You have spent countless hours as a labor and delivery nurse, guiding new lives in this world and taking care of mothers; now is the time to level up your career. If you have 2 years of experience as a labor and delivery nurse, then become a travel nurse that offers flexibility, high pay, and professional growth. In this blog, we will discuss the top travel labor and delivery certifications to boost your career in SkillGigs.
If you are already a travel nurse, then join SkillGigs and explore high-paying travel nursing jobs. Find travel labor and delivery jobs now:
Top certifications for travel labor and delivery nurses in 2026
Certifications are important for nurses and travel nurses because certifications improve job opportunities, increase their earning potential, and demonstrate their clinical expertise. Here are the top certifications for travel labor and delivery nurses to boost their careers.
Inpatient Obstetric Nursing Certification (RNC‑OB)
RNC-OB stands for Inpatient Obstetric nursing certification and is awarded by the National Certification Corporation (NCC). This certification is for the registered nurses who provide care to women during labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period. This certification focuses on high-risk and low-risk obstetrics.
Electronic Fetal Monitoring (CEFM)
C-EFM stands for Certified Electronic Fetal Monitoring and is awarded by the National Certification Corporation (NCC). This certification indicates that nurses can accurately interpret fetal heart rate tracings and uterine activity. This is an important certification for labor and delivery RNs and often a contract requirement for travel nursing jobs.
MaternalNewborn Nursing Certification (RNCMNN)
(RNC‑MNN) stands for Maternal‑Newborn Nursing Certification awarded by the National Certification Corporation (NCC) and focuses on postpartum and newborn care. This certification indicates that nurses can safely manage postpartum complications and provide high-quality newborn care. It focuses on the following:
- Newborn assessment
- Breastfeeding support
- Patient education
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
NRP stands for Neonatal Resuscitation Program and is developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Heart Association (AHA). This certification helps nurses to respond quickly of newborn baby is having some complications, such as difficulty in breathing. It teaches standardize approach to newborn resuscitation. This certification focuses on the following:
- Term vs preterm identification.
- Teach neonatal resuscitation skills.
- Maintaining high standards for infant safety.
Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
IBCLC stands for International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and is awarded by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE). It represents advanced and evidence-based lactation practice. This certification focuses on the following:
- Breastfeeding and lactation support, such as latch and positioning difficulties, nipple pain and trauma, low milk supply, etc.
- Premature and NICU feeding challenges.
- Tongue tie assessment support, etc.
Some of the other labor and delivery certifications that are important to boost careers are as follows:
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support): Focus on cardiac emergency management for both the baby and the mother.
- BLS (Basic Life Support: This certification is required, and it is a CPR certification for all ages.
- PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support): It prepares for pediatric emergencies.
Types of labor and delivery nurses and certifications that can help them excel in their careers
Staff labor and delivery nurse certifications
Staff labor and delivery nurse: These registered RNs work in the hospital as permanent staff providing care to the mother during labor, delivery, and after birth. Some recommended certifications for staff labor and delivery nurses are as follows:
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
- Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) Certification
- Certified Labor and Delivery Nurse (CLDN)
Labor and delivery charge nurse/ clinical nurse
They oversee L&D unit operations and manage complex patient situations. Some recommended certifications for labor and delivery charge nurse/ clinical nurses are:
- RN License & BLS
- NRP & EFM Certification
- CLDN or Inpatient Obstetric Nursing Certification
- Leadership or Management Training
Perinatal nurse
These registered nurses focus on high-risk patients, providing care throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Some recommended certifications for perinatal nurses are as follows:
- BLS
- NRP
- Maternal-Fetal Nursing (RNC-MNN)
- Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM)
Postpartum/ mother baby nurse
These registered L&D nurses focus on after-delivery care for the mother and newborn baby, such as teaching breastfeeding, taking care of the newborn, etc. Certifications that are recommended for postpartum or mother-baby nurses are as follows:
- BLS
- NRP
- Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB)
- Lactation Certification (IBCLC)
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse or NICU
These registered L&D nurses take care of critically ill newborn babies immediately after delivery. Certifications that can boost their career are as follows:
- RN License & BLS
- NRP
- Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing Certification (RNC-NIC)
- PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
Travel labor and delivery (L&D) nurse
Travel labor nurses work on temporary assignments across the US where there is a shortage of staff. Recommended nursing (L&D) certifications for travel labor and delivery nurses that can boost their career are:
- BLS
- NRP
- EFM Certification
- CLDN
- RNC-OB
How to become an L&D (Labor and Delivery) Travel nurse?
If you want to level up your career and make more money while traveling, then becoming L&D nurse is the best career option for you that gives you high pay, flexibility, and freedom. Here is the step-by-step guide on how to become a travel labor and delivery (L&D) nurse in 2026.
- Choose a nursing degree, such as BSN or AND
- Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and get a nursing license. If you are interested in travel nursing roles, it is better to get a Compact State Nursing License (insert NLC blog) to work in compact states without applying for separate licenses.
- Gain clinical experience and at least 2 years of experience if you want to become a travel nurse.
- Once you have education, experience, and licenses, it is time to make your SkillGigs profile so you can search for top-paying L&D travel nursing jobs.
Conclusion
If you want to advance your career as a labor and delivery nurse, then becoming a travel L&D nurse is the best career option for you. You can boost your L&D nurse career by getting advanced certifications such as RNCOB, CEFM, RNCMNN, NRP, and IBCLC. These certifications will open doors to new opportunities and high-paying travel nursing jobs. If you already have 2 years of experience, certifications, and an active nursing license, then join SkillGigs and become a travel nurse with us. We promise high-paying travel nursing contracts and a $500 bonus once you sign your first contract with us.
