How to Verify a Midwife's License in New York

Author: Igel Cudiera

A license check is one of the simplest ways to confirm who will be caring for you during pregnancy and birth. It is also easy to misread. A license is not the same as current registration, a national certification is not a New York license, and a clean record does not tell you whether a midwife is the right fit for your family.

This guide walks through the official search step by step, explains what each part of the record means using NYSED's own definitions, and covers what to do if you can't find a midwife or the details don't match.

Where to Check a New York Midwife's License

In New York, midwives are licensed by the State Education Department, under the oversight of the Board of Regents. The place to check a license is NYSED's Office of the Professions Verification Search.

NYSED describes the information on that site as coming from the Office of the Professions' official database, updated daily, and calls it "a secure, primary source for license verification." The search is free to use.

You may come across other websites that republish New York license data. NYSED's terms of use state that the department "is not responsible for the accuracy of license information republished by any secondary source." A screenshot, a framed certificate, or a third-party listing can be a helpful starting point, but the official search is the record to rely on.

NYSED's midwifery consumer page adds one more check you can make in person: New York midwives must display a current New York registration certificate, which lists the midwife's name, address, and the dates of the registration period.

Step by Step: Using the NYSED License Lookup

The steps below describe the Verification Search as it appeared in October 2026. Labels on government websites can change, so if something looks different, follow the instructions on the page itself. The page also currently notes that the database is under maintenance and that you "may encounter issues with search results." If a search fails, try again later or contact the Office of the Professions (details below).

Step 1: Open the Verification Search

Go to op.nysed.gov/verification-search. The address forwards to NYSED's eservices site, where the search form loads.

Step 2: Choose how to search

Under Search By, choose Licensee Name or License Number.

Searching by license number is the most precise option. NYSED's guidance notes that "a licensee should be able to provide you with his or her license number upon request," so it is reasonable to ask your midwife for it. License numbers are six digits. NYSED's help page says to add zeros in front of a shorter number to make six digits, and to ignore a dash and the single digit after it.

If you search by name, the form accepts the name in several orders. Its own example is "Kathleen Sullivan, Sullivan Kathleen, or Sullivan."

Step 3: Select the profession "Midwife (028)"

Under Profession, choose Midwife (028). You can search only one profession at a time. If you are not sure which profession someone is licensed in, the list also includes All Professions (ALL).

Step 4: Find the right person in the results

Type the name or number and select GO. The results list shows the license number, name, profession, address, and date of licensure for each match.

If several people share a similar name, compare:

• The license number, if the midwife gave you one. The same number can appear in other professions, but within a profession it belongs to one licensee.
• The city and state. NYSED lists these "as an aid in identifying the individual." A licensee doesn't need a New York address to be authorized to practice in the state, so an out-of-state address is not, on its own, a warning sign.
• The full name, including any former or professional name the midwife uses.

Step 5: Open the record and review both tabs

Select the matching person to open the full record. It has two tabs: LICENSEE INFO and ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS. Review both before you close the page.

How to Read a Midwife's License Record

NYSED's help page includes a glossary of the terms used in license records. The explanations below follow that glossary.

Name, address and license number

The last name is always displayed first. The city and state help you identify the person. The license number should match the one the midwife gave you.

Date of licensure and prescriptive privilege

The date of licensure is when the person was first licensed in New York. NYSED notes that this date may be missing for some licenses issued before the mid-1980s, when its records were computerized.

Some professions have an additional qualification. For midwives, it is the authority to prescribe, which requires completing pharmacology education. NYSED's midwifery FAQ says midwives who have met this requirement are identified on its website as "Certified with prescriptive privilege." If this line is blank, NYSED says that "should not be viewed as limiting the licensee's regular practice."

License status

The status is the most important line on the record. NYSED's glossary says that to practice in New York, a professional "must be licensed and REGISTERED." A license generally lasts for life, but registration must be renewed. For midwives, that happens every three years.

An INACTIVE or NOT REGISTERED status does not, by itself, mean anyone did something wrong. A midwife may have moved, retired, or stopped practicing for a while. What it does mean is that the record does not show current registration to practice in New York. If you see either status for a midwife who is offering you care, ask about it, and contact NYSED if the answer doesn't resolve it.

The "registered through" date

NYSED's glossary explains that registration periods "expire on the last day of the month indicated." For anyone whose status is not REGISTERED, the date shown is the last date that person was registered to practice in New York.

If a midwife's registration period is about to end, it is fine to check again later. The database is updated as new information arrives.

Checking for Disciplinary Actions

The Enforcement Actions tab

According to NYSED, summaries of final disciplinary actions appear under the Enforcement Actions tab in a licensee's search results. In New York, professional misconduct by licensed midwives is investigated and prosecuted by the Office of the Professions, and the Board of Regents decides the final outcome.

