National Position Statement on Regulation of Genetic Counsellors in Canada

In 2025, a national working group was convened to develop a unified position statement on the importance of regulating genetic counsellors in Canada.

The group brought together representatives from the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC), the Canadian Board of Genetic Counselling (CBGC), provincial genetic counselling organizations, as well as experts in legal and medical ethics, medical genetics, and patient advocacy.

The goal of the working group was to establish a nationally informed, peer-reviewed consensus statement outlining the need for professional regulation of genetic counsellors across Canada, with a focus on public protection, quality of care, and accountability.

The CBGC is pleased to share that the National Position Statement on Regulation of Genetic Counsellors in Canada has been published in the Journal of Genetic Counseling.

READ IT HERE !!

This important publication reflects the collaborative efforts of experts and stakeholders across the country and highlights key recommendations to support the advancement of the profession and the protection of patients receiving genetic counselling services.

We encourage genetic counsellors, healthcare professionals, employers, policymakers, patient advocates, and other interested stakeholders to review and share this important work as we continue to advance excellence, accountability, and public trust in the profession of genetic counselling in Canada. Please also consider sharing a letter of support to the offices responsible for regulation in your province. 

Template letters can be found on our website, on the main regulation page.

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In 1994 the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC) established certification standards for Canadian genetic counsellors including a Certification Board and a practice standard called the CAGC Scope of Practice to reflect basic knowledge expectations of genetic counsellors. This standard was revised and updated on a regular basis by the Certification Board. In 2010 the Certification Board began development of Knowledge Based Competencies, to replace the Scope of Practice, which was archived. The Knowledge Based Competencies reflect the continuing evolution of the profession of genetic counselling and the rapidly expanding field of medical genetics.

In 2006, the CAGC committed to developing a Core Competency framework to address the need for uniform practice standards for the profession. The CAGC Core Competencies include both the Practice Based Competencies and Knowledge Based Competencies and will serve as a platform for practice guidelines, training curricula, certification, continuing competency, re-entry to practice and other quality assurance initiatives for genetic counsellors in Canada.

These competencies have been written assuming genetic counsellors will eventually be regulated professionals. In those jurisdictions where regulation occurs, these competencies may assist in the development of standards of practice for genetic counsellors.

Genetic Counselling Globally: where are we now? Ormand et al. 2018 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajmg.c.31607 

The Establishment of Core Competencies for Canadian Genetic Counsellors: Validation of Practice-based competencies. Ferrier et al.  2013 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10897-013-9651-x

NSGC Licensure map https://www.nsgc.org/Policy-Research-and-Publications/State-Licensure-for-Genetic-Counselors/States-Issuing-Licenses