Apply for Registration

When applying, prospective registrants who graduated from an Ontario Midwifery Education Program are expected to have the following clinical experience:

• Active practice for at least two out of the four years immediately before the date of the application. You have met this requirement if you apply for a certificate of registration within two years of completing your Midwifery Education Program.
• Attendance of at least 60 births with the following minimums:
  • 40 attended as a primary midwife*
  • 30 attended as part of the care provided to a client in accordance with the principles of continuity of care*,
  • 10 attended in hospital, and
  • 10 attended in a residence, remote clinic, or remote birth centre

*Primary births means that you were the primary care provider or most responsible person in the room from the onset of labour.

*Providing continuity of care means that care was provided throughout the course of a client’s care by developing and maintaining an ongoing relationship of trust with your clients; establishing and working within systems that are clear to clients when their care is shared between within a team of midwives; and making every effort to ensure that a care provider known to the client is available to attend the birth.

If applicants are not able to meet the current clinical experience requirements outlined above, they may be able to register in the College’s supervised practice class.

Applicants must have completed the Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam (CMRE).

The Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam (CMRE) is a national written examination that assesses applicants for midwifery registration to ensure they meet entry-level competency standards set out in the Canadian Competencies for Midwives. Its goal is to ensure that midwifery practitioners provide competent, safe, and a consistent standard of care across Canada.

Comprehensive information about the examination (including registration timelines and details, study tips, reference texts and practice exams) is available on the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council (CMRC) website.

Applicants who meet all the requirements for registration with the College of Midwives of Ontario and who have written the national midwifery qualifying examination, but have not received the results of the examination, are eligible for a transitional certificate of registration.

The transitional certificate allows registrants who are awaiting the results of the examination to practise midwifery while under the supervision of a registrant who holds a general certificate of registration. Transitional certificates are valid for up to 90 days and will be revoked when the registrant is notified that they have passed the examination and are issued a general or supervised certificate of registration, or when they are notified that they have failed the exam.

Applicants are required to submit certificates demonstrating successful completion of training in NRP (within the previous 12 months), ES and CPR (within the previous 24 months) with their application forms. Learn more about the College-approved courses on our Continuing Competencies page.

Demonstrate your proficiency in either French or English with one of the following:

• Graduation from a recognized program of midwifery education in English or French in any jurisdiction in Canada;
• Registration as a midwife in a Canadian jurisdiction;
• Successful results on an English or French language proficiency test acceptable to the College.

All applicants to the College of Midwives of Ontario must be familiar with the laws, regulations, and standards that apply to midwives in Ontario and must demonstrate that by completing the College’s Jurisprudence Course.

The College’s Jurisprudence Course is offered online and consists of a handbook to be reviewed, and an online module with exam questions.

Access the Jurisprudence Course Handbook

The online module and exam are open-book and divided into 11 lessons which can be completed in any order. Each lesson covers a different topic, with sample quiz questions throughout and exam questions to complete at the end of each lesson.

While there are no limits to the number of attempts an applicant can take to successfully complete the exam questions, you are encouraged to wait and answer the exam questions when confident you have spent sufficient time on the module and have had an opportunity to review the documents referenced in each lesson.

On average, it takes about four hours to complete, but you can log in and out to finish at your own pace. All submitted answers are saved in the system.

Accessing the Jurisprudence Course

To access the Jurisprudence e-Learning module and exam you will require a user ID and password.

Applicants for registration must complete and submit the Jurisprudence Course Application Form to the College—including payment—to receive login information to access the online module and examination.

Applicants can submit the form along with payment through one of two methods:

1. Cheque and Mail

   The cheque and form can be mailed to the College’s offices at: 21 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 303, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1L9. Cheques should be payable to “College of Midwives of Ontario” and not combined with any other payment.
2. Credit Card
   On the form you can select that you prefer to pay by credit card. If you select this option at the time of registration you will pay the fee by credit card. The form should be submitted through the College’s secure deposit box.

Jurisprudence Quick Tips

• Save your user ID and password.
• Print your certificate upon successful completion of the module.
• Review the College’s website and Jurisprudence Course Handbook
• Have the College’s Jurisprudence Handbook available for easy reference during the module.

