Chapter Gen Couns 2

Gen Couns 2.01   Initial licensure.

Gen Couns 2.02   Temporary licensure.

Gen Couns 2.03   Reciprocal credentials for service members, former service members, and their spouses.

Gen Couns 2.04   Title protection.

Gen Couns 2.05   Exceptions.

Gen Couns 2.01 Gen Couns 2.01 Initial licensure.

Gen Couns 2.01(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), the board shall grant a license as a genetic counselor to an applicant who does all of the following:

Gen Couns 2.01(1)(a) (a) Submits a completed application form.

Gen Couns 2.01 Note Note: Instructions for applications are available from the department of safety and professional services’ website at http://dsps.wi.gov.

Gen Couns 2.01(1)(b) (b) Pays the fee determined by the department under s. 440.05 (1), Stats.

Gen Couns 2.01(1)(c) (c) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, Stats., submits evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant does not have an arrest or conviction record.

Gen Couns 2.01(1)(d) (d) Submits evidence satisfactory to the board of one of the following:

Gen Couns 2.01(1)(d)1. 1. Successful completion of the academic and clinical requirements of and developed the practice-based competencies required by a degree-granting program in genetic counseling that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling or the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics.

Gen Couns 2.01(1)(d)2. 2. Successful completion of a degree-granting program outside of the United States that the board determines is substantially equivalent to a program described in subd. 1.

Gen Couns 2.01(1)(e) (e) Submits evidence satisfactory to the board of having successfully passed an examination administered by the American Board of Genetic Counseling or the genetic counseling examination administered by the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics.

Gen Couns 2.01(1)(f) (f) Submits evidence of current certification with the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Gen Couns 2.01(2) (2) The board may waive the requirements of subs. (1) (d), (e), and (f) if the applicant holds an unexpired genetic counselor license issued by another state, territory, foreign country, or province and the requirements for licensure and for renewal of a genetic counselor license of the other state, territory, foreign country, or province are deemed by the board to be substantially equivalent to the requirements for licensure and for renewal of a genetic counselor of this state.

Gen Couns 2.01 History History: EmR2313: emerg. cr., eff. 9-15-23; CR 23-061: cr. Register May 2024 No. 821, eff. 6-1-24; correction in (title), (1) (d) 2. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2024 No. 821.

Gen Couns 2.02 Gen Couns 2.02 Temporary licensure.

Gen Couns 2.02(1) (1) The board may issue a temporary license to an applicant who has completed all of the following:

Gen Couns 2.02(1)(a) (a) Submits a completed application for licensure and a completed application for a temporary license.

Gen Couns 2.02 Note Note: Instructions for applications are available from the department of safety and professional services’ website at http://dsps.wi.gov.

Gen Couns 2.02(1)(b) (b) Pays the fee determined by the department under s. 440.05 (1), Stats.

Gen Couns 2.02(1)(c) (c) Submits evidence of completion of the education requirements from s. Gen Couns 2.01 (1) (d).

Gen Couns 2.02(1)(d) (d) Submits evidence of current active candidate status with the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Gen Couns 2.02(1)(e) (e) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, Stats., submits evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant does not have an arrest or conviction record.

Gen Couns 2.02(2) (2) A person granted a temporary license to practice genetic counseling under this section shall practice at all times under the supervision and direction of a licensed genetic counselor or physician.

Gen Couns 2.02(3) (3) Except as provided in sub. (4), a temporary license issued under this section expires upon granting of a license under s. 448.9704 (1), Stats. or on whichever of the following dates occurs first:

Gen Couns 2.02(3)(a) (a) The date that is one year after the date on which the temporary license was granted.

Gen Couns 2.02(3)(b) (b) The date that is 30 days after the American Board of Genetic Counseling issues the results of the examination under s. 448.9704 (1) (d) 2., Stats.

Gen Couns 2.02(4) (4) The board may grant a one time renewal of a temporary license, for a period specified by the board, if the person maintains active candidate status with the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Gen Couns 2.02(5) (5) The board may require an applicant for the renewal of a temporary license to appear before a member of the board for an interview.

Gen Couns 2.02 History History: EmR2313: emerg. cr., eff. 9-15-23; CR 23-061: cr. Register May 2024 No. 821, eff. 6-1-24; correction in (1) (c) made under ss. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. and 35.17, Stats., Register May 2024 No. 821.

Gen Couns 2.03 Gen Couns 2.03 Reciprocal credentials for service members, former service members, and their spouses. A reciprocal license to practice as a genetic counselor shall be granted to a service member, former service member, or the spouse of a service member or former service member who the board determines meets all of the requirements under s. 440.09 (2), Stats. Subject to s. 440.09 (2m), Stats., the board may request verification necessary to make a determination under this section.

Gen Couns 2.03 History History: EmR2313: emerg. cr., eff. 9-15-23; CR 23-061: cr. Register May 2024 No. 821, eff. 6-1-24.

Gen Couns 2.04 Gen Couns 2.04 Title protection. No person may designate themselves as a genetic counselor or use or assume the title “genetic associate,” “genetic counselor,” “licensed genetic counselor,” or “registered genetic counselor,” or append to the person’s name the letters “G.A.,” “G.C.,” “L.G.C.,” or “R.G.C.,” or use any insignia or designation that would imply that the individual is licensed or certified or registered as a genetic counselor, or claim to render genetic counseling services unless the person is licensed by the board.

Gen Couns 2.04 History History: EmR2313: emerg. cr., eff. 9-15-23; CR 23-061: cr. Register May 2024 No. 821, eff. 6-1-24.

Gen Couns 2.05 Gen Couns 2.05 Exceptions. A license to practice genetic counseling is not required for any of the following if the person does not claim to be a genetic counselor:

Gen Couns 2.05(1) (1) Any person who is lawfully practicing within the scope of a license, permit, registration, or certification granted by this state or the federal government.

Gen Couns 2.05(2) (2) Any person assisting a genetic counselor in practice under the direct, on-premises supervision of the genetic counselor.

Gen Couns 2.05(3) (3) A student of genetic counseling assisting a genetic counselor in the practice of genetic counseling if the assistance is within the scope of the student’s education and training.

Gen Couns 2.05(4) (4) Pursuant to s. 448.9701 (2) (d), Stats., a person who is licensed to practice genetic counseling in another state or country and who is providing consulting services in this state on a temporary basis. The person must notify the board that they will be providing consulting services and the nature and date of those services. The person must receive authorization from the board to provide consulting services on a temporary basis prior to the beginning of the time period they are providing those consulting services.

Gen Couns 2.05(5) (5) Pursuant to s. 448.9701 (2) (e), Stats., a person who is not licensed to practice genetic counseling in another state or country and who is providing consulting services in this state on a temporary basis, if the person satisfies all of the following:

Gen Couns 2.05(5)(a) (a) Holds a current certification by the American Board of Genetic Counseling or the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics.

Gen Couns 2.05(5)(b) (b) Submits notification to the board that they will be providing consulting services and the nature and date of those services.

Gen Couns 2.05(5)(c) (c) Receives authorization from the board to provide consulting services on a temporary basis prior to the beginning of the time period they are providing those consulting services.

Gen Couns 2.05 History History: EmR2313: emerg. cr., eff. 9-15-23; CR 23-061: cr. Register May 2024 No. 821, eff. 6-1-24.