Minnesota Certified Nurse-Midwife license renewal and CE requirements
Minnesota nurse-midwives must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Minnesota licenses the certified nurse-midwife as an advanced practice registered nurse in its own right, and the licensee must also maintain a current registration with the board. Under Minn. R. 6310.2600, subpart 15, a registration period ends on the last day of the licensee's month of birth, in an even numbered year if the year of birth was even numbered and in an odd numbered year if the year of birth was odd numbered, and after the first period every registration period is 24 months. The first registration period after licensure, endorsement or reregistration runs from six to 29 full calendar months, so it can be shorter or longer than two years. The board sends a renewal notice at least three full calendar months before the expiration date, and failure to receive it does not relieve the licensee of the obligation to renew on time. The renewal application, the fee and the continuing education report must all reach the board office by the registration expiration date; if they arrive late the applicant is not eligible for renewal, the board returns the application and fee, and the nurse may not practice until reregistration requirements are met. Minn. Stat. 148.231, subdivision 1(c) adds that an applicant for advanced practice registered nursing renewal must provide evidence of current certification or recertification in the appropriate APRN role in at least one population focus by a nationally accredited certifying body recognized by the board, and Minn. R. 6310.3105 requires the licensee to notify the board with a primary source verification each time that certification is renewed.
Summary
Minnesota nurse-midwives must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Minnesota licenses the certified nurse-midwife as an advanced practice registered nurse in its own right, and the licensee must also maintain a current registration with the board. Under Minn. R. 6310.2600, subpart 15, a registration period ends on the last day of the licensee's month of birth, in an even numbered year if the year of birth was even numbered and in an odd numbered year if the year of birth was odd numbered, and after the first period every registration period is 24 months. The first registration period after licensure, endorsement or reregistration runs from six to 29 full calendar months, so it can be shorter or longer than two years. The board sends a renewal notice at least three full calendar months before the expiration date, and failure to receive it does not relieve the licensee of the obligation to renew on time. The renewal application, the fee and the continuing education report must all reach the board office by the registration expiration date; if they arrive late the applicant is not eligible for renewal, the board returns the application and fee, and the nurse may not practice until reregistration requirements are met. Minn. Stat. 148.231, subdivision 1(c) adds that an applicant for advanced practice registered nursing renewal must provide evidence of current certification or recertification in the appropriate APRN role in at least one population focus by a nationally accredited certifying body recognized by the board, and Minn. R. 6310.3105 requires the licensee to notify the board with a primary source verification each time that certification is renewed. Hours do not carry over between cycles.
Minnesota Certified Nurse-Midwife renewal and continuing education rules
"Not stated" means the board's pages and rules we read do not address it. We do not fill in typical values.
| Renewal cycle | Two-year (24 months) |
|---|---|
| Renewal deadline | Tied to the licensee's birth monthFirst renewal is prorated. |
| Continuing education required | Yes |
| Hours per cycle | 24 contact hours |
| Self-study or online cap | No cap stated |
| Carryover to next cycle | No |
| First renewal exempt | No |
| Other accepted activities | Publishing an article in a peer-reviewed journal or book on nursing or health care related issues; Delivering a professional paper related to nursing or health care; Serving as a member of a national panel that addresses nursing or health care related issues; Serving as principal investigator or coinvestigator for a nursing or health care related research study; Quarter academic credit, equivalent to ten contact hours, and semester credit, equivalent to fifteen contact hours |
Minnesota states its requirement as a ratio rather than a flat total: Minn. R. 6310.2800, subpart 3 says a registered nurse shall participate in the ratio of at least one contact hour of acceptable continuing education for each month of registration. On the standard 24 month registration period that comes to 24 contact hours, which is the figure recorded, and on a first registration period of six to 29 months the count moves with the length of the period, which is why the first renewal is prorated rather than exempt. The rules set no separate hour total for an advanced practice registered nurse and no separate total for the nurse-midwife role, so the nurse-midwife requirement is neither stacked on nor parallel to the registered nurse requirement: it is the same requirement. What the advanced practice layer adds is a certification condition. Minn. Stat. 148.231, subdivision 1(c) requires evidence of current certification or recertification in the APRN role and population focus from a nationally accredited certifying body recognized by the board, which for a nurse-midwife is the American Midwifery Certification Board, and Minn. R. 6310.3105 requires notification with primary source verification whenever that certification is renewed. National certification is not a