Pennsylvania Licensure Requirements
Master's Degree
1 Examination
No Experience Requirement
3 Hours of Continuing Education
$50.00 Initial Fee
$75.00 Renewal Fee
An individual who is licensed to practice genetic counseling by the State Board of Medicine. Genetic counseling is the counseling of individuals to address the physical and psychological issues associated with the occurrence or risk of occurrence of a genetic disorder, birth defect or genetically influenced condition or disease in an individual or a family.
Degree Requirement:
Master's Degree
An applicant must hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in human genetics or genetic counseling from an American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC)-accredited or American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG)accredited educational program or has met the requirements for certification by the ABGC or the ABMG.
Examination Requirement:
1 Exam
An applicant must pass the examination for certification as a genetic counselor by the ABGC or the ABMG or has passed the examination for certification as a Ph.D. medical geneticist by the ABMG.
Experience:
No Experience Requirement for licensure
Continuing Education:
3 Hours (for initial licensure)
Applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting for initial licensure.
30 Hours (when renewing license)
As a condition for biennial renewal, a genetic counselor must complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education, which must include 2 hours of approved training in how to recognize and report child abuse.
Initial Licensing Fee:
$50.00
Licensure Renewal Fee:
$75.00
Licensure by Endorsement under Section 27 of the Medical Practice Act:
The Board will grant a license without restriction to an applicant who does not meet the standard license requirements if the applicant has achieved cumulative qualifications that are endorsed by the Board as being equivalent to the standard requirements for the license.
Licensure by Act 41:
Act 41 promotes licensure portability for out-of-state professionals seeking to work in Pennsylvania. Act 41 authorizes all licensing boards and commissions within the Commonwealth to endorse licenses issued by other states, territories, and jurisdictions, provided the applicant meets certain criteria. Specifically, an applicant must:
- Hold a current, active license in good standing in another jurisdiction whose licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to or exceed Pennsylvania’s.
- Have no disciplinary action or criminal convictions.
- Have been actively engaged in the licensed practice of the profession for at least two of the last five years.
- Demonstrate competence, as determined by the Board; this may include education, continuing education, or other standards set by the Board.
- Meet any other administrative requirements such as fees.