If you're starting on the road to getting genetic counseling licenses across the nation, gathering all the info and documents you'll need will make the process move much more smoothly. Some states need very little documentation beyond your application, while others seem to want your whole life story. Have the things on the list below ready, and your future-self will thank you.
Required Documents
Birth Certificate
Driver’s License or State Photo ID
Master’s Degree
ABGC Certification
An updated CV (see below for details)
A recent passport-style photo (see below for details)
Documentation of legal name change (if applicable)
Proof of citizenship or legal residency (if not born in the US)
Other required information
Full employment history since GC school
Full educational history (including colleges you did not graduate from)
The name, address and graduation date of your last attended high school
Contact info for 3 professional references (GCs or MDs)
A supervisor name, phone number and email for each of your previous places of employment
An explanation for any gaps in education or employment (for example, if you have a gap between undergrad and grad school, you'll need to account for your time, even if it was just "trying to get into grad school!")
CV Requirements
Include your full educational and employment history since high school in chronological order, including your current (or upcoming) position.
Include all universities even if you did not graduate. You will need to explain any gaps in your history that are greater than 3 months.
Include the FULL address (street name & number, city, state, zip) of each university and employer.
Include the START and END dates of each item (education and employment) in MM/DD/YYYY format.
Include at least a brief job description for each position.
You do NOT have to include a full publication or professional activity history (unless you want to).
Learn more about CV requirements here.
Passport Photos
If you're using Elsie's AutoGen Application Services, you don't have to have a professional passport photo taken. A photo from your phone against a blank wall will work just fine, but it’s best to have someone else take the photo to avoid the “selfie” look. Make sure the photo you use meets these requirements:
head and shoulders only
on a white or off-white background
taken within the last 6 months
not grainy or pixelated
Upload this to your Elsie profile and we'll get the correct number of photos printed for you. If you're applying on your own, and don't have a way to print these photos on quality photo paper, check out pricing at your local drug store (CVS, Walgreens, etc), Costco or post office.
If you're using Elsie's AutoGen Application Services, you will be prompted to securely upload all this information in your Profile, and we will move along from there!
