Section 1251.10  Definitions

 

"Act" means the Genetic Counselor Licensing Act [225 ILCS 135].

 

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

 

"Director" means the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation with the authority delegated by the Secretary.

 

"Division" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation-Division of Professional Regulation.

 

"Qualified Supervisor" means a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches or a licensed genetic counselor.

 

"Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

 

Section 1251.20  Qualifications for Licensure

 

An applicant for licensure as a genetic counselor shall file an application on forms provided by the Division that shall include:

 

a)         One of the following:

 

1)         Verification that the applicant has successfully completed a Master's degree in genetic counseling from an American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) or an American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) accredited training program or an equivalent program approved by the ABGC or the ABMG;

 

2)         Verification that the applicant is a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches; or

 

3)         Verification of a doctoral degree and successful completion of an ABMG accredited medical genetics training program or an equivalent program approved by the ABMG;

 

b)         Proof of passage of an examination provided by the American Board of Genetic Counseling or the American Board of Medical Genetics;

 

c)         Current certification from the American Board of Genetic Counseling or the American Board of Medical Genetics;

 

d)         The required fee set forth in Section 1251.70; and

 

e)                  In lieu of providing an actual diploma as required under subsection (a)(1), the applicant may submit an official transcript and a letter of completion from the approved graduate program signed by the graduate program director.  Should the applicant not receive a diploma, the program director shall be required to notify the Division, which shall be grounds for immediate termination of the license, without hearing.

 

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 3895, effective March 9, 2012)

 

Section 1251.30  Examination

 

a)         The examination for licensed genetic counselors shall be the certification examination given by the American Board of Genetic Counseling or the American Board of Medical Genetics.

 

b)         The passing score on the examination shall be the passing score of the testing entity.

 

Section 1251.40  Temporary License

 

a)         An applicant for a temporary license shall file an application on forms supplied by the Division, together with:

 

1)         One of the following:

 

A)        Verification that the applicant has successfully completed a Master's degree in genetic counseling from an American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) or an American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) accredited training program or an equivalent program approved by the ABGC or the ABMG;

 

B)        Verification that he or she is a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches; or

 

C)        Verification of a doctoral degree and successful completion of an ABMG accredited medical genetics training program or an equivalent program approved by the ABMG;

 

2)         Verification of admission to the certifying examination administered by the ABGC or ABMG; and

 

3)         The required fee set forth in Section 1251.70.

 

b)         The holder of a temporary license shall practice only under the supervision of a qualified supervisor.  (Section 60 of the Act)

 

c)         A temporary license shall expire 24 months from the date of issuance.  A temporary license may only be renewed if the certifying examination administered by ABGC or ABMG is not given during that 24 month period.  A temporary license shall automatically expire upon issuance of the Illinois license or upon notification that the applicant failed the exam.

 

d)         In the event the individual fails to take the next available examination or fails to successfully complete the next available examination for licensure set forth in Section 1251.30 of this Part, the temporary license shall be void and the individual must cease practicing; failure to do so shall be considered unlicensed practice and will subject the individual to discipline in accordance with Section 25 of the Act.

 

Section 1251.50  Endorsement

 

a)         An applicant for licensure as a genetic counselor who is licensed under the laws of another state shall file an application with the Division that shall include:

 

1)         Documentation certifying that the applicant meets the education requirements set forth in Section 1251.20;

 

2)         Certification from the state or territory of original licensure and the state in which the applicant is currently licensed and practicing, if other than the original, stating the time the applicant was licensed in that state, whether the file on the applicant contains a record of any disciplinary actions taken or pending, and the applicant's license number;

 

3)         Proof of successful completion of the examination; and

 

4)         The required fee set forth in Section 1251.70.

 

b)         The Division shall examine each endorsement application to determine whether the requirements and examination in the jurisdiction at the date of licensing were substantially equivalent to the requirements and examination then in force in this State and whether the applicant has otherwise complied with the Act.

 

c)         The Division shall either issue a license by endorsement to the applicant or notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the denial of the application.

 

Section 1251.60  Renewals

 

a)         The first renewal date for licensure under the Act shall be January 31, 2011.  Thereafter, every license issued under the Act shall expire on January 31 of odd numbered years.  The holder of the license may renew the license during the month preceding the expiration date by paying the required fee and submitting proof of 30 hours of continuing education in accordance with Section 1251.100.

 

b)         It is the responsibility of each license holder to notify the Division of any change of address.  Failure to receive a renewal form from the Division shall not constitute an excuse for failure to pay the renewal fee.

 

c)         Practice on an expired license shall be considered the unlicensed practice of genetic counseling and will subject the individual to discipline or other penalties set forth in Section 95 of the Act.

 

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 3895, effective March 9, 2012)

 

Section 1251.70  Fees

 

The following fees shall be paid to the Division and are not refundable:

 

a)         Application Fees

 

1)         The fee for application for a license as a genetic counselor is $150.