substitute for the state hours. The only role it plays inside the continuing education rule is documentary: under subpart 4a, item C, a licensee who submits current certification from a national professional nursing organization does not have to evidence written learning objectives, and the same item states that the licensee shall not use the practice specialty certificate as a substitute for any previously deferred contact hours. The AMCB Certificate Maintenance Program totals are therefore deliberately not recorded here. A contact hour is 60 minutes and the minimum creditable activity is 0.25 contact hours. An activity must be completed during the participation period, taught by someone other than the licensee, taught by someone qualified by education or experience, and carry written objectives, so surplus hours do not carry forward. Minnesota runs the opposite mechanism: a licensee who is short may defer the missing contact hours to the immediately succeeding participation period, provided no deferred hours are already outstanding, and deferred hours are added to the next period's requirement. The board grants a variance from the required number of contact hours on convincing evidence of unexpected illness or personal tragedy.
Required CE topics for Minnesota certified nurse-midwifes
The Minnesota Board of Nursing pages and rules we read do not mandate specific subject areas for this license type. Hours may be in any approved subject.
Documentation and audit
| Proof submitted at renewal | No, attestation only |
|---|---|
| Keep records for | 2 years |
| Board audits compliance | Yes |
| Approved providers | Minnesota runs no provider approval program in chapter 6310. Acceptability turns on the content and documentation criteria in Minn. R. 6310.2800, subpart 3, items A to F: content designed to enhance the licensee's ability to practice nursing, written objectives, completion within the participation period, an instructor other than the licensee who is qualified by education or experience, and obtainable information on objectives, instructor, contact hours, dates, title and a statement of participation or certificate of completion. Evidence of written learning objectives is not required when the activity was approved by another health licensing board or a health related professional association, or when the licensee submits current certification from a national professional nursing organization or a medical organization. A continuing education report is part of the renewal application and the licensee verifies on it that the activities meet the criteria and that the information is true in every respect, but certificates are not submitted with the renewal. At renewal the board randomly selects a sample of licensees and requires substantiation of the reported activities. Hours that cannot be substantiated are automatically deferred to the next participation period and must be substantiated then, and failure at that point is grounds for disciplinary action. The licensee keeps documentation of each reported activity for two years after it is reported to the board. |
Common questions
- How many CE hours does a Minnesota CNM need to renew?
- Minnesota nurse-midwives must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Minnesota states its requirement as a ratio rather than a flat total: Minn. R. 6310.2800, subpart 3 says a registered nurse shall participate in the ratio of at least one contact hour of acceptable continuing education for each month of registration. On the standard 24 month registration period that comes to 24 contact hours, which is the figure recorded, and on a first registration period of six to 29 months the count moves with the length of the period, which is why the first renewal is prorated rather than exempt. The rules set no separate hour total for an advanced practice registered nurse and no separate total for the nurse-midwife role, so the nurse-midwife requirement is neither stacked on nor parallel to the registered nurse requirement: it is the same requirement. What the advanced practice layer adds is a certification condition. Minn. Stat. 148.231, subdivision 1(c) requires evidence of current certification or recertification in the APRN role and population focus from a nationally accredited certifying body recognized by the board, which for a nurse-midwife is the American Midwifery Certification Board, and Minn. R. 6310.3105 requires notification with primary source verification whenever that certification is renewed. National certification is not a substitute for the state hours. The only role it plays inside the continuing education rule is documentary: under subpart 4a, item C, a licensee who submits current certification from a national professional nursing organization does not have to evidence written learning objectives, and the same item states that the licensee shall not use the practice specialty certificate as a substitute for any previously deferred contact hours. The AMCB Certificate Maintenance Program totals are therefore deliberately not recorded here. A contact hour is 60 minutes and the minimum creditable activity is 0.25 contact hours. An activity must be completed during the participation period, taught by someone other than the licensee, taught by someone qualified by education or experience, and carry written objectives, so surplus hours do not carry forward. Minnesota runs the opposite mechanism: a licensee who is short may defer the missing contact hours to the immediately succeeding participation period, provided no deferred hours are already outstanding, and deferred hours are added to the next period's requirement. The board grants a variance from the required number of contact hours on convincing evidence of unexpected illness or personal tragedy.
