TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING
REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The Board of Medicine is claiming an exemption from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act in accordance with § 2.2-4006 A 4 a of the Code of Virginia, which excludes regulations that are necessary to conform to changes in Virginia statutory law or the appropriation act where no agency discretion is involved. The Board of Medicine will receive, consider, and respond to petitions by any interested person at any time with respect to reconsideration or revision.
Title of Regulation: 18VAC85-170. Regulations Governing the Practice of Genetic Counselors (amending 18VAC85-170-60).
Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2957.18 of the Code of Virginia.
Effective Date: October 4, 2017.
Agency Contact: William L. Harp, M.D., Executive Director, Board of Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4558, FAX (804) 527-4429, or email william.harp@dhp.virginia.gov.
Summary:
The amendment conforms to Chapter 422 of the 2017 Acts of the Assembly by extending the date of the grandfather provision for waiving the requirements of a master's degree and American Board of Genetic Counseling or American Board of Medical Genetics certification as prerequisites for licensure.
18VAC85-170-60. Licensure requirements.
A. An applicant for a license to practice as a genetic counselor shall provide documentation of (i) a master's degree from a genetic counseling training program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Genetic Counseling and (ii) a current, valid certificate issued by the ABGC or ABMG to practice genetic counseling.
B. Pursuant to § 54.1-2957.19 D of the Code of Virginia, applicants for licensure who do not meet the requirements of subsection A of this section may be issued a license provided they (i) apply for licensure before July 1, 2016 December 31, 2018; (ii) comply with the board's regulations relating to the NSGC Code of Ethics; (iii) have at least 20 years of documented work experience practicing genetic counseling; (iv) submit two letters of recommendation, one from a genetic counselor and another from a physician; and (v) have completed, within the last five years, 25 hours of continuing education approved by the NSGC or the ABGC. For the purpose of this subsection, the board deems the provisions of Part IV (18VAC85-170-110 et seq.) of this chapter to be consistent with the NSGC Code of Ethics.
C. An applicant for a temporary license shall provide documentation of having been granted the active candidate status by the ABGC. Such license shall expire 12 months from issuance or upon expiration of active candidate status, whichever comes first.
VA.R. Doc. No. R18-5192; Filed August 7, 2017, 6:45 p.m.