Chapter N 4

Register June 2006 No. 606

Chapter N 4

LICENSURE OF NURSE-MIDWIVES

N 4.01   Authority and intent.

N 4.02   Definitions.

N 4.025   Licensure and exceptions.

N 4.03   Qualifications for licensure.

N 4.04   Application for licensure.

N 4.043   License renewal.

N 4.05   Temporary permits.

N 4.06   Scope of practice.

N 4.07   Limitations on the scope of practice.

N 4.09   Health care facilities where practice shall occur.

N 4.10   Malpractice insurance coverage.

Ch. N 4 Note Note: Chapter N 6 as it existed on September 30, 1985 was renumbered Chapter N 4, effective October 1, 1985.

N 4.01 N 4.01 Authority and intent.

N 4.01(1) (1) The rules in this chapter are adopted pursuant to authority of ss. 15.08 (5) (b) and 441.15 (3) (c), Stats., and interpret s. 441.15, Stats.

N 4.01(2) (2) The intent of the board of nursing in adopting rules in this chapter is to specify all of the following:

N 4.01(2)(a) (a) Requirements for licensure as a nurse-midwife and renewal of a license to practice nurse-midwifery.

N 4.01(2)(b) (b) The scope of practice of nurse-midwifery.

N 4.01(2)(c) (c) Requirements for health care facilities where the practice of nurse-midwifery may occur.

N 4.01(2)(d) (d) Malpractice insurance requirements for nurse-midwives.

N 4.01 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1981, No. 312, eff. 1-1-82; am. (2), Register, May, 1990, No. 413, eff. 6-1-90; correction in (1) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, May, 1990, No. 413; CR 03-009: am (2), Register November 2003 No. 575, eff 12-1-03; CR 20-065: am. (1), renum. (2) to (2) (intro.) and am, cr. (2) (a) to (d) Register January 2022 No. 793, eff. 2-1-22.

N 4.02 N 4.02 Definitions. As used in this chapter:

N 4.02(1) (1) “Board” means board of nursing.

N 4.02(2m) (2m) “Collaboration” has the meaning given in s. 441.15 (1) (a), Stats.

N 4.02(4) (4) “Complications” means conditions specified in a written agreement under s. N 4.06 (2) that jeopardize the health or life of a patient and deviate from normal.

N 4.02(5) (5) “Direct supervision” means immediate availability to continually coordinate, direct and inspect at first hand the practice of another.

N 4.02(5e) (5e) “Hardship” includes the inability to take or complete a scheduled examination because of illness, family illness or death, accident, or natural disaster.

N 4.02(5m) (5m) “Nurse-midwife” means a nurse-midwife licensed by the board.

N 4.02 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1981, No. 312, eff. 1-1-82; cr. (8), Register, September, 1985, No. 357, eff. 10-1-85; am. (2), (6) and (8), Register, May, 1990, No. 413, eff. 6-1-90; CR 03-009: renum. (3), (4) and (8) to be (4), (6) and (5) and am. (4) and (6), cr. (2m), r. (5) and (7), correction made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., Register November 2003 No. 575; correction in (2) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register February 2012 No. 674; CR 20-065: r. (2), am. (2m), (4), cr. (5e), r. (6) Register January 2022 No. 793, eff. 2-1-22.

N 4.025 N 4.025 Licensure and exceptions.

N 4.025(1) (1) Except as provided under subs. (2) and (3), unless licensed under this chapter, no person may practice or attempt to practice nurse-midwifery or use the title or letters “Certified Nurse-Midwife”, “C.N.M.”, “Nurse-Midwife”, “N.M.”, or any other title or letters to indicate that person is a nurse-midwife.

N 4.025(2) (2) Any person lawfully practicing professional nursing within the scope of a license granted under ch. 441, Stats., is not required to be licensed under this chapter.

N 4.025(3) (3) The holder of a valid temporary permit under s. N 4.05 may use the title “graduate nurse-midwife” or the letters “G.N.M.”.

N 4.025(4) (4) A license to practice nurse-midwifery shall be issued separately from a license to practice professional nursing.

