Overview
A licensed direct entry midwife (LDM) supervises the conduct and labor of childbirth, advises the parent as to the progress of childbirth, and renders prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care as defined in Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 687.405.
Licensed direct entry midwives provide care in the home, in birthing centers, clinics, and as teachers at midwifery schools. They are educated through self-study, apprenticeship, a midwifery school or college-based program distinct from the discipline of nursing.
Oregon law requires persons performing midwifery duties in Oregon to be licensed by the State of Oregon unless:
- The person is already licensed as a health care professional with midwifery duties within the scope of the license; or
- The person is a traditional midwife.
LDMs are legally authorized to administer certain legend drugs and devices under ORS 687.493 and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 332-025-0030, 0040 and 0050, including anti-hemorrhagics, oxygen, I.V. drip sets and catheters, and sutures.
What You Need to Know
Scope of Practice Questions
Do you have a question about how a law or rule impacts your individualized practice?
Please know that the Health Licensing Office (HLO) and its boards do not provide individualized advice on how the law applies to practice in the field. Here are some resources:
- If you are looking for an attorney to provide you with legal advice about the statutes and rules governing your licensure, the Oregon State Bar has information on how to hire a lawyer.
- If you wish to make a complaint against a person for violating HLO and the board's statutes or rules, you may use this complaint form.
- If you wish to make a public comment on the statutes and rules governing your licensure, interested party feedback is encouraged at all public meetings.
- Guidance on how to obtain a license is available on the HLO website.
- If you believe HLO and the board's rules need to be amended, you may file a rule petition with HLO for consideration. Please note that any rules must fit within HLO and the board's current statutory authority. Please also know that the board will consider your position but might not adopt your proposed rule. The statute that governs rule petitions is ORS 183.390.
- If you believe HLO and the board's statutes need to be amended, information about the legislative process is also available on the Oregon Legislature's website.
Please know the HLO and its boards remain neutral on substantive bills proposing changes to its laws and cannot act on your behalf in any proposals to change the governing statutes.
Questions?
For questions, please call (503) 378-8667, or go to the Health Licensing Office Contact Us page to search for staff that specialize in specific areas of expertise.