257 Rosestone Dr.
Lilburn, GA 30047
phone: 1-(888) 84-BIRTH
www.narm.org
e-mail:
info@narm.org
For an application, write to:
NARM Applications
P.O. Box 420
Summertown, TN 38483
Texas Requirements for Midwives
Maternidad La Luz's One-Year Program, approved by the State of Texas, meets the requirements to become a Licensed Midwife in Texas. Upon successful completion of the One-Year Program and the Texas state examination (NARM exam), Texas will grant licensure to midwives who are already NARM Certified Professional Midwives and have passed a course on Texas midwifery rules and regulations. Specific requirements include:
- Attending a minimum of 20 births as an active participant.
- Attending an additional 20 births functioning in the role of primary midwife under supervision.
- Attending a minimum of 75 prenatal exams including 20 initial exams.
- Attending a minimum of 20 newborn exams.
- Attending a minimum of 40 postpartum exams.
The student is advised to contact the Department of State Health Services in Austin for current information. For more information on Texas laws and a copy of the Texas Midwifery Manual, write:
Texas Department of State Health Services
The Midwifery Program
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, Texas 78756-3199
(512) 834-4523
New Mexico Licensing
Many students attending Maternidad La Luz anticipate being licensed midwives in New Mexico. The student is advised to contact the Department of Health in Santa Fe for current information and a copy of the regulations governing midwives at the following address:
Department of Health
Maternal Health Program
2040 Pacheco
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-8908
California Licensing
The California Medical Board has approved the three-year Maternidad La Luz program as a vehicle for state licensing. Students who complete the three year program are eligible to become licensed midwives in the state of California. An alternative option to the three-year program, also approved by the California Medical Board, is available to current or former MLL students in pursuit of a midwifery career in California. Students who have completed one year at MLL can challenge the Three-Year Program through a written and clinical skills examination and documentation of certain prerequisites. (See the California Challenge Process page.) This examination, called the California Challenge Process, is offered upon the mutual agreement of the applicant and MLL.
The student is advised to contact the California medical board in Sacramento for current information and a copy of the regulations governing licensed midwives at the following address:
Medical Board of California
1426 Howe Avenue, Suite 92
Sacramento, CA 95825-3236
916-263-2389
Other States, Provinces, and Countries
Maternidad La Luz graduates have been registered in Ontario and Manitoba Provinces in Canada. Any student expecting to practice in a state, province or country other than Texas, New Mexico, and California must investigate the laws and regulations governing midwifery before coming to Maternidad La Luz. Applications often need to be completed before training begins. Maternidad La Luz cannot guarantee licensing or certification in any jurisdiction.
|
