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 La. Rev. Stat. 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.

            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.