Aspiring midwives in the United States face a tough challenge with the NARM (North American Registry of Midwives) Test. This guide offers key info on the NARM exam. It's the top test for new midwives. If you're getting ready for the midwifery certification test or just curious about the midwife licensing exam, this article is for you. Practice with the free North American Registry of Midwives practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).
The NARM has 300 questions and takes about 3 hours[1] (North American Registry of Midwives, verified Oct 25, 2026).
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 300 multiple-choice questions in two parts[1] | North American Registry of Midwives · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Time limit | 3 hours per part (6 hours total)[1] | North American Registry of Midwives · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Retake policy | Once every 2 months, max 6 times a year; no lifetime limit[1] | North American Registry of Midwives · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Delivery | Computer-based at approved testing labs or by live remote proctor[2] | North American Registry of Midwives · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Routes: PEP, MEAC graduate, US state-licensed midwife, AMCB CNM/CM, UK registered midwife[3] | North American Registry of Midwives · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Score release | Preliminary by email within 3 business days; official 2–3 weeks[2] | North American Registry of Midwives · Oct 25, 2026 |
Interactive North American Registry of Midwives resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
According to North American Registry of Midwives, “The test is a 300 question, multiple choice exam given in two parts.”[1]
The content areas below are copied from the official NARM content outline published by North American Registry of Midwives. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.
| Official content area | Practice on this site |
|---|---|
| General Healthcare Skills[5] | NARM Clinical Knowledge and Skills Practise core clinical skills such as vital signs, infection control, documentation and informed consent until you can apply them to any client scenario. |
| Labor, Birth and Immediate Postpartum[5] | NARM Labor and Delivery Work through the stages of labor, normal birth mechanics, third-stage management and the signs that call for transfer or emergency action. |
| Maternal Health Assessment[5] | NARM Laboratory Screening and Diagnostic T... Practise interpreting history, physical findings and routine lab results so you can tell normal variation apart from findings that need follow-up. |
| Postpartum[5] | NARM Postpartum Care Review uterine involution, bleeding assessment, perineal healing, lactation problems and screening for postpartum mood disorders. |
| Prenatal[5] | NARM Prenatal Care Practise the content of prenatal visits, fundal height and fetal growth checks, nutrition counselling and early recognition of conditions such as preeclampsia. |
| Professional Issues, Knowledge, and Skills[5] | NARM Professional Standards Study scope of practice, ethics, informed consent, record keeping and when and how to consult, refer or transfer care. |
| Well baby care[5] | NARM Newborn Assessment Practise the newborn exam, feeding and weight checks, jaundice assessment and the warning signs that need prompt referral. |
Prepare for the NARM - North American Registry of Midwives exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: By about what age do most healthy breastfed newborns regain their birth weight?
Answer: B. 10-14 days
Explanation:
B, 10-14 days, is correct. Healthy breastfed newborns normally lose some weight in the first days after birth while milk supply comes in. Most are back to birth weight by about 10-14 days. A, 2-3 days, is wrong because this is usually when weight is near its lowest, not when it has been regained. C, 6 weeks, and D, 3 months, are far too late. A baby still below birth weight at those ages points to a feeding or health problem, not normal recovery. Rule to remember: early weight loss is expected, but a baby who has not regained birth weight by about two weeks needs a full feeding assessment. That means latch, transfer, frequency and output.
Question: Which emergency contraception option is the most effective?
Answer: B. Copper IUD inserted within 5 days
Explanation:
B, a copper IUD inserted within 5 days, is correct. It is the most effective form of emergency contraception, and it keeps working as ongoing contraception after insertion. A, the levonorgestrel pill, works and is easy to get, but it is less effective than the copper IUD, and its effectiveness falls the longer the client waits to take it. C, combined oral contraceptive pills (the Yuzpe method), is an older approach that is less effective and causes more nausea. D, withdrawal, is not emergency contraception at all, because it cannot act after intercourse has already happened. Rule to remember: when a client asks about emergency contraception, offer the copper IUD first as the most effective option. Then discuss pills if the client prefers them or an IUD is not available.
Question: What is the primary use of magnesium sulfate in obstetric care?
Answer: B. To treat preeclampsia and prevent seizures
Explanation:
B is correct. Magnesium sulfate is used mainly to prevent and treat eclamptic seizures in clients with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia. It works by calming the central nervous system. A is wrong because it does not induce labor. Oxytocin and cervical ripening agents do that. C is wrong because it relaxes smooth muscle, which can make uterine atony and bleeding worse. Postpartum hemorrhage is managed with uterotonics such as oxytocin. D is wrong because it is not a treatment for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Rule to remember: magnesium sulfate means seizure prophylaxis. While a client is receiving it, watch for toxicity: loss of deep tendon reflexes, respiratory depression and low urine output. Calcium gluconate is the antidote.
