148I.2  Licensure — licensed midwifery.
  1.  Except as provided in section 148I.3, beginning July 1, 2024, every person practicing midwifery in this state shall be licensed pursuant to this chapter. The board shall adopt rules pursuant to chapters 17A, 147, and 272C establishing procedures for the licensure of new and practicing midwives.
  2.  Prior to obtaining a license to practice midwifery, an applicant shall meet all of the following requirements:
  a.  Be at least twenty-one years old.
  b.  Submit proof of a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  c.  Submit proof of a current national certification as a certified professional midwife from the North American registry of midwives or its successor organization.
  d.  (1)  Submit proof of completion of an educational program or pathway accredited by the midwifery education accreditation council, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph.
  (2)  A certified professional midwife certified before July 1, 2024, and who received certification other than through completion of an educational program or pathway described in subparagraph (1) shall obtain a midwifery bridge certificate from the North American registry of midwives or its successor organization in order to obtain licensure in Iowa.
  (3)  A person licensed to practice midwifery for at least two years in a state that does not require completion of an educational program or pathway described in subparagraph (1), shall obtain a midwifery bridge certificate from the North American registry of midwives or its successor organization in order to obtain licensure in Iowa.
  e.  Submit an application fee as prescribed by the board by rule.
  3.  The board may request, at the applicant’s expense, that the department of public safety perform a criminal history check and the department of health and human services perform child and dependent adult abuse record checks of the applicant. If an applicant has a criminal record or a record of founded child or dependent adult abuse, the board shall perform an evaluation to determine whether the record warrants denial of licensure.
2023 Acts, ch 19, §1358; 2023 Acts, ch 127, §5