The exam was open to women between the ages of twenty-one and thirty who could produce a character reference (in the form of a certificate), had passed a relevant course approved by the Society, and who had also attended, with supervision, at least twenty-five labours (this was more than required at the licensing examinations of most medical students). Even after passing through such rigorous gatekeeping, the midwife received a licence labelling her as skilled to attend natural labours only, thus clearly delineating the boundaries of this profession.