- How often does a Minnesota CNM license need to be renewed?
- Certified Nurse-Midwife licenses in Minnesota renew every two years. Minnesota licenses the certified nurse-midwife as an advanced practice registered nurse in its own right, and the licensee must also maintain a current registration with the board. Under Minn. R. 6310.2600, subpart 15, a registration period ends on the last day of the licensee's month of birth, in an even numbered year if the year of birth was even numbered and in an odd numbered year if the year of birth was odd numbered, and after the first period every registration period is 24 months. The first registration period after licensure, endorsement or reregistration runs from six to 29 full calendar months, so it can be shorter or longer than two years. The board sends a renewal notice at least three full calendar months before the expiration date, and failure to receive it does not relieve the licensee of the obligation to renew on time. The renewal application, the fee and the continuing education report must all reach the board office by the registration expiration date; if they arrive late the applicant is not eligible for renewal, the board returns the application and fee, and the nurse may not practice until reregistration requirements are met. Minn. Stat. 148.231, subdivision 1(c) adds that an applicant for advanced practice registered nursing renewal must provide evidence of current certification or recertification in the appropriate APRN role in at least one population focus by a nationally accredited certifying body recognized by the board, and Minn. R. 6310.3105 requires the licensee to notify the board with a primary source verification each time that certification is renewed.
- Does Minnesota require specific CE topics for nurse-midwives?
- The Minnesota Board of Nursing does not list mandated subject areas for CNM renewal on the pages we verified; the 24 contact hours may be in any approved subject.
- Do Minnesota nurse-midwives have to submit CE certificates at renewal?
- Licensees attest to completion at renewal rather than submitting certificates, the board audits a sample of renewals and asks for documentation, and records must be kept for 2 years. Minnesota runs no provider approval program in chapter 6310. Acceptability turns on the content and documentation criteria in Minn. R. 6310.2800, subpart 3, items A to F: content designed to enhance the licensee's ability to practice nursing, written objectives, completion within the participation period, an instructor other than the licensee who is qualified by education or experience, and obtainable information on objectives, instructor, contact hours, dates, title and a statement of participation or certificate of completion. Evidence of written learning objectives is not required when the activity was approved by another health licensing board or a health related professional association, or when the licensee submits current certification from a national professional nursing organization or a medical organization. A continuing education report is part of the renewal application and the licensee verifies on it that the activities meet the criteria and that the information is true in every respect, but certificates are not submitted with the renewal. At renewal the board randomly selects a sample of licensees and requires substantiation of the reported activities. Hours that cannot be substantiated are automatically deferred to the next participation period and must be substantiated then, and failure at that point is grounds for disciplinary action. The licensee keeps documentation of each reported activity for two years after it is reported to the board.
- Is the first Minnesota CNM renewal exempt from CE?
- No. Minnesota applies the continuing education requirement to the first renewal as well.
Sources
Last verified September 10, 2026. Every value above was read from one of these.
