Midwife
OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Who is the registering body responsible for regulating Midwives in Alberta?
- What are the registration requirements for midwives?
- What is the Prior Learning and Experience Assessment (PLEA)?
- What is the Canadian Midwifery Examination?
- What are the educational requirements for Midwives in Alberta?
- What training programs or services are available for internationally educated midwives?
- What information resources are available for Midwives in Alberta?
Who is the registering body responsible for regulating Midwives in Alberta?
InWhat are the registration requirements for midwives?
In order to obtain full (that is unrestricted registration) midwives must:
2. Have actively maintained the practice of midwifery.
3. Have graduated from a recognized school of midwifery and completed a baccalaureate level degree or specified courses at first year university level with 70% grade in each course. Currently the only recognized schools are Canadian. Schools located in other countries are assessed individually
4. Have neonatal resuscitation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification and obstetrical emergency skills.
5. Complete a Prior Learning & Experience Assessment (PLEA) organized by the Midwifery Health Disciplines Committee.
6. Successfully pass the Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination (CMRE).
7. Apply to the Midwifery Health Disciplines Committee for registration.
8. Have a membership with the Alberta Association of Midwives.
Temporary Registration
The Midwifery Health Disciplines Committee provides a provisional license for candidates eligible for the PLEA. This provisional license enables the midwife to undertake a restricted practice until the next PLEA process occurs. The candidate requires a supervising midwife/practice to support her provisional status.
What is the Prior Learning and Experience Assessment (PLEA)?
This is the process by which a candidate demonstrates that they have the necessary education, skills and experience to practice safely in the Alberta Healthcare System and so are eligible to take the assessment examinations. The PLEA consists of an application for registration, submission of a detailed portfolio. If the portfolio demonstrates apparently adequate education and experience the candidate is allowed to move on to the written and practical exams. Written exams are offered twice a year in May and September/October. Practical assessment is run when there are enough applicants. Application forms may be obtained from the Midwifery Registrar.Note: It is necessary for the candidate to be highly proficient in professional English and understand the Canadian model of midwifery.
What is the Canadian Midwifery Examination?
Each province and territory is responsible for ensuring that Canadian and internationally educated applicants for midwifery registration meet an acceptable level of competence before they begin to practice in
What are the educational requirements for Midwives in Alberta?
(Note: Regulatory bodies compare international education and experience to Canadian standards)
In
- McMaster University, Ryerson University and Laurentian University jointly offer a four year Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) degree program in midwifery in Ontario.
- The University of British Columbia offers a four year Bachelor of Midwifery degree program.
- The University College of the North offers a four year Bachelor of Midwifery degree program in The Pas and Norway House in Manitoba. This program is designed to train Aboriginal midwives to live and work in Aboriginal communities.
- The University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres offers a four year, French language bachelor's degree program in midwifery.
Additional Occupational Information
For more information on occupational duties and wages, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service at www.alis.gov.ab.ca and search for Midwife under occupational information. Information is also available at the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Consortium at www.cmrc-ccosf.ca
What training programs or services are available for internationally educated midwives?
The Multi-jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging Project is a bridging program for qualified midwives educated outside of Canada. It assists internationally educated midwives in preparing to meet the requirements for registering and practicing as a midwife in
The International Midwifery Pre-Registration Program (IMPP) offered by Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chan School of Continuing Education.
What information resources are available for Midwives in Alberta?
Alberta Association of Midwives (AAM) website: http://www.alberta-midwives.com/aam/Canadian Association of Midwives website: http://www.canadianmidwives.org