Start with the official outline. Download the current candidate information from narm.org and read the content areas listed above. Mark the areas where you feel least sure.
Take a baseline test. Do the full practice test without notes. Don't aim for a good score at this stage. The goal is to find out which areas need the most work.
Work one area at a time. For each weak area, open the matching set in the table: for example Prenatal Care, Labor and Delivery or Newborn Assessment. Read the explanation for every question you get wrong, and also for any you guessed right. Write the rule behind each one in your own words. Use Pharmacology and Medications and Emergency and Complication Management to strengthen topics that cut across several areas.
Check your sources. Our questions are practice material written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. When an explanation doesn't match your textbook or clinical training, trust the textbook and NARM's references.
Build stamina. Each part of the real exam lasts 3 hours. Before test day, sit at least one timed session of that length in one go. Finally, confirm your testing lab or remote-proctor setup well before your appointment.
The NARM (North American Registry of Midwives) Test is key for those wanting to be Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in the U.S. It checks if a candidate knows how to give safe, skilled, and right midwifery care. Passing this test is vital to get the CPM credential, seen as the top for midwifery in North America.
This test is tough and checks if a candidate knows the midwifery job well and follows education standards. It looks at many topics like prenatal care, handling labor and delivery, caring for new moms, and newborns. Passing shows a candidate can give full, evidence-based midwifery care.
To take the NARM Test, candidates must meet certain education and experience needs. These include:
The NARM Board makes sure all test takers meet the high standards needed to join the midwifery field.
Getting ready for the childbirth educator certification and midwifery competency assessment means having a solid study plan. It should cover narm skills and written exams. Make sure you know the exam's topics, which include perinatal care standards and informed consent in midwifery.
To do well on the NARM Test, here are some steps to follow:
With a good plan, you can boost your chances of passing the narm skills and written exams. This shows you're ready to give top-notch perinatal care standards and make sure informed consent in midwifery.
The NARM (North American Registry of Midwives) Test checks a candidate's knowledge and skills in midwifery. It has two parts: a written test and a skills check. Both parts make sure candidates are ready to give great prenatal education, labor support, postpartum care, and neonatal care to women and their families.
The written test looks at a candidate's knowledge of midwifery. It covers topics like prenatal care, labor and delivery management, postpartum care, and neonatal health. Candidates answer multiple-choice questions on various obstetric and midwifery-related subjects. This makes sure they know the important parts of maternal health and perinatal services.
The skills test part of the NARM Test checks if a candidate can do important midwifery tasks and procedures. It includes doing things like a prenatal exam, managing a normal birth, giving postpartum care, and doing neonatal resuscitation. This test makes sure candidates can use what they know in real situations, helping with childbirth assistance and neonatal care.
Passing both the written test and the skills test shows a candidate knows a lot about midwifery. They are ready to give great prenatal education, labor support, postpartum care, and neonatal care to the people they help.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Validates your knowledge and skills objectively | Study materials can be expensive |
| Increases job market competitiveness | Exam anxiety can affect performance |
| Provides structured learning goals | Requires dedicated preparation time |
| Networking opportunities with other certified professionals | Retake fees apply if you don't pass |
Try these questions from our free North American Registry of Midwives practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
According to NARM standards of practice, when should the first postpartum home visit occur after an uncomplicated home birth?
Answer: A. Within 24–48 hours of delivery
NARM standards require the attending midwife to conduct a home visit within 24–48 hours of delivery to assess maternal and newborn wellbeing and detect early complications.
Under the NARM Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential framework, which body is responsible for establishing the standards of competency that CPMs must demonstrate?
Answer: B. The North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)
NARM is the certifying body that establishes the competency standards and administers the NARM Written Exam and Skills Assessment for the CPM credential.
Which of the following is a core tenet of the midwifery model of care as recognized by MANA and reflected in NARM competencies?
Answer: B. Watchful waiting and non-intervention in normal processes unless warranted
The midwifery model emphasizes supporting physiologic birth, avoiding unnecessary interventions, and individualizing care based on client needs.
What is a non-stress test?
Answer: A. Monitoring fetal heart rate response to movement to assess well-being
This test watches heart rate patterns during fetal movement.
Take the full North American Registry of Midwives practice test
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.