Apply for Genetic Counselor License

Eligibility for Genetic Counseling License

A person may not practice genetic counseling, nor use the title of genetic counselor, within the state unless that person is licensed by the Board as a genetic counselor. To be eligible for a genetic counseling license, an applicant must satisfy all of the following requirements:

1. Education at one of the following levels:
   1. Master of science degree from a genetic counseling training program that is accredited by the ABGC or an ABGC - approved equivalent organization and approved by the board; or
   2. Doctoral degree from a medical genetics training program that is accredited by the ABMG and approved by the board;
2. Successful completion of all requirements of the certification examination within a period not to exceed four years from initial examination to successful completion and with no more than three attempts;
3. Physical, mental, and professional capability for the practice of genetic counseling in a manner acceptable to the board; and
4. A history free of any finding by the board, by any other state licensing board, or by any court of competent jurisdiction which would constitute grounds for disciplinary action under this chapter.

A license to practice genetic counseling, including a temporary license, shall expire on December 31st of each year and must be renewed annually on or before January 1st. The application fee and each annual renewal fee is $55.00 payable online via credit card.

The Board may issue a temporary license to an applicant who meets all of the stated qualifications, but has not completed the certification examination, if that person has been accepted to write the certification examination. A person issued a temporary license must take the certification examination within 18 months of the issuance date of the temporary license.  Practice under a temporary license is required to be under the direct supervision of a licensed genetic counselor or physician approved by the Board.  The applicant must provide a statement from the supervisor consenting to such practice. 

UPDATED LAW - As of August 1, 2025: Under North Dakota Century Code section 43-60-02(02):  "Genetic testing may be ordered by a licensed genetic counselor or in coordination with a North Dakota licensed health care provider acting within the provider's scope of practice and privileged to do so.  Nothing in this chapter authorizes a genetic counselor to practice medicine, including treatment or medical management of a patient.  If, in the course of providing genetic counseling to a client, a genetic counselor finds any indication of a disease or condition that requires medical assessment or treatment, the genetic counselor shall refer the client to a provider licensed to practice medicine."  By submitting an application, you agree to practice as outlined in this section, and comply with all requirements of N.D.C.C. chap. 43-60.

Application Instructions

In addition to submitting the online application form, an applicant must furnish the following to the Board:

1. A recent 2"x3" unmounted photo of yourself taken within the last 120 days.
2. Upload your ABGC certification. 
3. List all licenses applied for/obtained from any othere state/province where you have ever applied for any type of genetic counseling license (regardless of whether the license was granted or not granted, is active or inactive, temporary or permanent, restricted or unrestricted). 
4. The Board reserves the right to seek employment verifications directly from current or former employers in line with Board policies and procedures – specifically if certain derogatory information is noted in the application (for example, termination of employment for cause, arrests/convictions, etc.).  If such verification is required, it will be noted on your task list.   If verification is required, the facility will need to fill out and send this employment reference form. This form cannot be completed by a colleague.  It should be completed by the medical staff services office and/or your direct manager/administrator.  The facility must return the completed form directly to the Board office for it to be considered a primary source verification.  
5. You will be required to fill out an Affidavit with your application verifying the information provided is true and accurate. 
6. You will be required to complete a Criminal History Background Check through the following:
   • Complete the Criminal Record Authorization and Fingerprint Verification Forms and submit a money order in the amount of $40.00.
   • Proceed to a local law enforcement office, or other private company who provides fingerprinting services, and complete TWO fingerprint cards.  You should call your local law enforcement office for times and locations if fingerprinting services are available. Please be sure to bring a photo ID. A small fee ($5-$10) may be required by the facility.  The fingerprint technician doing your prints must complete the verification form per the instructions.  Please also make sure your completed fingerprint cards and the fingerprint verification form are placed in a SEALED envelope by the fingerprint technician who took your prints with their signature written across the sealed edge of the envelope.  You should then place the sealed envelope inside another envelope addressed for mailing to the Board.  DO NOT BEND OR FOLD the fingerprint cards when mailing them to us as they will be rejected, and you will be required to be fingerprinted again. Review the following instructions for completing the fingerprint cards.  MOST offices will have fingerprint cards available on sturdy cardstock.  However, you may also download the fingerprint cards to take with you.  Please fill in the highlighted areas.  
   • Send a check or money order in the amount of $40.00 made payable to the Office of Attorney General.
   • Mail the completed criminal history record check request and fingerprint verification forms, two fingerprint cards, and a $40.00 check or money order made payable to the Office of Attorney General, to the Board office at 4204 Boulder Ridge Rd Ste 260, Bismarck, ND  58503. 

Begin your Application  

IMPORTANT – You have the option to Save your application and resume at a later time.  If you do save, you will need to login to the Continued Save Application portal to continue applying.  DO NOT LOG INTO YOUR ACCOUNT through any other portal.  Loggin in through another portal will not access your saved application and will result in redundant applications being submitted – which will delay the administrative process.

Pursuant to North Dakota Century Code section 43-51.1-03(11), an applicant aggrieved by a licensure delay must first try to resolve the matter with the Board.  If the matter cannot be resolved between the applicant and the Board, the applicant may bring the matter to the Governor's Office by emailing governor@nd.gov.