By the South Carolina Midwives directory team · Official sources reviewed September 17, 2026. This is an administrative research guide, not a clinical assessment.
Certification and licensure answer different questions
National certification identifies a credential issued by a certifying organization. State licensure concerns authorization to practice under the state’s rules. Check both where applicable, using the individual clinician’s name—not only the business name.
CNM: Certified Nurse-Midwife
The American Midwifery Certification Board certifies nurse-midwives. Its certification eligibility includes graduate education and an active registered-nurse license for CNM candidates. In South Carolina, start your state license check with the Board of Nursing’s APRN resources.
AMCB certification information ↗ · AMCB credential verification ↗ · SC APRN licensing information ↗
CPM: Certified Professional Midwife
The North American Registry of Midwives issues the CPM credential and maintains a public credential directory. A CPM credential and a South Carolina license are separate checks; do not treat one as proof of the other.
About the CPM credential ↗ · NARM credential verification ↗
LM: Licensed Midwife
LM refers to a state license rather than a national certification. South Carolina’s Department of Public Health provides midwifery licensing resources. Ask for the clinician’s license number and confirm the current record with the relevant authority. A practice may report both LM and CPM for the same person.
A birth center has a separate check
For a proposed birth-center delivery, confirm the facility name and address, then use South Carolina’s birth-center licensing resources. Checking a clinician’s credential does not establish a facility’s current status.
SC birth-center licensing resources ↗
Before you book
- Request the full names, credentials and license numbers of the clinicians who may attend, including backup clinicians.
- Check national certification and the relevant state license. Match the person, license type and current status.
- Ask about the exact birth location and who will be responsible for care if plans change.
- If a record is missing or unclear, contact the issuing organization before drawing a conclusion.
What our badges mean
“Public sources reviewed” means our directory team reviewed linked information. “Confirmed by practice” means business details were confirmed through a verified practice connection. Neither label means we independently verified licensure or assessed clinical care. Individual profiles disclose the license-check status separately.
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