Support Licensure of Genetic Counselors in New York State

Passing bill A.183 / S.3029 would establish genetic counseling as a licensed profession in New York State. Genetic counselors (GCs) are healthcare providers who complete a specialized master’s degree from a graduate program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) and pass a rigorous national certification exam administered by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). They are experts in genetics, genomics, and counseling, helping patients and families understand complex test results and make informed healthcare decisions. Licensure will help to ensure that qualified and board-certified genetic counselors provide these often complex and critical services. Licensure further protects patients by making sure appropriate and essential genetic testing is requested, reducing the costs associated with unnecessary testing and fraud. Licensure will lead to better recognition by healthcare insurers, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This helps assure adequate reimbursement for essential genetics services and aids in access for historically underserved populations by enabling the hiring of additional genetic counselors.

New York State (NYS) has been at the forefront of genetic counseling education for 55 years but has lagged behind many states in providing licensure for these healthcare professionals. Currently, GCs in most of the surrounding states in the northeast have licensure including New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Thirty-five states currently license genetic counselors and there is one additional state in which a recent bill has been passed. NYS is home to the nation’s oldest and largest genetic counseling program, the Joan H. Marks Human Genetics Program, based at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville. This program has graduated more than 1,000 genetic counselors since 1969. We are also home to master’s of science in genetic counseling programs at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Long Island University Post, the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, the University of Rochester School of Medicine, and the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences. The number of programs in the state is growing with the accreditation of a master’s program at the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine in 2025. Together, the clinical training network for these programs encompasses over 60 facilities in NYS, New Jersey and Connecticut. These training programs rely on a network of experienced local GCs for clinical training and supervision of students. Increasing the number and retention of GCs in New York will ensure the continued success of these vital programs and pave the way for additional training programs to support underserved regions of the state like the North Country.

Genetic counselors touch the lives of thousands of NYS residents through their important work. It is imperative to ensure that those who are providing these services are held to the highest standards.

Ways You Can Support Licensure Efforts:

• Engage your local representative (find them here: https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/)

• Contact the New York State Genetics Task Force Public Policy Committee at publicpolicy@nysgeneticstaskforce.org with any political suggestions/connections

• Raise awareness of genetic counseling in your local institution(s) or community

• Support NSGC’s “Access to Genetic Services Act”

Legislative Sponsors

Linda Rosenthal, New York State Assemblymember
Toby Ann Stavisky, New York State Senator

Attorney Contact

Pamela Madeiros, J.D.