AABC membership tells you a birth center has met national standards for safety, staffing, and equipment
The American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) is a membership organization that sets and enforces standards for freestanding birth centers in the United States. A birth center that holds AABC membership has undergone a detailed review process and agrees to maintain specific requirements around staff credentials, emergency protocols, infection control, and record-keeping. Membership is voluntary — not all birth centers belong — so it functions as a marker of centers that have chosen to meet a national standard.
AABC membership does not mean a birth center is licensed by your state, though many AABC members are also state-licensed. Licensing is a separate process run by your state health department. Some states license birth centers; others do not. AABC membership exists alongside state licensing, not instead of it.
The organization publishes its standards publicly, so you can read exactly what an AABC member has committed to. This matters because birth center regulations vary widely by state, and in some states there are no regulations at all. AABC membership provides a consistent baseline across state lines.
Key Takeaways
- AABC membership means a birth center has passed a review of its staffing, equipment, safety protocols, and record systems against national standards.
- Membership is voluntary and separate from state licensing, so a birth center can be state-licensed without AABC membership, or hold AABC membership in a state with no licensing requirement.
- AABC members must employ midwives with specific credentials and maintain written protocols for emergencies, infection control, and informed consent.
- You can search the AABC website to see which birth centers in your area hold membership and review the organization's published standards.
- AABC membership does not cover the cost of birth center care or may provide insurance coverage.
What AABC membership requires of a birth center
AABC members must employ at least one Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified Midwife (CM), or Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) as the primary provider. The center must also have a written agreement with a physician or hospital for emergency transfer and backup consultation. This is not optional — it is a condition of membership.
The center must maintain written protocols for specific situations: management of labor and delivery, infection control, informed consent, emergency procedures, and neonatal resuscitation. Staff must be trained in neonatal resuscitation and have current certification. The center must keep detailed medical records and have a process for reviewing outcomes and adverse events.
AABC members must carry liability insurance and maintain equipment for emergency care, including oxygen, medications for hemorrhage and seizures, and equipment for newborn resuscitation. The center must also have a process for screening which pregnancies are appropriate for birth center care and which should be referred to a hospital.
How AABC membership is reviewed and maintained
Birth centers seeking AABC membership undergo an initial review of their policies, staff credentials, and physical space. The organization conducts site visits and requests documentation of protocols, training records, and outcome data. This process typically takes several months.
Once a center is admitted to membership, it must renew every three years. Renewal requires submission of updated information, outcome data from the past three years, and evidence that staff credentials remain current. AABC can revoke membership if a center fails to maintain standards or does not respond to concerns raised during review.
The organization also publishes an annual list of member centers on its website, organized by state. You can search this list to confirm whether a specific birth center holds current membership.
What AABC membership does not cover
AABC membership does not mean your insurance will cover the cost of birth center care. Insurance coverage depends on your specific plan and your state's regulations. Some plans cover birth center births; others do not. You will need to contact your insurance company directly to find out whether they cover the birth center you are considering.
Membership also does not mean the birth center is licensed by your state. Licensing is a separate process. In some states, birth centers must be licensed; in others, licensing is optional or does not exist. You can find out whether your state licenses birth centers by contacting your state health department.
AABC membership does not regulate the cost of birth center care. Fees vary widely between centers and are set by each individual business. Membership does not set a price ceiling or floor.
How to find AABC member birth centers in your area
The AABC website includes a searchable directory of member birth centers. You can search by state or zip code to see which centers near you hold membership. The directory includes the center's contact information and sometimes a link to the center's own website.
Finding a center in the directory confirms it holds current AABC membership, but it does not tell you whether it is accepting new clients, what its fees are, or whether it accepts your insurance. You will need to contact the center directly for that information.
If you do not find a birth center in your area in the AABC directory, it does not mean no birth centers exist nearby. It means no AABC member centers operate in that location. You can search for non-member birth centers through your state health department, your insurance company's provider directory, or by asking your primary care doctor for a referral.
AABC membership versus state licensing
State licensing and AABC membership are two separate systems. A birth center can hold one, both, or neither, depending on where it operates and what it chooses to do.
| Aspect | AABC Membership | State Licensing |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | American Association of Birth Centers (national organization) | Your state health department |
| Is it required | No — voluntary | Depends on your state; some states require it, others do not |
| What it reviews | Staffing credentials, protocols, equipment, outcomes, emergency procedures | Varies by state; typically includes staffing, safety, and record-keeping |
| How often reviewed | Every three years for renewal | Varies by state; typically every one to three years |
| Can it be revoked | Yes, if standards are not maintained | Yes, if violations are found |
If you are choosing between two birth centers and one holds AABC membership while the other does not, AABC membership indicates the center has chosen to meet a national standard. That does not automatically make it safer or better — it means it has undergone a specific review process and agreed to specific requirements. A non-member center may be excellent and may be licensed by your state. The choice depends on what matters to you and what information you can gather about each center.
Questions to ask a birth center about its credentials and standards
When you contact a birth center, you can ask directly whether it holds AABC membership. You can also ask about state licensing, the credentials of the midwives who work there, what protocols they follow for emergencies, and what their transfer rate to hospital is. These questions help you understand what standards the center meets and how it operates.
You can also ask to see the center's written protocols for labor management, infection control, and emergency procedures. Many centers will share these with prospective clients. You can ask about the center's outcomes — how many births they attend per year, what percentage result in transfer to a hospital, and what their rates of intervention are. This information helps you understand the center's experience and approach.
If a center holds AABC membership, you can verify this by checking the AABC directory. If it claims to be state-licensed, you can verify this by contacting your state health department directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AABC membership mean the birth center is safe?
AABC membership means the center has met specific national standards for staffing, equipment, protocols, and emergency procedures. It does not may provide safety — no organization can may provide that. It does mean the center has undergone a detailed review and agreed to maintain certain requirements. Whether a center is right for you depends on your individual health, preferences, and what you learn about the center's specific practices.
Can I use my insurance at an AABC member birth center?
AABC membership does not determine insurance coverage. You must contact your insurance company to ask whether they cover birth center care and whether they have a contract with the specific center you are considering. Some plans cover AABC member centers; others do not. Some plans cover non-member centers. Coverage depends entirely on your plan.
What if there is no AABC member birth center near me?
AABC membership is voluntary, so many birth centers do not belong. You can search for non-member birth centers through your state health department, your insurance company's provider directory, or by asking your doctor for a referral. You can also ask any birth center you find whether it is state-licensed and what standards it meets.
Is an AABC member birth center better than a hospital birth?
AABC membership and hospital birth are different settings with different approaches. Which is better depends on your health, your preferences, and what you want from your birth experience. Both can be safe when appropriate clients are selected and emergency protocols are in place. Your choice should be based on your individual situation and what you learn about each option.
How do I know if a birth center is state-licensed?
Contact your state health department and ask whether birth centers are licensed in your state and whether a specific center holds a license. Some states license birth centers; others do not. If your state does not license birth centers, AABC membership or other credentials become more important in evaluating a center's standards.