DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS  
DIRECTOR’S OFFICE  
GENETIC COUNSELING – GENERAL RULES  
Filed with the secretary of state on April 15, 2021  
These rules take effect immediately upon filing with the secretary of state unless adopted  
under section 33, 44, or 45a(6) of the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA  
306, MCL 24.233, 24.244, or 24.245a. Rules adopted under these sections become  
effective 7 days after filing with the secretary of state.  
(By authority conferred on the director of the department of licensing and regulatory  
affairs by sections 16145, 16148, 16174, 16204, 16287, 17091, 17092, and 17096 of the  
public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16145, 333.16148, 333.16174, 333.16204,  
333.16287, 333.17091, 333.17092, and 333.17096, and Executive Reorganization Order  
Nos. 1991-9, 1996-2, 2003-1, and 2011-4, MCL 338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011, and  
445.2030)  
R 338.2451, R 338.2455, R 338.2457, R 338.2461, R 338.2463, R 338.2465, R 338.2471,  
R 338.2473, and R 338.2481 are added to the Michigan Administrative Code, as follows:  
PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS  
R 338.2451 Definitions.  
Rule 151. (1) As used in these rules:  
(a) “ABGC” means the American Board of Genetic Counseling, Inc., or its successor.  
(b) “ABMGG” means the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics or its  
successor.  
(c) “Board” means the Michigan board of medicine created under section 17021 of the  
code, MCL 333.17021.  
(d) "Code" means the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211.  
(e) “Department” means the department of licensing and regulatory affairs.  
(2) A term defined in the code has the same meaning when used in these rules.  
R 338.2455 Telehealth.  
Rule 155. (1) Consent for treatment must be obtained before providing a telehealth  
service under section 16284 of the code, MCL 333.16284.  
(2) Proof of consent must be maintained in the patient’s up-to-date medical record and  
retained in compliance with section 16213 of the code, MCL 333.16213.  
November 18, 2020  
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(3) A licensee providing a telehealth service may prescribe a drug if the licensee is a  
prescriber acting within the scope of his or her practice and in compliance with section  
16285 of the code, MCL 333.16285, and if he or she does both of the following:  
(a) If medically necessary, refers the patient to a provider that is geographically  
accessible to the patient.  
(b) Makes himself or herself available to provide follow-up care services to the  
patient, or to refer the patient to another provider, for follow-up care.  
(4) A licensee providing any telehealth service shall do both of the following:  
(a) Act within the scope of his or her practice.  
(b) Exercise the same standard of care applicable to a traditional, in-person health care  
service.  
R 338.2457 Training standards for identifying victims of human trafficking;  
requirements.  
Rule 157. (1) Under section 16148 of the code, MCL 333.16148, an individual  
seeking licensure or registration or who is licensed or registered shall complete training  
in identifying victims of human trafficking that satisfies all of the following standards:  
(a) Training content must cover all of the following:  
(i) Understanding the types and venues of human trafficking in the United States.  
(ii) Identifying victims of human trafficking in health care settings.  
(iii) Identifying the warning signs of human trafficking in health care settings for  
adults and minors.  
(iv) Resources for reporting the suspected victims of human trafficking.  
(b) Acceptable providers or methods of training include any of the following:  
(i) Training offered by a nationally recognized or state-recognized health-related  
organization.  
(ii) Training offered by, or in conjunction with, a state or federal agency.  
(iii) Training obtained in an educational program that has been approved by the  
board for initial licensure or registration, or by a college or university.  
(iv) Reading an article related to the identification of victims of human trafficking  
that satisfies the requirements of subdivision (a) of this subrule and is published in a peer  
review journal, health care journal, or professional or scientific journal.  
(c) Acceptable modalities of training include any of the following:  
(i) Teleconference or webinar.  
(ii) Online presentation.  
(iii) Live presentation.  
(iv) Printed or electronic media.  
(2) The department may select and audit a sample of individuals and request  
documentation of proof of completion of training. If audited by the department, an  
individual shall provide an acceptable proof of completion of training, including either of  
the following:  
(a) Proof of completion certificate issued by the training provider that includes the  
date, provider name, name of training, and individual’s name.  