Successful Completion

Course participants must correctly answer all questions (100%) to successfully complete the Jurisprudence Course.

Once you have finished all 11 lessons, save and print a copy of your certificate of completion for your records and upload a copy to the Registrant Portal or submit it with your application for registration.

The Registration Regulation provides the grounds for establishing “good character” and suitability to practise the profession. All applicants must submit the results of a Vulnerable Sector Check as part of their application to the College. In addition, applicants must answer disclosure questions and submit letters of standing from bodies where they are or have been licensed or registered to practice any profession. The applicant is responsible for obtaining the correct Vulnerable Sector Check and paying all related fees. You can review the policy here for more information.

Vulnerable Sector Check

Prior to registration with the College, an applicant must be deemed suitable to practise the profession. This includes providing evidence that they have not been found guilty of any criminal offence, or other offence. Additionally, there must be nothing in an applicant’s previous conduct that would give reasonable grounds for the belief that the applicant will not practise midwifery with decency, honesty, integrity and in accordance with the law.

To prevent delays and to ensure that your Vulnerable Sector Check (VS Check) meets the Criminal Record Screening Policy College requirements, please ensure that your VS Check request form is completed correctly and note the following:

• The applicant is responsible for obtaining the correct VS Check and paying all related fees.
• The College only accepts original VS Checks issued within 6 months of the date a complete registration application is submitted to the College.
• The VS Check must be completed on all the names (including middle and maiden names) the applicant is currently using and has used in the past
• The applicant’s full legal name, previous names (if applicable) and date of birth on the VS Check must match the information provided to the College during the application process or it won’t be accepted.
• Original electronic copies of the VS Check from the police service, or scanned copies where the seal is visible and does not say “void,” are accepted. If an electronic copy is being submitted, it is recommended that the original hard copy of the VS Check be kept should the College require the original VS Check to be mailed to the College at a later date.

Please note that a finding on any VS Check does not disqualify your application for registration and the application will be processed in accordance with the Criminal Record Screening Policy and Good Character Guide.

Obtaining a Vulnerable Sector Check

For applicants outside of Toronto to apply for your VS Check, visit the website of your local police service for details regarding their specific process and payment information. Processing times may vary so we recommend applying for the VS Check well in advance of the date a complete registration application is submitted to the College.

Applicants Requiring a Toronto Police Services Vulnerable Check

It is your responsibility to send your form and payment to Toronto Police Service. The $65 payment can be made by certified cheque, or money order, payable to Toronto Police Service. Please visit the Toronto Police Service website for instructions and more information on how to submit your completed consent from.

Applicants should note the TPS Program Number for Toronto applicants to apply for VSC Online: Program Number: 202309TPSON384C3.

Demonstrate your entitlement to work in Canada by providing proof of one of the following: Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to engage in employment in Canada.

All regulated health professionals in Ontario are required to have professional liability insurance to practise a health profession. It is a non-exemptible registration requirement that an applicant provides the College with evidence of current personal protection against professional liability.

Applicants often obtain liability insurance through HIROC by way of membership with the Association of Ontario Midwives. The College of Midwives of Ontario requires the applicant show appropriate evidence of insurance that will be effective on the date the applicant will be registered.

The completed application form is submitted to the College along with the following:

• A Letter of Eligibility to Graduate and clinical experience record directly from the MEP or documentation showing you have completed the Orientation and Assessment Pilot Program. An original transcript can also be submitted if it comes directly from the school, however it will only be accepted if it states that the degree has been conferred.
• Proof of completion of the Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination (CMRE).
• Proof of current training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Obstetrical Emergency Skills (ES) and Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP).
• Proof of completion of the College’s Jurisprudence Course.
• A completed Vulnerable Sector Record Check.
• A clear copy of proof of eligibility to work in Canada (Canadian passport, Permanent Resident card, employment authorization).
• A clear copy of official photo identification with your legal name (driver’s licence, passport, photo health card, etc).
• Any name change information.
• A current-coloured headshot.
• A letter(s) of standing from all jurisdictions where you are or have been registered or licensed to practise midwifery or any other profession inside or outside of Canada.