Searching Regents disciplinary actions

NYSED also publishes summaries of Regents disciplinary actions going back to January 1994. You can browse them by year, month, and profession, including Midwifery. For actions before 1994, NYSED directs the public to its Public Information Unit at 518-474-3817, ext. 330, or dplsdsu@nysed.gov. The same unit can provide a copy of an official disciplinary record.

What the public record doesn't show

The online record is useful, but it is not a complete history. According to NYSED:

• Complaints that don't lead to action stay confidential. NYSED describes complaints as "accusations of professional misconduct" and states that "those that do not result in disciplinary action are confidential."
• Minor matters may not appear. Some minor misconduct is handled through advisory letters or administrative warnings, which are confidential.
• Good standing can include past discipline. NYSED says licensees who have been disciplined are still considered to be in "good standing" unless their license has been revoked or suspended. Read any summary on the Enforcement Actions tab, rather than relying on the status line alone.
• Malpractice lawsuits are separate. They are handled by the insurance and court systems, not by NYSED. For information about malpractice actions, NYSED suggests contacting your County Clerk's office or the local court system.

An online review, a social media post, or a news article is not the same as an official disciplinary finding. If you see a claim about a midwife elsewhere, the Enforcement Actions tab and NYSED's Public Information Unit are where to check whether any official action was taken.

If You Can't Find the Midwife or the Details Don't Match

A search with no result is a reason to look more closely, not proof that someone is practicing illegally. Common explanations include a spelling difference, a name change, or choosing the wrong profession. Try these steps:

• Check the spelling and try fewer letters. NYSED notes that names beginning with Mc, O' and similar prefixes may be listed with or without the apostrophe or space, so try variations such as "O'Neil," "O Neil," and "ONeil."
• Try a former or legal name. The record lists the name on the license, which may differ from the name the midwife uses with clients.
• Search by license number instead of name, and confirm you selected Midwife (028).
• Try All Professions (ALL) to see whether the person holds a license in a different profession.
• Check for a limited permit. New York law allows a limited permit to practice midwifery for up to 12 months for someone who has met every licensing requirement except the examination. A permit holder may practice only under the direct supervision of a licensed physician or licensed midwife. The search form has a separate Permittee Name option for permit holders, and Midwife (028) is one of its professions.
• Ask the midwife. Explain what you found and ask for their license number and the name on their license.
• Contact NYSED. For questions about the status of a license, the Office of the Professions lists 518-474-3817, ext. 570, and an online contact form.

If you have tried these steps and still can't confirm a license, NYSED's professional discipline office takes inquiries about unlicensed practice (see "If You Have a Concern About a Midwife" below). In New York, practicing a licensed profession "without a license and current registration is a felony," according to NYSED. Whether that has happened in a particular case is for NYSED to investigate, not something a search result settles on its own.

Licenses, Certifications and Titles in New York

Midwives may list several credentials after their name. Only one of them is the New York license, and it is the one the Verification Search confirms.

CNMs and CMs hold the same New York license

New York uses a single license, "licensed midwife," for two national credentials. NYSED's midwifery FAQ explains that licensed midwives who are also nurses may use the title "certified nurse-midwife" (CNM), while others use "certified midwife" (CM), and that both "meet the requirements for licensure." Both appear in the search under the same profession, Midwife (028).

"Nurse-midwife" means two licenses

Under New York Education Law, only a person licensed as both a nurse and a midwife may use the title "nurse-midwife." A licensed midwife is not required to hold a nursing license to practice midwifery. If a midwife describes themself as a nurse-midwife, you can search for both records: Midwife (028) and Registered Professional Nurse (022).

Certified professional midwives (CPMs)

The certified professional midwife (CPM) credential is issued by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). It is not a New York license. New York law allows only a person licensed or exempt under the midwifery article, or authorized by another section of law, to practice midwifery. Bills to create a New York license for CPMs (S5542 in the Senate and A1125 in the Assembly) were introduced in the 2025–2026 session. As of October 2026 they remained in committee and had not passed either house.

National certification and professional memberships

National certification and membership are separate from licensure, and each has its own lookup:

• AMCB certification (CNMs and CMs). The American Midwifery Certification Board offers a "Verify a Midwife" search on its website.
• NARM certification (CPMs). NARM offers a public directory. NARM notes that some credential holders opt out of the public listing, and that "the absence of a name does not indicate that a person is not a CPM."
• Memberships. Organizations such as the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and the New York State Association of Licensed Midwives (NYSALM) are professional associations. Membership is not a license.