(b) A self-certification statement by an individual. The certification statement must  
include the individual’s name and either of the following:  
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(i) For training completed under subrule (1)(b)(i) to (iii) of this rule, the date,  
training provider name, and name of training.  
(ii) For training completed under subrule (1)(b)(iv) of this rule, the title of article,  
author, publication name of peer review journal, health care journal, or professional or  
scientific journal, and date, volume, and issue of publication, as applicable.  
(3) Under section 16148 of the code, MCL 333.16148, the requirements specified  
in subrule (1) of this rule apply for license or registration renewals beginning with  
the first renewal cycle after the promulgation of this rule and for initial licenses or  
registrations issued 5 or more years after the promulgation of this rule.  
PART 2. LICENSURE  
R 338.2461 Application for license; qualifications.  
Rule 161. (1) In addition to satisfying the requirements of the code, an applicant for a  
genetic counselor license shall satisfy all of the following requirements:  
(a) Submit a completed application on a form provided by the department.  
(b) Pay the required fee to the department.  
(c) Provide proof directly to the department of current certification in good standing  
with the ABGC or the ABMGG.  
(2) In addition to satisfying the requirements of the code, an applicant for a temporary-  
licensed genetic counselor license shall satisfy all of the following requirements:  
(a) Submit a completed application on a form provided by the department.  
(b) Pay the required fee to the department.  
(c) Provide proof directly to the department of active candidate status with the ABGC  
or the ABMGG.  
(d) Provide proof acceptable to the department that he or she will be supervised by a  
qualified supervisor in this state.  
(3) An applicant shall have his or her license, certification, or registration verified by  
the licensing agency of any state of the United States in which the applicant holds a  
current license, certification, or registration or has ever held a license, certification, or  
registration as a genetic counselor or temporary-licensed genetic counselor. If applicable,  
verification must include the record of any disciplinary action taken or pending against  
the applicant.  
R 338.2463 Relicensure.  
Rule 163. (1) An applicant whose license has lapsed for less than 3 years preceding the  
date of application for relicensure may be relicensed under section 16201(3) of the code,  
MCL 333.16201, if the applicant satisfies all of the following requirements:  
(a) Submits a completed application on a form provided by the department.  
(b) Pays the required fee to the department.  
(c) Provides proof of 1 of the following directly to the department, as applicable:  
(i) If applying for relicensure as a genetic counselor, current certification in good  
standing with the ABGC or the ABMGG.  
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(ii) If applying for relicensure as a temporary-licensed genetic counselor, active  
candidate status with the ABGC or the ABMGG.  
(d) Establishes that he or she is of good moral character as defined under 1974 PA  
381, MCL 338.41 to 338.47.  
(e) If applying for relicensure as a temporary-licensed genetic counselor, provides  
proof acceptable to the department that he or she will be supervised by a qualified  
supervisor in this state.  
(2) An applicant whose license has lapsed for 3 years or more preceding the date of  
application for relicensure may be relicensed under section 16201(4) of the code, MCL  
333.16201(4), if the applicant satisfies all of the following requirements:  
(a) Submits a completed application on a form provided by the department.  
(b) Pays the required fee to the department.  
(c) Provides proof of 1 of the following directly to the department, as applicable:  
(i) If applying for relicensure as a genetic counselor, current certification in good  
standing with the ABGC or the ABMGG.  
(ii) If applying for relicensure as a temporary-licensed genetic counselor, active  
candidate status with the ABGC or the ABMGG.  
(d) Establishes that he or she is of good moral character as defined under 1974 PA  
381, MCL 338.41 to 338.47.  
(e) Submits fingerprints as required under section 16174(3) of the code, MCL  
333.16174.  
(f) If applying for relicensure as a temporary-licensed genetic counselor, provides  
proof acceptable to the department that he or she will be supervised by a qualified  
supervisor in this state.  
(3) An applicant shall have his or her license, certification, or registration verified by  
the licensing agency of any state of the United States in which the applicant holds a  
current license, certification, or registration or has ever held a license, certification, or  
registration as a genetic counselor or temporary-licensed genetic counselor. If applicable,  
verification must include the record of any disciplinary action taken or pending against  
the applicant.  