Applications are reviewed to determine completeness and to ensure the applicant meets all of the registration requirements for a general certificate as outlined in the Registration Regulation. Once an application has been reviewed, the applicant will be contacted and informed of any missing information or documentation. This process usually takes seven days.

Supervision Plan

If the College finds clinical number deficiencies or gaps in clinical experience when reviewing an application, the College may prepare an individualized supervision plan. This plan allows the applicant to be registered in the supervised practice class and to practise under the supervision of a designated midwife.

If an application is incomplete, the College will advise the applicant by email. Once all items are received, the Registrar will either approve the application or refer the application to a panel of the Registration Committee. The Registrar will only refer applications for registration that do not meet the requirements set out in the Registration Regulation.

Learn more about Registration Committee Panels for Applicants.

Professional Liability Insurance Verification

Once the application is complete, the College will verify that the applicant has arranged professional liability insurance and that it will be effective as of the anticipated date of registration.

Registration

Upon receipt of insurance and payment of fees, the College will issue the registration number and process the registration documents. Once the applicant has received confirmation from the College of registration, the new registrant may now begin providing midwifery services. The College will inform the new midwife of their registration, and the effective date of registration by email. New registered midwives will receive their wallet card and electronic certificate of registration immediately via the Registrant Portal.

When applying, prospected registrants are expected to have the following clinical experience:

• Active practice for at least two out of the four years immediately before the date of the application (this can include time spent in an accredited Midwifery Education Program outside of Ontario)

• Attendance of at least 40 primary births* with the following minimums:
  • 10 attended as part of the care provided to a client in accordance with the principles of continuity of care*,
  • 10 attended in hospital, and
  • 5 attended in a residence, remote clinic, or remote birth centre

*Primary births mean that you were the primary care provider or most responsible person in the room from the onset of labour

*Providing continuity of care means that care was provided throughout the course of a client’s care by developing and maintaining an ongoing relationship of trust with your clients, establish and work within systems that are clear to clients when their care is shared between within a team of midwives, and make every effort to ensure that a care provider known to the client is available to attend the birth

If applicants are not able to meet the current clinical experience requirements outlined above, they may be able to register in the College’s supervised practice class.

Applicants must have completed the Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam (CMRE).

The Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam (CMRE) is a national written examination that assesses applicants for midwifery registration to ensure they meet entry-level competency standards set out in the Canadian Competencies for Midwives. Its goal is to ensure that midwifery practitioners provide competent, safe, and a consistent standard of care across Canada.

Comprehensive information about the examination (including registration timelines and details, study tips, reference texts and practice exams) is available on the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council (CMRC) website.

Applicants who meet all the requirements for registration with the College of Midwives of Ontario and who have written the national midwifery qualifying examination, but have not received the results of the examination, are eligible for a transitional certificate of registration.

The transitional certificate allows registrants who are awaiting the results of the examination to practise midwifery while under the supervision of a registrant who holds a general certificate of registration. Transitional certificates are valid for up to 90 days and will be revoked when the registrant is notified that they have passed the examination and are issued a general or supervised certificate of registration, or when they are notified that they have failed the exam.

Applicants are required to submit certificates demonstrating successful completion of training in NRP (within the previous 12 months), ES and CPR (within the previous 24 months) with their application forms. Learn more about the College-approved courses on our Continuing Competencies page.

Demonstrate your proficiency in either French or English with one of the following:

• Graduation from a recognized program of midwifery education in English or French in any jurisdiction in Canada;
• Registration as a midwife in a Canadian jurisdiction;
• Successful results on an English or French language proficiency test acceptable to the College.

All applicants to the College of Midwives of Ontario must be familiar with the laws, regulations, and standards that apply to midwives in Ontario and must demonstrate that by completing the College’s Jurisprudence Course.

The College’s Jurisprudence Course is offered online and consists of a handbook to be reviewed, and an online module with exam questions.

Access the Jurisprudence Course Handbook

The online module and exam are open-book and divided into 11 lessons which can be completed in any order. Each lesson covers a different topic, with sample quiz questions throughout and exam questions to complete at the end of each lesson.

While there are no limits to the number of attempts an applicant can take to successfully complete the exam questions, you are encouraged to wait and answer the exam questions when confident you have spent sufficient time on the module and have had an opportunity to review the documents referenced in each lesson.

