Licensing guide · British Columbia

How to Become a Midwife in British Columbia

Last checked 5 sources checkedNOC 31303

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives to work as a midwife in British Columbia or to use a protected title.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Licensure with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) is required in order for an individual to practice midwifery in British Columbia.”

From bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/BC_grads.aspx, checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Annual fees

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 9 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $4,349.20

  1. Before starting the application, prepare the documents the college requires, such as a program completion letter, notarized identification, and letters of standing from any regulators.

    Source
    “To avoid delays in processing your application, prepare the following documents before you start your application.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/BC_grads.aspx

  2. Create an online account and complete Form 159, the application for midwife licensure for approved program graduates, and submit it with supporting documents.

    Source
    “Complete ​ [Form 159 Application for Midwife Licensure- Approved Program Graduate]”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/BC_grads.aspx

  3. Pay the application fee, with payment instructions provided once the application is received.

    Source
    “Pay the application fee. Instruction for online payment will be provided once your application is received.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/BC_grads.aspx

  4. Write and pass the Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam.

    Source
    “Write​ and pass the Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/BC_grads.aspx

  5. Consent to a criminal record check, with instructions provided once the application is reviewed.

    Source
    “Consent to a criminal record check.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/BC_grads.aspx

  6. Pay the licensing fee once the application is approved.

    Source
    “Pay your licensing fee. Instructions on online payment by credit card and the amount required will be provided once application is approved.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/BC_grads.aspx

  7. Obtain professional liability protection from the Midwives Association of BC.

    Source
    “Obta​​in professional liability protection from the Midwives Association of BC.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/BC_grads.aspx

  8. After paying the licensing fees, the college sends an email confirming licensure, and you must not practise until you receive it.

    Source
    “Once yo​​u have paid your licensiong fees, we will send you an email confirming that you have been granted licensure.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/BC_grads.aspx

  9. Once registered, you can request a Certificate of Professional Conduct and apply for a Medical Services Plan number.

    Source
    “You can​ apply for a Medical Services Plan (MSP) number once you have been granted registration.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/BC_grads.aspx

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with BCCNM

9 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees: $4,349.20 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 4 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $4,349.20

  1. Prepare documents including a letter of standing from any regulator where you have held licensure, notarized identification, and the name and address of your practice in B.C.

    Source
    “A letter of standing and professional conduct/verification of licensure from any regulator with which you have held or currently hold licensure.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/Canadian_applicant.aspx

  2. Create an online account and complete Form 100, the application for midwife licensure for Canadian applicants, and submit it with supporting documents.

    Source
    “Complete ​ [Form 100 Application for Midwife Licensure — Canadian applicant]”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/Canadian_applicant.aspx

  3. After paying the licensing fees, the college sends an email confirming licensure, and you must not practise until you receive it.

    Source
    “Once yo​​u have paid your licensiong fees, we will send you an email confirming that you have been granted licensure.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/Canadian_applicant.aspx

  4. Once licensed, you can request a Certificate of Professional Conduct and apply for a Medical Services Plan number.

    Source
    “You can​ apply for a Medical Services Plan (MSP) number once you have been granted your licence.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/Canadian_applicant.aspx

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with BCCNM

4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees: $4,349.20 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 5 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $4,349.20

  1. Internationally educated midwives must complete the Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program at University of British Columbia before applying for licensure.

    Source
    “Internationally educated midwives must complete the Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program​ (IEMBP) at Univers​​ity of British Columbia before applying for licensure with BCCNM.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/InternationalEM.aspx

  2. Create a BCCNM account, complete the Application for Midwife Registration, and submit it with all required supporting documentation.

    Source
    “Complete an Application for Midwife Registration (form 159).”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/InternationalEM.aspx

  3. After completing the bridging program, UBC sends the college confirmation of program completion and the competency certifications completed during the program.

    Source
    “Once you have successfully completed the IEMBP, UBC will send us confirmation of program completion, and the competency certifications completed during your program.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/InternationalEM.aspx

  4. Complete the Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination, the licensing exam; provisional licensure may be available while preparing for it.

    Source
    “You will be required to complete the Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination (CMRE), the licensing exam.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/InternationalEM.aspx

  5. After passing the regulatory exam you become eligible for practising licensure, and if you did not hold a provisional licence you will be sent instructions to pay the licensing fee.

    Source
    “If you do not have a provisional licence, you will sent instructions to pay your licensing fee.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/InternationalEM.aspx

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with BCCNM

5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees: $4,349.20 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Applicants must be graduates of a BCCNM-recognized midwifery education program to apply through this route.

    Source
    “If you are a graduate from a BCCNM recognized midwifery education program, you can apply for licensure to practice in one of the following licensure classes”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/BC_grads.aspx

  • Internationally educated midwives must complete the Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program before applying for licensure.

    Source
    “Internationally educated midwives must complete the Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program​ (IEMBP) at Univers​​ity of British Columbia before applying for licensure with BCCNM.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/InternationalEM.aspx

Other

  • Applicants from another Canadian jurisdiction must maintain their equivalent practising licensure throughout the application process until licensed in B.C.

    Source
    “This licensure must be maintained throughout the application process until an applicant is licensed with BCCNM.”
    bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/Canadian_applicant.aspx

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

Under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, BCCNM will license midwives who hold what is determined to be the equivalent to practising midwife licensure in another Canadian jurisdiction.

Source
“In accordance with Chapter 7 of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) formerly known as Canada’s Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), BCCNM will license midwives who hold what is determined to be the equivalent to practising midwife licensure in another Canadian jurisdiction.”
bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/Canadian_applicant.aspx

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCNM

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCNM

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCNM

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCNM

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCNM

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 31303, Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals. Wages for 2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in British Columbia and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
British Columbia $30.77 $44.20 $56.00 Moderate (3 of 5)
Canada $24.09 $46.81 $60.26 —

Wages by region and job outlook in British Columbia

Wages in every province and territory

Midwives in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 10 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare midwife licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Graduates of recognized education prog​​rams bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/BC_grads.aspx · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Canadian applicants bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/Canadian_applicant.aspx · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Internationally-educated midwives bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/how_to_apply/Pages/InternationalEM.aspx · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Fees bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/fees/Pages/Default.aspx · fetched October 10, 2026
  5. Leaving or returning to practice bccnm.ca/RM/Applications/leaving_or_returning/Pages/Default.aspx · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a midwife in British Columbia?

Yes. Registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives is required to practise in British Columbia.

Which exams are required?

Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination (CMRE), Midwife Jurisprudence exam.

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