A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)® is a knowledgeable, skilled and professional independent midwifery practitioner who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and is qualified to provide the Midwives Model of Care. The CPM is the only midwifery credential that requires knowledge about and experience in out-of-hospital settings. The scope of practice of the CPM is derived from the NARM Job Analysis and individual practice guidelines developed by each midwife according to their skills and knowledge. The guiding principles of the practice of CPMs are to work with their clients to promote a healthy pregnancy and provide education to help them make informed decisions about their own care. In partnership with their clients, CPMs carefully monitor the progress of the pregnancy, labor, birth, newborn, and postpartum period. The key elements of this education, monitoring, and decision making process are based on evidence-based practice which includes thoughtful integration of the best available evidence, coupled with clinical expertise, and the client’s values and needs.