(a) No person shall engage in the practice of genetic counseling, act or represent that person to be a genetic counselor, or to use such titles as “genetic counselor,” “licensed genetic counselor,” “gene counselor,” “genetic associate” or any words, letters, abbreviations or insignia indicating or implying that the person is a genetic counselor, unless that person holds a license or temporary license and otherwise complies with this part and the rules and regulations adopted by the board.
Genetic counselor: means a person licensed under this part to engage in the practice of genetic counseling. See Tennessee Code 63-6-802
Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
Practice of genetic counseling: means the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease performed pursuant to a referral. See Tennessee Code 63-6-802
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
Supervision: means the ongoing, direct clinical review for the purposes of training or teaching by an approved supervisor who monitors the performance or a person's supervised interaction with a client and provides regular documented face-to-face consultation, guidance and instructions with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the person supervised. See Tennessee Code 63-6-802
(b) The following persons may engage in the practice of genetic counseling subject to the stated circumstances and limitations without being licensed under this part:
(1) Other qualified and licensed health care professionals who are practicing within their scope of practice. Individuals may not use the title genetic counselor or any other title tending to indicate they are genetic counselors unless licensed as such in this state;(2) Students enrolled in an approved academic program in genetic counseling, if practice constitutes a part of a supervised course of study and the student is designated by a title clearly indicating the student’s status as a student or trainee;(3) An individual trained as a genetic counselor who is reapplying for the ABGC certification examination and gathering logbook cases under supervision in an approved genetic counseling training site;(4) Individuals employed by a state genetics center that provides education regarding single gene conditions, including, but not limited to, sickle cell, cystic fibrosis and hemoglobinopathies. The individual may not use the title genetic counselor or any other title tending to indicate the individual is a genetic counselor unless licensed as such in this state; and(5) Visiting ABGC or ABMG certified genetic counselors from outside the state performing activities and services for a period of thirty (30) days each year. Visiting genetic counselors must be licensed, if licensure is available in their home state.
