HLO News Details

​The deadline for submitting interest forms to serve on the Board of Direct Entry Midwifery (Board) Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) has been extended, and the April 23 and May 14 RAC meetings have been canceled. 

The Health Licensing Office (HLO) and the Board are seeking individuals and communities who are likely to be affected by the rule changes to serve on the RAC. Members of RACs provide unique perspectives, subject matter expertise, and lived experience with direct entry midwifery, community birth services, consumer safety, and the purchase and administration of legend drugs and devices. 

The goal of the RAC is to develop rule recommendations to be considered by the Board prior to filing proposed rules with the Secretary of State's Office. Rule recommendations will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review and recommend changes to the standardized competencies.
• Integrate the passage of the written and skills examinations into the application requirements.
• Develop examination requirements, including proctoring and location.
• Review the current list of legend drugs and devices. 

In addition to providing recommendations, the RAC will evaluate the impact the rules may have on individuals and communities likely to be affected by the rule changes. 

The Board recommends that the following individuals or communities be represented on the RAC:

• Licensed direct entry midwives
• Midwifery educators or instructors
• Healthcare providers with knowledge of drugs and devices used by licensed direct entry midwives
• Professional midwifery organizations
• Consumers of community birth services 

Members can serve in multiple membership capacities. 

RAC meetings are expected to begin in July 2025 and end in September 2025. Those interested in serving on the RAC should submit a completed Application to Serve on Rules Advisory Committee form to josh.page@oha.oregon.gov or mail it to 1430 Tandem Ave, Suite 180, Salem, OR 97301, c/o Josh Page, no later than noon on May 15, 2025. 

If you have questions, contact Samie Patnode at samie.patnode@oha.oregon.gov or call (503) 373-1917, or Josh Page at josh.page@oha.oregon.gov or call (503) 934-0720.​