On average, it takes about four hours to complete, but you can log in and out to finish at your own pace. All submitted answers are saved in the system.

Accessing the Jurisprudence Course

To access the Jurisprudence e-Learning module and exam you will require a user ID and password.

Applicants for registration must complete and submit the Jurisprudence Course Application Form to the College—including payment—to receive login information to access the online module and examination.

Applicants can submit the form along with payment through one of two methods:

1. Cheque and Mail

   The cheque and form can be mailed to the College’s offices at: 21 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 303, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1L9. Cheques should be payable to “College of Midwives of Ontario” and not combined with any other payment.
2. Credit Card
   On the form you can select that you prefer to pay by credit card. If you select this option at the time of registration you will pay the fee by credit card. The form should be submitted through the College’s secure deposit box.

Jurisprudence Quick Tips

• Save your user ID and password.
• Print your certificate upon successful completion of the module.
• Review the College’s website and Jurisprudence Course Handbook
• Have the College’s Jurisprudence Handbook available for easy reference during the module.

Successful Completion

Course participants must correctly answer all questions (100%) to successfully complete the Jurisprudence Course.

Once you have finished all 11 lessons, save and print a copy of your certificate of completion for your records and upload a copy to the Registrant Portal or submit it with your application for registration.

The Registration Regulation provides the grounds for establishing “good character” and suitability to practise the profession. All applicants must submit the results of a Vulnerable Sector Check as part of their application to the College. In addition, applicants must answer disclosure questions and submit letters of standing from bodies where they are or have been licensed or registered to practice any profession. The applicant is responsible for obtaining the correct Vulnerable Sector Check and paying all related fees. You can review the policy here for more information.

Vulnerable Sector Check

Prior to registration with the College, an applicant must be deemed suitable to practise the profession. This includes providing evidence that they have not been found guilty of any criminal offence, or other offence. Additionally, there must be nothing in an applicant’s previous conduct that would give reasonable grounds for the belief that the applicant will not practise midwifery with decency, honesty, integrity and in accordance with the law.

To prevent delays and to ensure that your Vulnerable Sector Check (VS Check) meets the Criminal Record Screening Policy College requirements, please ensure that your VS Check request form is completed correctly and note the following:

• The applicant is responsible for obtaining the correct VS Check and paying all related fees.
• The College only accepts original VS Checks issued within 6 months of the date a complete registration application is submitted to the College.
• The VS Check must be completed on all the names (including middle and maiden names) the applicant is currently using and has used in the past
• The applicant’s full legal name, previous names (if applicable) and date of birth on the VS Check must match the information provided to the College during the application process or it won’t be accepted.
• Original electronic copies of the VS Check from the police service, or scanned copies where the seal is visible and does not say “void,” are accepted. If an electronic copy is being submitted, it is recommended that the original hard copy of the VS Check be kept should the College require the original VS Check to be mailed to the College at a later date.

Please note that a finding on any VS Check does not disqualify your application for registration and the application will be processed in accordance with the Criminal Record Screening Policy and Good Character Guide.

Obtaining a Vulnerable Sector Check

For applicants outside of Toronto to apply for your VS Check, visit the website of your local police service for details regarding their specific process and payment information. Processing times may vary so we recommend applying for the VS Check well in advance of the date a complete registration application is submitted to the College.

Applicants Requiring a Toronto Police Services Vulnerable Check

It is your responsibility to send your form and payment to Toronto Police Service. The $65 payment can be made by certified cheque, or money order, payable to Toronto Police Service. Please visit the Toronto Police Service website for instructions and more information on how to submit your completed consent from.

Applicants should note the TPS Program Number for Toronto applicants to apply for VSC Online: Program Number: 202309TPSON384C3.

Demonstrate your entitlement to work in Canada by providing proof of one of the following: Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to engage in employment in Canada.

All regulated health professionals in Ontario are required to have professional liability insurance to practise a health profession. It is a non-exemptible registration requirement that an applicant provides the College with evidence of current personal protection against professional liability.

Applicants often obtain liability insurance through HIROC by way of membership with the Association of Ontario Midwives. The College of Midwives of Ontario requires the applicant show appropriate evidence of insurance that will be effective on the date the applicant will be registered.