 

2)         The fee for a temporary license is $50.

 

b)                  Renewal Fees

 

The fee for the renewal of a license shall be calculated at the rate of $75 per year.

 

c)         General Fees

 

1)         The fee for the restoration of a license other than from inactive status is $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $470.

 

2)         The fee for the issuance of a duplicate license, for the issuance of a replacement license for a license that has been lost or destroyed, or for the issuance of a license with a change of name or address, other than during the renewal period, is $20.  No fee is required for name and address changes on Division records when no duplicate license is issued.

 

3)         The fee for a certification of a licensee's record for any purpose is $20.

 

4)         The fee to have the scoring of an examination authorized by the Division reviewed and verified is $20 plus any fees charged by the applicable testing service.

 

5)         The fee for a wall certificate showing licensure shall be the actual cost of producing the certificate.

 

6)         The fee for a roster of persons licensed as genetic counselors in this State shall be the actual cost of producing the roster.

 

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 3895, effective March 9, 2012)

 

Section 1251.80  Restoration

 

a)         A person seeking restoration of a license that has expired for 5 years or less shall have the license restored upon payment of all lapsed renewal fees and proof of 30 hours of continuing education.

 

b)         A person seeking restoration of a license that has been placed on inactive status for 5 years or less shall have the license restored upon payment of the current renewal fee and proof of 30 hours of continuing education.

 

c)         A person seeking restoration of a license after it has expired or been placed on inactive status for more than 5 years shall file an application, on forms supplied by the Division, the required fee and proof of 30 hours of continuing education completed within the 24 months preceding the date of application.  The person shall also submit one of the following:

 

1)         Sworn evidence of active practice in another jurisdiction.  The evidence shall include a statement from the appropriate board or licensing authority in the other jurisdiction that the registrant was authorized to practice during the term of active practice; or

 

2)         An affidavit attesting to military service as provided in Section 65 of the Act; or

 

3)         Proof of passage of the certification examination within the 24 months prior to applying for restoration.

 

d)         When the accuracy of any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the course work or experience is questioned by the Division because of a lack of information, discrepancies or conflicts in information given or a need for clarification, the applicant may be required to complete a specific period of evaluated genetic counseling work experience under the supervision of a qualified supervisor and may be required to demonstrate completion of continuing education requirements.

 

e)         Upon the recommendation of the Director, an applicant shall have the license restored or will be notified in writing of the reason for the denial of the application.

 

Section 1251.90  Inactive Status

 

a)         Licensed genetic counselors who notify the Division, on forms provided by the Division, may place their licenses on inactive status and shall be excused from paying renewal fees until they notify the Division in writing of the intention to resume active practice.

 

b)         Any licensed genetic counselor seeking restoration from inactive status shall do so in accordance with Section 1251.80 of this Part.

 

c)         Any licensed genetic counselor whose license is on inactive status shall not use the title "licensed genetic counselor" in the State of Illinois.  Any person violating this subsection shall be considered to be practicing without a license and shall be subject to the disciplinary provisions set forth in Section 95 of the Act.

 

Section 1251.100  Continuing Education

 

a)         Continuing Education Hour Requirements

 

1)         Every renewal applicant shall complete 30 contact hours of continuing education (CE) relevant to the practice of genetic counseling during the pre-renewal period.  A pre-renewal period is the 24 months preceding January 31 of each odd-numbered year.

 

2)         A renewal applicant is not required to comply with CE requirements for the first renewal following the original issuance of the license.

 

3)         Genetic Counselors licensed in Illinois but residing and practicing in other states must comply with the CE requirements set forth in this Section.

 

b)         Approved Continuing Education

 

1)         All continuing education hours must be earned by verified attendance at, or participation in, a program that is offered by an approved continuing education sponsor who meets the requirements set forth in subsection (c) of this Section. Verified attendance can include participation in programs offered online by approved CE sponsors.

 

2)         Continuing education credit hours used to satisfy the CE requirements of another state may be submitted for approval for fulfillment of CE requirements of the State of Illinois.

 

3)         Credit shall not be given for courses taken in Illinois from unapproved sponsors.

 

c)         Approved continuing education sponsors and programs, as used in this Section, shall mean:

 

1)         The American Counseling Association;

 

2)         The American Board of Genetic Counselors;

 

3)         The American Board of Medical Genetics;

 

4)         The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC); or

 

5)         Any other entity approved by the Division.

 

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 1814, effective January 28, 2021)

 

Section 1251.110  Granting Variances

 

The Director may grant variances from this Part in individual cases when he or she finds that:

 

a)         The provision from which the variance is granted is not statutorily mandated;

 

b)         No party will be injured by the granting of the variance; and

 

c)         The rule from which the variance is granted would, in the particular case, be unreasonable or unnecessarily burdensome.