Jill Duggar Gets Certified as a Professional Midwife

Jill Duggar isn’t going to be a full-time stay-at-home mom, at least not for now. The former 19 Kids and Counting star has been officially certified as a professional midwife, her husband, Derick Dillard, announced on the young family’s blog on Friday, Sept. 18.

“As of Wednesday, Sept. 16, and after the seven-hour comprehensive exam for certified professional midwives, she is now ‘Jill Dillard, CPM,’” Derick, 26, boasted of his wife. “I am so proud of her for her diligence, perseverance, and hard work to see this long road through to its end and reaching her goal of becoming a CPM.”

He went on to add that her certification will be of benefit to the missionary work that the couple is currently doing in Central America.

Jill, 24, also shared a sweet family photo on Instagram of herself holding the couple’s 5-month-old son, Israel, in front of a door that has a congratulatory poster taped to it.

As fans of the hit TLC know, the 24-year-old mom has long been involved in midwifery, and has helped deliver quite a few children already in her native Arkansas.

Jill’s certification is a bright spot for the family after months of scandal that began in May, when reports surfaced that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's eldest son, Josh, had molested underage girls when he was a young teen. He later admitted that he had “acted inexcusably” and was “extremely sorry.” Later, Jill and her younger sister Jessa stepped forward as two of his five victims. Both women have said they have forgiven their brother.

In August, hackers released stolen subscriber data from infidelity website Ashley Madison, which revealed that Josh had accounts. He released a statement admitting that he was addicted to porn and had cheated on his wife, Anna, with whom he has four young children. He has since entered a faith-based rehab center.

TLC canceled the family’s long-running show in July.