HB 15-1147: Genetic Counselor Licensure Act

• Requires licensure by the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations for anyone practicing genetic counseling in Colorado beginning June 1, 2016.

• Applicants must have certification from the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) or American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG), or hold an equivalent certification; the director may issue provisional licenses to candidates with active candidate status.

• Restricts use of genetic counselor titles and establishes scope of practice including assessment of medical histories, genetic risk determination, testing coordination, and client counseling.

• Requires genetic counselors to maintain professional liability insurance unless the director determines insurance is not reasonably available; genetic counselors are subject to the Medical Transparency Act of 2010 mandatory disclosures.

• Establishes disciplinary procedures including grounds for license revocation, suspension, or denial; the law is set to repeal automatically on September 1, 2020.