Genetic Scientists

Certification or Licensing

Licensing and/or certification may be necessary, depending on the specialty that is chosen. Molecular geneticists, clinical cytogeneticists, clinical biochemical geneticists, clinical geneticists, medical biochemical geneticists, and molecular genetic pathologists may obtain certification through the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (http://www.abmgg.org) while genetic counselors are certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (http://www.abgc.net). Additionally, clinical geneticists must be licensed to practice medicine, and some states now require genetic counselors to obtain a license. Some genetic laboratories require staff to have specific training and certification in cytogenetic or medical technology, while others hire people with relevant B.S. or M.S. degrees as long as they show an aptitude for the work.