Ala. Admin. Code r. 540-X-8-.20

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 540-X-8-.20 - Authorization For Practice As A Certified Nurse Midwife

(1) The Board of Nursing may grant a certificate of qualification for advanced practice nursing as a nurse midwife to applicants who meet all requirements of 540-X-8-.15.

(2) Use of the designation "CNM" or of any titles that imply that they are certified nurse midwives shall be restricted to those registered nurses who:

(a) Have been issued a certificate of qualification by the Board of Nursing; and

(b) Have current approval for collaborative practice in the state of Alabama or

(c) Are employed by the United States government and working in federal facilities; or

(d) Hold teaching positions in nurse midwife education programs recognized by the Alabama Board of Nursing.

(e) Prior to approval as a CNM, the registered nurse may use only the designation or title granted by the national certifying agency.

(3) When for any reason the collaborative practice agreement with the physician designated in the application for approval is terminated, then approval of such certified nurse midwife and collaborating physician designated in the application is automatically withdrawn.

(a) The certified nurse midwife and the physician shall each inform their respective board in writing of the effective date of the termination of the collaborative practice agreement and the reasons for such termination. Failure to notify the respective board of termination may be considered a violation of these rules and regulations.

(b) The certified nurse midwife shall notify the Board of Nursing using the on-line form "Terminate an Existing Collaboration."

(c) A certified nurse midwife in a collaborative practice which is voluntarily terminated by either party is responsible for notifying the Board of Nursing of the date on which the collaborative practice agreement terminates. Notification to the Board of Nursing by the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners that a physician has voluntarily terminated a collaborative practice agreement will meet the notification requirement and will result in termination of the certified nurse midwife's approval to practice under the collaborative practice agreement.

(4) The advanced practice approval shall expire prior to the RN license if the advanced practice national specialty certification expires during the license period.

(5) Approval for advanced practice may be continued at the time of renewal, upon verification of:

(a) Meeting the requirements of Rule 540-X-8-.15.

(b) Continued collaboration with the approved physician(s) or eligibility for continued exemption from collaboration.

(c) Payment of the advanced practice nursing renewal fee.

(d) Six contact hours of pharmacology content specific to prescriptive practice in the approved area for collaborative practice. Graduate pharmacology academic credit earned during the nurse midwife educational program prior to initial approval as a CNM does not qualify as pharmacology continuing education for renewal of approval as a CNM.

(e) Effective January 1, 2024, documented evidence of completion of continuing education prescribed by the Board of Nursing regarding the rules and statutes governing collaborative practice in Alabama, earned not more than forty-eight (48) months prior to or within twelve (12) months of commencement of the collaborative practice.

(6) Failure to meet the requirements for renewal shall result in lapse of the advanced practice approval.

(7) A nurse who fails to attain or maintain specialty certification as a nurse midwife form the American College of Nurse Midwives Certification Council shall:

(a) Immediately notify the Board of Nursing.

(b) Not practice or use the title of certified nurse midwife until approved by the Board of Nursing.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 540-X-8-.20

New Rule: Filed June 20, 1996; effective July 26, 1996. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 25, 2003; effective September 29, 2003. Was previously Rule 540-X-8-.18, renumbered as per certification filed April 23, 2004; effective May 28, 2004.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIII, Issue No. 10, July 31, 2015, eff. 8/6/2015.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIV, Issue No. 10, July 29, 2016, eff. 9/4/2016.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVII, Issue No. 01, October 31, 2018, eff. 12/2/2018.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVII, Issue No. 11, August 30, 2019, eff. 10/7/2019.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVIII, Issue No. 03, December 31, 2019, eff. 2/14/2020.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIX, Issue No. 07, April 30, 2021, eff. 6/14/2021.

Author: Alabama Board of Medical Examiners

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-24-53, 34-21-25, 34-21-88.