(225 ILCS 135/20)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 20. Restrictions and limitations.

(a) Except as provided in Section 15, no person shall, without a valid license as a genetic counselor issued by the Department (i) in any manner hold himself or herself out to the public as a genetic counselor under this Act; (ii) use in connection with his or her name or place of business the title "genetic counselor", "licensed genetic counselor", "gene counselor", "genetic consultant", or "genetic associate" or any words, letters, abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying a person has met the qualifications for or has the license issued under this Act; or (iii) offer to render or render to individuals, corporations, or the public genetic counseling services if the words "genetic counselor" or "licensed genetic counselor" are used to describe the person offering to render or rendering them, or "genetic counseling" is used to describe the services rendered or offered to be rendered.

(b) (Blank).

(c) No association or partnership shall practice genetic counseling unless every member, partner, and employee of the association or partnership who practices genetic counseling or who renders genetic counseling services holds a valid license issued under this Act. No license shall be issued to a corporation, the stated purpose of which includes or which practices or which holds itself out as available to practice genetic counseling, unless it is organized under the Professional Service Corporation Act.

(d) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as permitting persons licensed as genetic counselors to engage in any manner in the practice of medicine in all its branches as defined by law in this State.

(e) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize a licensed genetic counselor to diagnose or treat any genetic or other disease or condition.

(f) When, in the course of providing genetic counseling services to any person, a genetic counselor licensed under this Act finds any indication of a disease or condition that in his or her professional judgment requires professional service outside the scope of practice as defined in this Act, he or she shall refer that person to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches.

(Source: P.A. 98-813, eff. 1-1-15; 99-173, eff. 7-29-15; 99-633, eff. 1-1-17.)