§ 37:3241 — Definitions

§3241. Definitions
As used in this Chapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly
states otherwise:
(1) "Apprentice permit" means a permit issued by the Louisiana Department of
Health to authorize a person desiring to become a licensed midwife to obtain clinical
experience under supervision of a physician, certified nurse midwife, certified nurse
practitioner specially qualified by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, or licensed midwife.
(2) "Approved program" means a midwifery school or a midwifery training program
which is approved by the board for the education of midwives.
(3) "Board" means the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.
(4) "Certified nurse midwife" means a nurse authorized by the Louisiana State Board
of Nursing to practice as a certified nurse midwife in the state.
(5) "Certified professional midwife" means a person certified by the North American
Registry of Midwives.
(6) "Contact hour" means a unit of measurement to describe fifty to sixty minutes
of an approved, organized learning experience or two hours of planned and supervised
clinical practice which is designed to meet professional educational objectives.
(7) "Continuing education" means participation in an organized learning experience
under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction and approved by
the board for the purpose of meeting requirements for renewal of registration under these
regulations.
(8) "Department" means the Louisiana Department of Health.
(9) "Licensed midwife" means a person who has completed all requirements of R.S.
37:3247, 3253, and 3255, has successfully completed the examination process, and is
certified as a midwife by the North American Registry of Midwives along with being in good
standing on the registry of licensed midwives maintained by the board.
(10) "Licensed midwifery" means the provision of health services in pregnancy and
childbirth by a person not a licensed physician or a certified nurse midwife.
(11) "Licensing period" means a two-year period running from April 1 of any year
through March 31 of the second successive year; registration or permits may be issued at any
time but shall expire on March 31 of the second successive year.
(12) "Low risk patient" means an individual who is at low or normal risk of
developing complications during pregnancy and childbirth as evidenced by the absence of
any preexisting maternal disease or disease arising during pregnancy or such other conditions
as the board may identify in rules.
(13) "Midwifery instructor" means a person who has a formal training and
supervisory relationship with an apprentice midwife.
(14) "Physician" means a person who is currently practicing obstetrics and is licensed
to practice medicine or osteopathy in Louisiana.
(15) "Senior apprentice permit" means a permit issued by the board to authorize a
person desiring to be a licensed midwife to continue obtaining clinical experience under
general direction rather than supervision.
(16) "Supervision" means the coordination, direction, and continued evaluation at
first hand of the person in training and obtaining clinical experience as an apprentice midwife
within the scope of these provisions.

Legislative History

Acts 1984, No. 688, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1985; Acts 1988, No. 701, §2; Acts 2010, No. 743, §§10A, 10B, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2012, No. 772, §1; Acts 2018, No. 206, §3.