R 338.2465 Application for renewal of license; qualifications.  
Rule 165. (1) An applicant for renewal of a genetic counselor license shall satisfy all of  
the following requirements:  
(a) Submit a completed application on a form provided by the department.  
(b) Pay the required fee to the department.  
(c) Provide proof directly to the department of current certification in good standing  
with the ABGC or the ABMGG.  
(d) Satisfy the requirements under R 338.2471, as applicable.  
(2) An applicant for renewal of a temporary-licensed genetic counselor license shall  
satisfy all of the following requirements:  
(a) Submit a completed application on a form provided by the department.  
(b) Pay the required fee to the department.  
(c) Provide proof directly to the department of active candidate status with the ABGC  
or the ABMGG.  
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(d) Provide proof acceptable to the department that he or she will be supervised by a  
qualified supervisor in this state.  
(3) An applicant shall have his or her license, certification, or registration verified by  
the licensing agency of any state of the United States in which the applicant holds a  
current license, certification, or registration or has ever held a license, certification, or  
registration as a genetic counselor or temporary-licensed genetic counselor. If applicable,  
verification must include the record of any disciplinary action taken or pending against  
the applicant.  
(4) A temporary-licensed genetic counselor license may be renewed not more than 5  
years.  
PART 3. CONTINUING EDUCATION  
R 338.2471 License renewals.  
Rule 171. (1) This part applies to an application for renewal of a genetic counselor  
license under R 338.2465 and sections 16201 and 17091 of the code, MCL 333.16201  
and MCL 333.17091.  
(2) An applicant for license renewal who has been licensed in the 3-year period  
immediately preceding the application for renewal shall accumulate a minimum of 75  
contact hours of continuing education in activities approved by the board under R  
338.2473 during the 3 years immediately preceding the application for renewal.  
(3) Submission of an application for renewal constitutes the applicant’s certification of  
compliance with the requirements of this rule. The licensee shall retain documentation of  
satisfying the requirements of this rule for 4 years from the date of applying for license  
renewal. Failure to satisfy this rule is a violation of section 16221(h) of the code, MCL  
333.16221.  
(4) The department may select and audit a sample of licensees who have renewed their  
license and request proof of compliance with subrule (2) of this rule. If audited, a  
licensee shall submit documentation as specified in R 338.2473.  
R 338.2473 Acceptable continuing education; requirements; limitations.  
Rule 173. (1) The 75 contact hours of continuing education required under R 338.2471  
must satisfy the following requirements, as applicable:  
(a) Credit for a continuing education program or activity that is identical or  
substantially identical to a program or activity for which the licensee has already earned  
credit during the renewal period cannot be granted.  
(b) A minimum of 1 contact hour of continuing education must be earned in the area  
of medical ethics.  
(c) A minimum of 1 contact hour of continuing education must be earned in the area  
of pain and symptom management under section 16204 of the code, MCL 333.16204.  
Continuing education contact hours in pain and symptom management may include, but  
are not limited to, any of the following areas:  
(i) Public health burden of pain.  
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(ii) Ethics and health policy related to pain.  
(iii) Michigan pain and controlled substance laws.  
(iv) Pain definitions.  
(v) Basic sciences related to pain including pharmacology.  
(vi) Clinical sciences related to pain.  
(vii) Specific pain conditions.  
(viii) Clinical physician communication related to pain.  
(ix) Management of pain, including evaluation and treatment and non-  
pharmacological and pharmacological management.  
(x) Ensuring quality pain care.  
(xi) Michigan programs and resources relevant to pain.  
(2) The board considers any of the following activities as acceptable continuing  
education:  
Activity and Proof of Completion  
Number of Continuing  
Education Contact Hours  
Granted/Permitted for the  
Activity  
(a) Attendance at or participation in a continuing  
education program or activity related to the practice  
The number of continuing  
education contact hours  
of genetic counseling that includes, but is not limited credit for a specific  
to, live in-person programs, interactive or monitored program or activity is the  
teleconference, audio-conference, or web-based  
number of contact hours  
programs, online programs, and journal articles with approved by the sponsor or  
a self-study component or other self-study programs the approving organization  
approved or offered by any of the following  
organizations:  
for the specific program.  
