Regulation .06 Application for Initial Licensure as a Genetic Counselor.
Regulation .06 Application for Initial Licensure as a Genetic Counselor.LinkCopy Citation
A.
An applicant for a license as a licensed genetic counselor or a supervised genetic counselor shall:
(1)
Complete an application on a form provided by the Board;
(2)
Pay the required application fee set by the Board in accordance with Regulation .12 of this chapter;
(3)
Be 18 years old or older;
(4)
Be of good moral character;
(5)
Demonstrate spoken and written competency in English by any of the following:
(a)
Documentation of graduation from a recognized English-speaking high school or undergraduate school after at least 3 years of enrollment;
(b)
Documentation of graduation from a recognized English-speaking professional school; or
(c)
Documentation of receiving a grade of at least:
(i)
26 on the “Speaking Section” of the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language; and
(ii)
79 on the total score of the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language;
(6)
If applicable, provide documentation of licensure, certification, or registration from all states and jurisdictions where the applicant has ever held a license, certificate, or registration in any health profession;
(7)
Have no history of public disciplinary action taken, or pending, against any license currently or previously held or expired; and
(8)
Complete a criminal history records check in accordance with Health Occupations Article, §14-308.1, Annotated Code of Maryland.
B.
An applicant for a license as a licensed genetic counselor or a supervised genetic counselor shall submit satisfactory evidence of graduation from an accredited educational program.
C.
Except as provided in § D of this regulation, an applicant for a license as a licensed genetic counselor shall submit to the Board satisfactory evidence of certification by a national certifying board.
D.
If an applicant for a license as a licensed genetic counselor does not meet the requirement under §C of this regulation, the applicant may qualify for licensure as a licensed genetic counselor if the applicant:
(1)
Has worked as a genetic counselor for:
(a)
At least 10 years before January 1, 2024; and
(b)
At least 5 consecutive years immediately preceding the date on which the applicant submits the application for licensure;
(2)
Has graduated from an accredited educational program;
(3)
Submits to the Board three letters of recommendation from licensed physicians who have been licensed for at least 5 years or certified genetic counselors eligible for licensure and who:
(a)
Have worked with the applicant in an employment or professional setting for 3 years before the applicant submits the application for licensure; and
(b)
Can attest to the applicant’s competency in providing genetic counseling services.
E.
An applicant for a license as a supervised genetic counselor shall submit to the Board satisfactory evidence that the applicant has applied for the first available national certifying examination.
F.
The Board may not issue a supervised genetic counselor license to an applicant if the applicant has failed the national certifying examination two or more times.