Objective: to compare and contrast competencies of midwives with single or dual qualifications at the point of registration in Scotland.Design: self-completing survey using the Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital’s Skills’ Inventory by midwives at the point of registration and by Supervisors of Midwives analysed using non-parametric statistical tests. Content analysis of semi-structured interviews with experienced midwives and Supervisors of Midwives.Setting: midwifery education and practice settings throughout Scotland.Participants: 157 midwives at the point of registration, 166 Supervisors of Midwives.Measurements: Mann–Whitney and Kruskal Wallis analysis of skills of midwives at the point of registration in prenatal, labour, post-natal, neonatal areas and extended skills areas.Findings/implications for practice: all newly qualified midwives in Scotland, regardless of their educational preparation, are capable of providing care for women and babies in normal midwifery situations. While support for the direct entry programmes has been clearly demonstrated, this is not unanimous, although as more direct entry midwives take up positions, attitudes are becoming more positive.