A minimum of 45 hours of  
continuing education must  
be earned in this activity in  
each renewal period.  
Accreditation Council for Continuing  
Medical Education.  
American College of Medical Genetics and  
Genomics.  
American College of Obstetricians and  
Gynecologists.  
American Medical Association.  
American Nurses Credentialing Center’s  
Commission on Accreditation.  
American Osteopathic Association.  
American Society for Reproductive Medicine.  
Michigan Association of Genetic Counselors.  
Michigan Osteopathic Association.  
Michigan State Medical Society.  
National Society of Genetic Counselors.  
Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine.  
A maximum of 75 contact  
hours of continuing  
education credit may be  
earned for this activity in  
each renewal period.  
If audited, the licensee shall submit a copy of the  
letter or certificate of completion showing the  
licensee’s name, number of continuing education  
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contact hours earned, sponsor name or the name of  
the organization that approved the program or  
activity for continuing education credit, and the date  
on which the program was held or the activity  
completed.  
(b) Serving as a clinical supervisor for a student at a site Five contact hours of  
used by an ACGC accredited program.  
continuing education credit  
is granted for a minimum  
To receive credit, the clinical supervision must not be of 25 hours of direct  
the licensee’s primary employment function.  
clinical supervision.  
If audited, the licensee shall submit the student’s  
initials, training program, dates supervision began  
and ended, and number of supervision hours  
provided per week.  
A maximum of 30 contact  
hours of continuing  
education credit may be  
earned for this activity in  
each renewal period.  
Ten contact hours of  
continuing education credit  
is granted for serving as  
the first, second, or senior  
author.  
(c) Publication of an article or chapter in a peer-  
reviewed journal or book related to practice-based  
competency.  
If audited, the licensee shall submit a copy of the  
publication that identifies the licensee as the author.  
Five contact hours of  
continuing education credit  
is granted for serving as  
any other author that is not  
first, second, or senior  
author.  
A maximum of 10 contact  
hours of continuing  
education credit may be  
earned per article or  
chapter.  
A maximum of 30 contact  
hours of continuing  
education credit may be  
earned for this activity in  
each renewal period.  
Five contact hours of  
continuing education credit  
is granted for 25 hours of  
service for each  
(d) Service in a leadership position role as a board  
member, chair, or leader of a genetics-related  
organization.  
If audited, the licensee shall submit the organization  
name, contact information, dates of service, dated  
organization.  
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agenda, and meeting minutes documenting at least 25 A maximum of 30 contact  
hours of service.  
hours of continuing  
education credit may be  
earned for this activity in  
each renewal period.  
(e) Serving as an instructor for a graduate-level course in Five contact hours of  
an area related to genetics competency.  
continuing education credit  
is granted for a minimum  
of 5 hours of teaching.  
To receive credit, the instructorship must not be the  
licensee’s primary employment function.  
A maximum of 10 contact  
If audited, the licensee shall provide document titles, hours of continuing  
course description, faculty list of each course, dates  
of all courses, scheduled instructional hours, and a  
letter from the program director verifying the  
licensee’s role.  
education credit may be  
earned for each course.  
A maximum of 30 contact  
hours of continuing  
education credit may be  
earned for this activity in  
each renewal period.  
Two contact hours of  
continuing education credit  
is granted for each  
(f) Serving as a peer reviewer of a manuscript by  
invitation for a scientific journal.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit copies of  
manuscript reviewed.  
documentation inviting the license to complete the  
review and thanking them for completing the review. A maximum of 30 contact  
hours of continuing  
education credit may be  
earned for this activity in  
each renewal period.  
PART 4. STANDARDS OF PRACTICE  
R 338.2481 Certification; active candidate status; requirement.  
Rule 171. (1) A genetic counselor licensee shall maintain certification with the ABGC  
or the ABMGG.  
(2) A temporary-licensed genetic counselor license automatically expires upon issuance  
of a genetic counselor license or upon loss of active candidate status with the ABGC or  
the ABMGG.  
;