Genetic counsellor

Genetic counselors are health science professionals who educate clients about their chances of producing children with chromosomal, or genetic abnormalities, or other forms of inherited disease. The certification and training of genetic counselors varies according to country in the world.

North America

The American Board of Genetic Counseling [1]sets training requirements and certifies genetc counselors in the United States and Canada.ABGC certification before 1996 was an unlimted status, but since that year certification is time limited for a maximum of ten years, recertification is required through either completion of continuing education, or reexamination.

Education requirements to become eligble for the certification examination include a masters degree or higher graduate degree in accredited programs in genetic counseling in the United States or Canada. Graduates of graduate level international programs may apply to take the International Genetic Counselor Certification test, given by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

In 2005, there were over 2000 genetic counselors who had been certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. There are 27 accredited programs in the USA [2] and 3 in Canada [3] .