To become a midwife in the UK, you complete a midwifery degree approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), or a Level 6 midwife degree apprenticeship, and then register with the NMC. In the US the usual route is different: you become a registered nurse first, then earn a master's degree as a certified nurse-midwife.
That difference is the thing most people get wrong. In the UK you don't have to be a nurse before you train as a midwife. In the US, the nurse-midwife route the government describes starts with nursing.
This guide covers both, using the National Careers Service midwife profile and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, both read on 26 October 2026. It's a careers guide about training, registration and pay, not clinical advice.
UK and US routes side by side
| Question | UK (England) | US (certified nurse-midwife) |
|---|---|---|
| Main route | NMC-approved midwifery degree | Registered nurse, then a master's in the nurse-midwife role |
| Do you need to be a nurse first? | No | Yes, a state RN licence |
| Apprenticeship option | Midwife Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, around 4 years | Not described by BLS |
| Registration | NMC, renewed every 3 years | National certification exam plus a state APRN licence |
| Pay | £32,000 starter to £48,000 experienced | $134,040 median (May 2025) |
UK salary figures are the National Careers Service averages and the US figure is the BLS median for nurse midwives, both as of October 2026.
The UK route, step by step
- Get the entry qualifications. The National Careers Service lists 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English, maths and science, plus 2 or 3 A levels including a science, or a level 3 diploma or Access to Higher Education course in health, science or nursing.
- Apply for an NMC-approved midwifery degree, or for a Midwife Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, which takes around 4 years and mixes on-the-job training with study at an approved university.
- If you already have a degree in another subject, look at postgraduate midwifery courses instead of starting again.
- Check whether you can get extra student support through the NHS Learning Support Fund.
- Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council once you qualify, then renew that registration every 3 years.
Volunteering in the NHS is the work experience the National Careers Service points to. It helps your application, and it shows you whether you like the setting before you commit to years of training.
The shortcut for registered nurses
If you're already a registered adult nurse, you may not need the full degree. The National Careers Service says you may be able to take a conversion course to become a midwife, and that usually takes between 18 and 24 months.
That's the route people most often overlook. A nurse who wants to move into midwifery can be qualified in two years or less, instead of starting a full degree programme from scratch. Ask the universities near you which conversion courses they run and how many places they offer.
The US nurse-midwife route
In the US, nurse midwives sit in the group BLS calls advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), alongside nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners. BLS says APRNs must have at least a master's degree in their specialty role, be licensed registered nurses in their state, pass a national certification exam and hold a state APRN licence.
- Earn a nursing degree and pass the exam to become a registered nurse.
- Get a state RN licence.
- Complete a master's degree (or higher) in the nurse-midwife role.
- Pass the national certification exam.
- Apply for your state APRN licence. Scope of practice varies from state to state.
BLS counted about 8,200 nurse midwives in 2025, a small group inside the wider APRN family of 399,000 jobs. Some work in birthing centers, which BLS classes as a type of outpatient care center.
What midwives do day to day
- Support people and their families during pregnancy, birth and the weeks after.
- Run classes on pregnancy and parenting skills.
- Manage labour and deliver babies in hospital or at home.
- Visit homes to check on parents and the new baby.
- Keep accurate records and stay current with good practice.
In the UK you could work in a client's home, a health centre, a GP practice or an NHS or private hospital. Typical hours are 37 to 40 a week, and the National Careers Service says the work can be physically and emotionally demanding, with evenings, weekends and bank holidays on shifts.
Skills that help you get in and stay in
- Counselling skills, including active listening and a non-judgemental approach.
- Attention to detail and thorough record keeping.
- Patience and the ability to stay calm when things change fast.
- Confidence with computers and the main software packages.
Many midwives start in nursing or move between the two. If that's your background, our guide to remote roles for registered nurses shows where else a nursing registration can take you, and these AI prompts for nurses and care workers can save time on the admin side of the job.
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Where a midwifery career can lead
With experience, the National Careers Service says you could become a team leader or ward manager, or train as a health visitor, a director of midwifery or a midwifery consultant. You could also specialise in areas like home births or intensive neonatal care.
My verdict
If you're in the UK, the direct route is the big advantage: you can train as a midwife without becoming a nurse first, through a degree or an apprenticeship. If you're already a registered adult nurse, the 18 to 24 month conversion course is the fastest way in. In the US, plan for nursing first and a master's after that. Either way, it's a regulated career with a clear ladder, so pick the route that fits where you're starting from.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to be a nurse to become a midwife in the UK?
No. You can do an NMC-approved midwifery degree or a Midwife Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship without nursing first. Registered adult nurses can take a conversion course instead.
How long does it take to become a midwife?
In the UK a degree apprenticeship takes around 4 years, and a conversion course for registered adult nurses usually takes between 18 and 24 months.
What qualifications do you need to study midwifery?
The National Careers Service lists 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 including English, maths and science, plus 2 or 3 A levels including a science, or an equivalent level 3 or Access course.
How much do midwives earn in the UK?
The National Careers Service gives an average of £32,000 for starters to £48,000 for experienced midwives, as of October 2026.
How do you become a nurse-midwife in the US?
BLS says you need to be a licensed registered nurse, earn at least a master's degree in the role, pass a national certification exam and hold a state APRN licence.
How often do UK midwives renew their registration?
You must renew your Nursing and Midwifery Council registration every 3 years.
