| License Description |
Occupational Description
Genetic Counselors assess individual and/or family risks for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. They may provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions and advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. They may also help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.
Licensure Requirements
To receive a license to practice as a Genetic Counselor in Nebraska, an individual must either:
A. Be certified as a Genetic Counselor by either the National Genetic Counseling Board or the National Medical Genetics Board;
-OR-
B. Hold a credential that authorizes the individual to engage in the profession of genetic counseling which would otherwise be unlawful, from the District of Columbia or any state, territory, or possession of the United States, or any province of Canada.
Provisional License-
To receive a provisional license to practice as a Genetic Counselor, an individual must have been granted active candidate status by the National Genetic Counseling Board.
A provisional license is valid for no more than one year from the date of issuance, but may be renewed for one additional year if the applicant fails the certification examination one time.
An application for renewal of the provisional license must:
1. Be signed by both the provisional license holder and a qualified supervisor;
2. Be filed within 30 days of when the applicant fails to pass the complete certification examination;
3. Provide documentation of maintaining active candidate status with the national genetic counseling board or the national medical genetics board.
Fees
Initial License Fee- $150.00 ($37.50 if initial license is obtained within 6 months prior to the next expirationdate)Provisional License Fee- $150.00 Initial License Fee Waiver:Beginning January 1, 2020, the initial licensure fee will be waived for applicants of licenses issued underthe Uniform Credentialing Act who are:1) A Young Worker (between the ages of 18 – 25 (or, 17 – 25 if licensed under the CosmetologyPractice Act));2) Military Family (active duty service members, military spouses, honorably dischargedveterans, spouses of honorably discharged veterans, and un-remarried surviving spouses ofdeceased service members); and,3) Low-Income (enrolled in a state or federal public assistant program like SNAP, TANF, etc orwhose household adjusted gross income is below 130% of the federal income povertyguideline).What Will This Not Affect?This change in statute will not waive the fee for criminal background checks for those professions thatrequire one. It will not waive the fee required for renewal or reinstatement of licensure, even if thelicensee could be classified as a young worker, military family, or low-income. The law will not waive thePatient Safety fee required of physicians, osteopathic physicians, or physician assistants.There is a fee waiver available for active duty military personnel for renewal listed under a separatestatute.
Renewal
Renewal is required by October 1 of every even-numbered year, regardless of when the license was issued. The renewal fee is $110.
Renewal of a Genetic Counselor's license requires ONE of the following to meet the continuing competency requirement:
A. Recertification with the American Board of Genetic Counseling by examination or by continuing education;
-OR-
B. Recertification with the American Board of Medical Genetics by participating in Maintenance of Certification. |