NYSED's FAQ states that New York does not require national certification for a licensed midwife to renew their registration. So a current AMCB certification is not proof of a current New York registration, and an expired certification doesn't mean the New York license has lapsed. Check each record for what it covers.

What a License Check Can't Tell You

A REGISTERED status confirms that a midwife has met New York's licensing requirements and is currently registered to practice. It does not tell you:

• Whether the midwife is a good fit for your values, your birth preferences, or the way you like to communicate
• How many births they have attended, or their experience with situations that matter to you
• Whether they attend births in your area or setting, or are available around your due date
• Whether they are in network with your insurance plan or enrolled in Medicaid (our guides to insurance coverage for home birth and Medicaid and home birth in New York explain how to check)
• Whether they have privileges at a particular hospital
• Whether your pregnancy is suitable for the birth setting you are considering

These are questions to ask directly, and to confirm with the relevant hospital or insurer when it matters.

Questions to Ask After You've Checked the License

Once you've confirmed the license, a conversation fills in what the record can't. A few questions connect directly to New York's rules:

• "What is the name on your license, and what is your license number?" This lets you match the record exactly.
• "Who are your collaborating physicians or hospital?" Under Section 6951 of the Education Law, every licensed midwife must have collaborative relationships with a qualified physician or hospital, including plans for emergency medical gynecological and/or obstetrical coverage. Midwives must make information about these relationships available to their patients. Our article on what happens if a home birth needs to transfer to a hospital explains how this works in practice.
• "Do you hold national certification, and how can I verify it?"
• "Who else will attend my birth, and are they licensed?"

For a fuller list covering experience, logistics, and care philosophy, see our 50 questions to ask when choosing a midwife. If you're still learning what midwives do, start with our overview of what a midwife is and what midwives do.

Quick Verification Checklist

• Search the official NYSED Verification Search, not a third-party site.
• Select Midwife (028) and search by license number if you have it.
• Confirm the name, license number, and city match the midwife.
• Confirm the status reads REGISTERED.
• Check that the registered through date has not passed.
• Open the Enforcement Actions tab and read any summaries.
• If the midwife says "nurse-midwife," check the Registered Professional Nurse (022) record too.
• Check national certification separately with AMCB or NARM if it matters to you.
• Ask about collaborative relationships and emergency plans.
• If anything doesn't match, ask the midwife and then contact NYSED.

If You Have a Concern About a Midwife

NYSED's Office of Professional Discipline investigates complaints about licensed professionals, including midwives, and allegations of unlicensed practice. You don't need to be sure misconduct happened before filing. NYSED says it will investigate and determine whether misconduct has occurred.

According to NYSED's enforcement pages, complaints "must be submitted in writing and cannot be filed by phone." You can download the complaint form from NYSED's professional misconduct enforcement page, and call 1-800-442-8106 or email conduct@nysed.gov to ask questions first. NYSED cannot resolve fee disputes, although it can investigate complaints involving fraudulent billing.

If you need official written confirmation of a license, for example for paperwork, NYSED issues a written verification of licensure for a $10 fee. It confirms that a person is licensed in New York and gives their registration status. For everyday purposes, NYSED notes that the online verification is available at no cost.

This article is for general educational purposes and is not legal or medical advice. Licensing procedures, website features, and pending legislation can change, so always rely on the current information on the New York State Education Department's website. For questions about a specific license, contact the NYSED Office of the Professions directly.

Sources

• New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Verification Search. Accessed October 2026.
• New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Online Verification Searches (help and glossary). Accessed October 2026.
• New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Terms and Conditions of Use (online verification). Accessed October 2026.
• New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Frequently Asked Questions for Midwifery. Accessed October 2026.
• New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Consumer Information for Midwifery. Accessed October 2026.
• New York State Education Law, Article 140 (Midwifery), §§6951–6958. NYSED reprint. Accessed October 2026.
• New York State Education Law, Article 130, Subarticle 1, §6502 (Duration and registration of a license). NYSED reprint. Accessed October 2026.
• New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Professional Misconduct Enforcement. Accessed October 2026.
• New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Frequently Asked Questions – Enforcement. Accessed October 2026.
• New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Enforcement Actions (summaries of Regents actions). Accessed October 2026.
• New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Written Certification or Verification of Licensure. Accessed October 2026.
• American Midwifery Certification Board. Verify a Midwife. Accessed October 2026.
• North American Registry of Midwives. Verify a Credential. Accessed October 2026.
• American College of Nurse-Midwives. Comparison of Certified Nurse-Midwives, Certified Midwives, and Certified Professional Midwives. Updated February 2026.
• New York State Senate. Senate Bill S5542 (2025–2026), same as A1125. Accessed October 2026.