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Association of Ontario Midwives

This page is the print version of the page found at: http://www.aom.on.cahttp://www.aom.on.ca/AOM/Career_Opportunities/Becoming_a_Midwife.aspx
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Becoming a Midwife

How do I qualify to be a midwife in Ontario?

You may qualify for registration with the College of Midwives of Ontario (CMO) in one of three ways:

1. By graduating from the International Midwifery Pre-Registration Programme (IMPP) - for internationally educated midwives only.
2. By graduating from the Ontario Midwifery Education Programme (MEP); a four-year degree program offered by Ryerson University, Laurentian University and McMaster University.
3. By applying to the CMO for reciprocal status if you have been registered in another province for at least one year.

All midwives must also fulfill the requirements set by the CMO. Visit the CMO's website (www.cmo.on.ca) for more information.

What are the steps to becoming a midwife?

If you are currently a prospective student residing in Ontario:

• Contact the MEP at the university of your choice (Ryerson, Laurentian, or McMaster) for information on how to apply to the program and what is involved.
• Below is a video on midwifery as a career, put together by the Ryerson Career Centre:

If you are currently an internationally-trained midwife:

• You successfully complete all IMPP courses and the clinical clerkship.
• You successfully write the IMPP final exam.
• The IMPP informs the CMO that you have fulfilled all the program requirements, including the clinical clerkship and final exam.
• You apply for registration with the CMO.
• The CMO registers you as a midwife who is legally entitled to practice midwifery in Ontario.
• You apply to and enter a funded midwifery practice
• You begin work!

Who should I contact?

Midwifery Education Programmes (MEP) - for prospective students:

• MEP - Ryerson University: (416) 979-5104
• MEP - Laurentian University: (705) 675-4822
• MEP - McMaster University: (905) 525-9140, Ext. 26652

International Midwifery Pre-Registration Programme (IMPP) - for internationally-trained midwives:

• IMPP - Ryerson University: (416) 979-5000, Ext. 7681

How much does it cost?

• The AOM recommends that you contact the respective program for the most current tuition fees and expenses.

How long will it take?

• For students enrolled in the MEP at Ryerson, Laurentian, or McMaster Universities, the duration is four to eight years (depending on whether you enrol full-time or part-time).
• For internationally-trained midwives enrolled in the IMPP at Ryerson University, this program is designed to take one year to complete. The program has some individualized components; therefore, some participants may take more or less time to complete it. Some courses may be challenged for "Exempt" status if the student believes that they already possess those particular knowledge and skill sets.

What is a midwife's average compensation?

• Currently, the midwifery compensation scale has 6 levels. Full-time midwives earn approximately $73,000 to $95,000 a year. A midwife's place on this scale depends on her number of years of experience in Ontario and on the number of clients for whom she provides care in a year.