§ 422.13d. Genetic counselor
Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated StatutesTitle 63 P.S. Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)Effective: February 21, 2012
Effective: February 21, 2012
63 P.S. § 422.13d
§ 422.13d. Genetic counselor
(b) Use of title.--An individual who holds an active license as provided by this act may hold himself out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the term “genetic counselor” or use any words or symbols indicating that the individual is a genetic counselor, except as otherwise provided by this act.
(2) When in the course of providing genetic counseling services to a client, if a genetic counselor finds any indication of a disease or condition that requires diagnosis and treatment outside the scope of practice defined in this section, the genetic counselor shall refer the client to a licensed physician or appropriate health care practitioner.
(3) A student enrolled in an ABGC-accredited or ABMG-accredited genetic counseling educational program, an ABMG-accredited medical genetics educational program or a graduate nursing education program in genetics, if the counseling is an integral part of the student's course of study and is performed under the direct supervision of a genetic counselor, licensed physician, certified registered nurse practitioner with a specialty or subspecialty in genetics or clinical nurse specialist with a specialty or subspecialty in genetics.
(1) The person has received a master's or higher degree in genetics or a related field of study and has worked as a genetic counselor for a minimum of three continuous years preceding the enactment of this section or has received a bachelor's degree in genetics or a related field of study and has been employed as a genetic counselor for at least ten continuous years prior to the enactment of this section.
(2) The person submits at least three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a genetic counselor certified by ABGC or ABMG and one must be from either a clinical geneticist certified by ABMG or a medical geneticist certified by ABMG. A person who submits a letter of recommendation must have worked with the applicant in an employment setting during the previous ten continuous years and can attest to the applicant's competency in providing genetic counseling services.
(1) The board may issue a provisional license to practice genetic counseling to a person who meets all of the qualifications for licensure except for the certification requirement of subsection (e)(4), provided that the person has been granted active candidate status establishing eligibility to sit for the next available certification examination by ABGC or ABMG.
(i) Reciprocal disciplinary action.--Disciplinary action taken by the board against a person who is a genetic counselor shall be enforceable by the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine against the person if the person holds or seeks a license to practice as a genetic counselor with the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine.
(1) For each license renewal, a licensee shall complete within the immediately preceding two-year period at least 30 hours of continuing education as approved by the board. The licensee shall provide the board with evidence of the completion of the continuing education. No credit shall be given for any course in office management or practice building.
(4) Continuing education programs and program providers under this subsection shall be approved by the board in accordance with standards and criteria established by the board by regulation. The regulation shall include any fees necessary to implement this provision and provide for waiver of the continuing education requirement due to illness or hardship in any licensing renewal period.
(1) A licensee under this section, practicing in this Commonwealth, shall maintain a level of professional liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence or claims made. Failure to maintain insurance coverage as required shall subject the licensee to disciplinary proceedings. The board shall accept as satisfactory evidence of insurance coverage any of the following:
(2) An applicant shall provide proof that the applicant has obtained professional liability insurance in accordance with paragraph (1). It is sufficient if the applicant files with the application a copy of a letter from the applicant's professional liability insurance carrier indicating that the applicant will be covered against professional liability in the required amounts effective upon the issuance of the applicant's license to practice genetic counseling in this Commonwealth.
(4) The board shall adopt by regulation standards and procedures established by the Insurance Commissioner for self-insurance. In the absence of these standards and procedures, the board, after consultation with the Insurance Commissioner, shall establish standards and procedures by regulation for self-insurance under this subsection.
Credits
1985, Dec. 20, P.L. 457, No. 112, § 13.4, added 2011, Dec. 22, P.L. 576, No. 125, § 2, effective in 60 days [Feb. 21, 2012].
63 P.S. § 422.13d, PA ST 63 P.S. § 422.13d
Current through Act 13 of the 2024 Regular Session. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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