As a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) with 20 years experience and the Director of Midwifery of a hospital-based midwifery practice in Salem, Virginia, I want to voice my support for the passage of the Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Certified Midwives in Virginia. The passage of the Certified Midwife (CM) regulations is a critical step forward to help increase access to qualified maternity care providers for Virginians. The need is great, especially in rural parts of the state. The graduate-level education CMs undertake and the board certification process they complete is identical to that which CNMs complete. CMs are well-prepared to stand with their midwifery and obstetrician colleagues, to care for some of the most vulnerable citizens in our state. Passage of these regulations will increase access to midwifery care and help to elevate maternal and newborn health outcomes in Virginia.