Rhode Island § 5-92-6 - Genetic Counselors Licensing Act

§ 5-92-6. Genetic counselors — License applications — Fee — Educational and professional requirements.

An application for an original license or license renewal shall be made on forms approved by the department. The initial fee for application for licensure is one hundred seventy dollars ($170). Licenses shall be renewed every twenty-four (24) months after initial licensure upon payment of a fee of one hundred seventy dollars ($170) and in compliance with any additional requirements that the department promulgates. An applicant for an original license shall:

(1) Meet educational experience qualifications as follows:

(i) Successfully completed a genetic counseling education program approved by the department; provided, however, that the program shall meet the educational standards established by the ACGC or its successor; and provided, further, that the genetic counselor remains certified in accordance with the ABGC or ABMG, or their successors; or

(ii) Earned a master’s degree from a genetic counseling training program that is accredited by the ACGC or an equivalent as determined by the ACGC, or a doctoral degree from a medical genetics training program that is accredited by the ABMG or an equivalent as determined by the ABMG.

(2) Have passed the examination for certification as:

(i) A genetic counselor by the American Board of Genetic Counseling or the American Board of Medical Genetics, or successor or equivalent; or

(ii) A medical geneticist by the American Board of Medical Genetics, or successor or equivalent.

(3) Within six (6) months after licensure applications being available, an applicant for a license as a genetic counselor may, in lieu of the requirements set forth in subsection (2) of this section, submit evidence satisfactory to the department, prior to the date of passage of this chapter [June 29, 2022], of the following:

(i) Acquisition of eight (8) years of experience in the practice of genetic counseling;

(ii) Award, from an accredited institution of higher education, of a master’s or doctoral degree in genetics or a related field; and

(iii) Attendance at a continuing education program approved by the National Society of Genetic Counselors within the five-year (5) period prior to the date of application.