                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

GENETIC COUNSELING; REGULATION OF THE PRACTICE; LICENSE REQUIRED; LICENSURE;
TEMPORARY LICENSE (§ 54.1-2957.19)

A. The Board shall adopt regulations governing the practice of genetic
counseling, upon consultation with the Advisory Board on Genetic Counseling. The
regulations shall (i) set forth the requirements for licensure to practice
genetic counseling, (ii) provide for appropriate application and renewal fees,
(iii) include requirements for licensure renewal and continuing education, (iv)
be consistent with the American Board of Genetic Counseling&#8217;s current job
description for the profession and the standards of practice of the National
Society of Genetic Counselors, and (v) allow for independent practice.

B. It shall be unlawful for a person to practice or hold himself out as
practicing genetic counseling in the Commonwealth without a valid, unrevoked
license issued by the Board. No unlicensed person may use in connection with his
name or place of business the title &#8220;genetic counselor,&#8221;
&#8220;licensed genetic counselor,&#8221; &#8220;gene counselor,&#8221;
&#8220;genetic consultant,&#8221; or &#8220;genetic associate&#8221; or any
words, letters, abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying a person holds
a genetic counseling license.

C. An applicant for licensure as a genetic counselor shall submit evidence
satisfactory to the Board that the applicant (i) has earned a master&#8217;s
degree from a genetic counseling training program that is accredited by the
Accreditation Council of Genetic Counseling and (ii) holds a current, valid
certificate issued by the American Board of Genetic Counseling or American Board
of Medical Genetics to practice genetic counseling.

D. The Board shall waive the requirements of a master&#8217;s degree and
American Board of Genetic Counseling or American Board of Medical Genetics
certification for license applicants who (i) apply for licensure before December
31, 2018, or within 90 days of the effective date of the regulations promulgated
by the Board pursuant to subsection A, whichever is later; (ii) comply with the
Board&#8217;s regulations relating to the National Society of Genetic Counselors
Code of Ethics; (iii) have at least 20 years of documented work experience
practicing genetic counseling; (iv) submit two letters of recommendation, one
from a genetic counselor and another from a physician; and (v) have completed,
within the last five years, 25 hours of continuing education approved by the
National Society of Genetic Counselors or the American Board of Genetic
Counseling.

E. The Board may grant a temporary license to an applicant who has been granted
Active Candidate Status by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and has paid
the temporary license fee. Temporary licenses shall be valid for a period of up
to one year. An applicant shall not be eligible for temporary license renewal
upon expiration of Active Candidate Status as defined by the American Board of
Genetic Counseling. A person practicing genetic counseling under a temporary
license shall be supervised by a licensed genetic counselor or physician.

HISTORY: 2014, cc. 10, 266; 2017, c. 422.