# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 32 — Board of Physicians

### Chapter 24 — Licensure of Genetic Counselors

#### Regulation .06 Application for Initial Licensure as a Genetic Counselor.

*COMAR 10.32.24.06*

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.