Advisory Committee on Midwifery

59 O.S. § 3040.5 establishes the Advisory Committee on Midwifery. This council is made up of seven members appointed by the Commissioner of Health consisting of:

• Three licensed midwives with a minimum of three years’ experience in the practice of midwifery
• A certified nurse-midwife 
• A physician who is certified by a national profession organization of physicians which certifies obstetricians and gynecologists and who supports the practice of midwifery
• A physician who is certified by a national professional organization of physicians which certifies family practitioners or pediatricians and who supports the practice of midwifery
• A member of the general public who is not practicing or trained in a health care profession, and who is a parent with at least one child born with the assistance of a licensed midwife or Certified Nurse-Midwife

Members are appointed for six-year, staggered terms. The jurisdiction of the council includes:

• Advisement on:
  • Scope and standards of practice
  • Licensure requirements, examination requirements, exceptions thereto, renewal requirements, temporary licensure, and endorsement or reciprocity requirements
  • Methods and requirements for ensuring the continued competence of licensed and registered persons including the type of courses and number of hours required to meet the basic midwifery education course and continuing midwifery education course requirements, and instructors or facilities used in the basic and continuing education requirements.
  • Procedures for reporting outcomes, including live births and fetal, newborn or maternal deaths.
  • Grounds for reporting and processing complaints, violations, probation, revocation or suspension of license or reinstatement provisions
• Reviewing and making recommendations on all licensure applicants 
• Assisting and advising in hearings related to Shepherd’s Law
• Reviewing and making recommendations on appropriate disciplinary action including fines, license revocation, and license suspension

Quorum consists of a majority of the members so long as there are two licensed midwives present. The council meets a minimum of semi-annually as well as at the call of the chair or the Commissioner of Health.

• 50 O.S. § 3040.1-3040.13