- Minn. Stat. 148.171, definitions, including advanced practice registered nurse, the four APRN roles and nurse-midwife practiceStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 10, 2026
- Minn. Stat. 148.211, licensing, subdivision 1a advanced practice registered nurse licensure and subdivision 1c postgraduate practiceStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 10, 2026
- Minn. Stat. 148.231, registration, failure to register, reregistration, verification, including the APRN certification evidence requirementStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 10, 2026
- Minn. Stat. 214.12, continuing education for health-related licensing boards, including the expired subdivision 6 opioid prescriber requirementStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 10, 2026
- Minn. R. 6310.2600, definitions, including contact hour, continuing education participation period and registration periodStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 10, 2026
- Minn. R. 6310.2800, registration renewal requirements, including the one contact hour per month of registration ratio, acceptable activities, deferment and retentionStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 10, 2026
- Minn. R. 6310.3000, substantiation of participation in continuing educationStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 10, 2026
- Minn. R. 6310.3105, failure to notify board of advanced practice registered nurse certificationStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 10, 2026
- Minn. R. 6310.3110, advanced practice registered nurse reregistration requirementsStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 10, 2026
- Minn. R. chapter 6310, Professional, Practical, and Advanced Practice Registration, Board of Nursing, table of partsStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 10, 2026
- Minn. Stat. 147D.01, definitions for traditional midwifery, which places licensed traditional midwives under the Board of Medical PracticeStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 10, 2026
Minnesota follows the common pattern with one twist worth naming: the Board of Nursing does not merely certify the nurse-midwife on top of a registered nurse license, it licenses the advanced practice registered nurse as such. Minn. Stat. 148.211, subdivision 1a states that no advanced practice registered nurse shall practice as one unless licensed by the board under that section, and Minn. Stat. 148.171, subdivision 22a names certified nurse-midwife as one of the four APRN roles alongside certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified clinical nurse specialist and certified nurse practitioner. That the rules read govern the nurse-midwife and not another kind of midwife was established from the statute itself: eligibility under 148.211, subdivision 1a(c) requires a current Minnesota professional nursing license or eligibility for one, a graduate level APRN program in one of the four roles, and current national certification in that role. Minnesota does separately license traditional midwives, who are not nurses, but under an entirely different chapter and a different regulator: Minn. Stat. 147D places licensed traditional midwifery under the Board of Medical Practice with an Advisory Council of Traditional Midwifery, a NARM credentialing examination and MEAC accredited education. Nothing from chapter 147D was used here. AMCB certification is a renewal condition rather than a source of hour totals, and the rules expressly forbid using a specialty certificate as a substitute for deferred contact hours. One APRN requirement does not reach the nurse-midwife and is worth flagging: the 2,080 hour postgraduate collaborative practice requirement in Minn. Stat. 148.211, subdivision 1c is written only for a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist, so it does not apply to a certified nurse-midwife. Mandatory topics is empty because chapter 6310 contains no subject mandate at all. Two near misses were checked. Minn. Stat. 214.12, subdivision 6, the two hour opioid and controlled substance prescriber requirement that applied through the start of 2023, has expired and is shown as expired in the current statute, so it is not recorded. Minn. Stat. 214.12, subdivision 3 tells the Board of Nursing to require by rule that licensees with primary responsibility for diagnosing and treating fetal alcohol syndrome in pregnant women or children receive education on the subject, which would naturally reach a nurse-midwife, but no such rule appears anywhere in chapter 6310, so no topic is recorded for it. The board's own website at mn.gov is behind a Radware bot wall that returns a CAPTCHA to every automated client and to a scripted browser, so no page on it was read and none is cited; the board homepage is retained as board_url for continuity with the state's other nursing records, renewal_url is left null, and every value in this record was read on www.revisor.mn.gov, the Office of the Revisor of Statutes, which is the official publisher of Minnesota statutes and rules. The board's renewal FAQ is published only as a PDF on that walled host and was not read.
Provided for general reference. Requirements change through legislative sessions and rulemaking, so confirm with the Minnesota Board of Nursing before relying on them for a renewal. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.