N 4.025 History History: CR 20-065: renum. (title), (1), (2) from N 4.08 and am., renum. (3) from N 4.05 (4) and am., cr. (4) Register January 2022 No. 793, eff. 2-1-22.

N 4.03 N 4.03 Qualifications for licensure. An applicant for licensure as a nurse-midwife shall be granted licensure by the board, provided that the applicant meets all of the following:

N 4.03(1) (1) Has completed an educational program in nurse-midwifery accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or another accrediting body approved by the board.

N 4.03(2) (2) Holds a certificate issued by the American Midwifery Certification Board, or another national certifying body approved by the board.

N 4.03(3) (3) Is currently licensed in good standing to practice as a professional nurse in this state, or has been issued a multistate license under the nurse licensure compact, that is current and in good standing, to practice professional nursing by another state that has adopted the nurse licensure compact.

N 4.03 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1981, No. 312, eff, 1-1-82; am. (intro.) and (3), Register, May, 1990, No. 413, eff. 6-1-90; CR 01-046: am. (3), Register October 2001 No. 550, eff. 11-1-01; CR 03-009: am. (intro.), (1) and (2) Register November 2003 No. 575, eff. 12-1-2003; CR 20-065: am. (1) to (3) Register January 2022 No. 793, eff. 2-1-22.

N 4.04 N 4.04 Application for licensure. An applicant for a license to practice nurse-midwifery shall file a completed application on a form provided by the board. The application shall include all of the following:

N 4.04(1m) (1m) The signature of the applicant.

N 4.04(2m) (2m) The fee specified under s. 440.05 (1), Stats.

N 4.04(3m) (3m) Evidence of completion of an educational program in nurse-midwifery approved by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or another accrediting body approved by the board.

N 4.04(4m) (4m) Evidence of current licensure in good standing as a professional nurse in this state or of having been issued a multistate license under the nurse licensure compact, that is current and in good standing, to practice professional nursing by another state that has adopted the nurse licensure compact, including the license number and renewal information.

N 4.04(5) (5) Evidence of certification as a nurse-midwife from the American Midwifery Certification Board, or another national certifying body approved by the board.

N 4.04 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1981, No. 312, eff. 1-1-82; am. (1) (intro.), (c) and (d) and (3), Register, May, 1990, No. 413, eff. 6-1-90; CR 01-046: am. (1) (d) and (3), cr. (4), Register October 2001 No. 550, eff. 11-1-01; CR 03-009: am. (1) (intro.), (a) to (c) and (4) Register November 2003 No. 575, eff. 12-1-2003; CR 20-065: am. (title), renum. (1) (intro.), (a) to (d) to (intro.), (1m) to (4m) and am, r. (2) to (4), cr. (5) Register January 2022 No. 793, eff. 2-1-22.

N 4.043 N 4.043 License renewal. The board shall renew a license to practice nurse-midwifery upon the applicant demonstrating completion of each of the following:

N 4.043(1) (1) Paying the renewal fee as determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a), Stats., the workforce survey fee, and any applicable late renewal fee.

N 4.043(2) (2) Completing the nursing workforce survey to the satisfaction of the board.

N 4.043(3) (3) Providing evidence of current certification as a nurse-midwife by the American Midwifery Certification Board, or another national certifying body approved by the board.

N 4.043(4) (4) If applicable, providing evidence to the board that the applicant maintains in effect malpractice insurance meeting the requirements under s. N 4.10 (1).

N 4.043 History History: CR 20-065: cr. Register January 2022 No. 793, eff. 2-1-22.

N 4.05 N 4.05 Temporary permits.

N 4.05(1) (1) Application. An applicant for a license to practice nurse-midwifery may be granted a temporary permit to practice nurse-midwifery. An application for a temporary permit to practice nurse-midwifery shall include all of the following:

N 4.05(1)(a) (a) Verification the applicant has completed an educational program in nurse midwifery accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or another accrediting body approved by the board.

N 4.05(1)(b) (b) Verification the applicant is currently licensed in good standing to practice as a professional nurse in this state, or of having been issued a multistate license under the nurse licensure compact to practice professional nursing, that is current and in good standing, by another state that has adopted the nurse licensure compact.

N 4.05(1)(c) (c) The fee specified in s. 440.05 (1), Stats.