The rise of telehealth has made it possible to provide genetic counseling services from just about anywhere. However, those providing counseling to clients across a border need to be extra careful about the licensure laws that apply to them. For GC in Canada and other countries outside the US, this can become complicated very quickly, especially if the applicant doesn't have a US social security number or lawful presence in the US.
We asked the different boards across the US what their policy is on international GCs applying to their state from outside the US. All states, except Florida, require ABGC Certification to apply (Florida accepts CAGC as well). Here some notes on their other requirements (we'll continue to fill in the blanks as more states respond):
State | Requirements |
|---|---|
Alabama | Must have qualified alien status |
Arkansas | If the applicant does not have a Social Security Number to provide on the application, a replacement number will be assigned in our system until they are able to obtain one. The Medical Practices Act does not reference the work visa requirement, however it is important that the applicant follow any laws and government directives regarding that need while working in this state. |
California | OK to apply without visa or SSN |
Connecticut | Residency not required. (US SSN may be required.) |
Delaware | Residency not required. (US SSN may be required.) |
Florida | Must have a US SSN |
Georgia | Must be a United States citizen, a legal permanent resident of the United States, or that he/she is a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act. (Exceptions for those who are not physically present in US have been granted in the past, but we have been informed that they are no longer doing so.) |
Idaho | Residency not required. (US SSN may be required.) |
Illinois | Residency not required. (US SSN may be required.) |
Indiana | This agency is requesting disclosure of your Social Security Number in accordance with IC 4-1-8-1; disclosure is mandatory and this record cannot be processed without it. |
Iowa | Lawful presence not required. |
Kentucky | OK to apply without SSN. When completing the application, they will need to enter 123-00-0000 as their social or something similar until it accepts it. |
Louisiana | Residency not required. (US SSN may be required.) |
Maryland | |
Massachusetts | Residency not required. (US SSN may be required.) |
Michigan | OK to apply without SSN or visa, but must submit form stating they don't have an SSN. Background check can only be paid for with a US credit card. |
Minnesota | OK to apply without SSN or visa, but must have an SSN by their first renewal |
Montana | OK to apply without SSN or visa, must fill out additional attestation form |
Nebraska | A valid SSN is required for licensure in Nebraska even if you are not physically present in the United States. |
New Hampshire | Must have SSN |
New Jersey | Residency not required. (US SSN may be required.) |
New Mexico | Residency not required. (US SSN may be required.) |
North Dakota | Must have SSN |
Ohio | The person can apply for a license in Ohio without a social security number, however not having a visa is an issue that should be discussed with immigration |
Oklahoma | Must have lawful presence in US |
Oregon | OK to apply without SSN. Must fill out exemption at the bottom of page 2 of the application |
Pennsylvania | Must have lawful presence in US |
Rhode Island | US SSN needed, but residency not required. |
South Carolina | US SSN card required and must have lawful presence in US |
South Dakota | |
Tennessee | Must have lawful presence in US |
Utah | Utah requires both a US SSN and a work visa or other documentation that show they are legally allowed to work in the United States. Applications without a SSN, work visa or both will be denied. |
Virginia | Full licensure requires an SSN. Department of Health Professions may issue a temporary license or authorization to practice, effective for not longer than 90 days, to another wise qualified applicant for a license, certificate or registration who is a foreign national and cannot provide a social security number or control number at the time of application. |
Washington | OK without SSN or visa. Must attest on the application that an SSN has never been issued. |
Wisconsin | Must have lawful presence in the US. |
Note: These are subject to change without notice. Please check with the state board you are interested in to inquire about your specific situation before applying.
