Section 3. Routes of access to the register
3.1 Normal route
This is the standard route for all genetic nurses and genetic counsellors educated at Master level in a course approved by the EBMG.
The following programmes have been assessed and graduates of these programs may apply for registration via the normal route. Please note that registration at European level will not supersede local registration systems where those exist. Thus, graduates from United Kingdom programmes that are working in UK must use the National route. Please see section 3.4 (National registration route)
- UK, MSc in Genetic and Genomic Counselling at University of Cardiff (graduates from 2012 valid until october 2026)
- UK, MSc in Genomic Counselling at University of Manchester (graduates from 2012 valid until october 2026)
- UK, MSc in Genetic and Genomic Counselling at University of Glasgow (graduates from 2012 valid until october 2026)
- France, MSc in Genetic Counselling at Université de la Méditérannée - Aix Marseille II, Marseille (graduates from 2012 valid until october 2026)
- Romania, MSc in Genetic Counselling at Babes-Bolyai University (graduates from 2012 valid until october 2017). Students who pass this course and undertake the additional student placement offered by the programme will be eligible to register as genetic counsellor with the EBMG
- Spain, MSc in Genetic Counselling at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona (graduates from 2012 valid until october 2021)
- Spain, MSc in Healthcare Genetics (specialism in Genetic Counselling), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) (graduates from 2021 valid until october 2026)
- Portugal, Professionalizing Master Course in Genetic Counselling at ICBAS, Universidade do Porto (graduates from 2012 valid until october 2017)
- Portugal, MSc in Genetic Counselling at ICBAS, Universidade do Porto (graduates from 2021 valid until october 2026)
- Italy, MSc in Genetic Counselling at Medical University of Sienna (graduates from 2021 valid until october 2026)
- Austria, MSc in Genetic and Genomic Counselling at Medical University of Innsbruck (graduates from 2021 valid until october 2026)
- Sweden, MSc in Genetic Counselling at Linköping University (graduates from 2022 valid until october 2027)
For more information, please see the page Assessment of Eligibility of Masters Programs.
Please see section 3.2 for information about alternative routes to EBMG registration for Genetic Counsellors with an MSc who do not meet the criteria for the normal route.
3.2 Alternative registration routes
Due to the closure of the grandfather clauses the branch has now developed 2 new routes to ensure MSc Genetic Counsellors working in Europe have an opportunity to attain EBMG registration.
Route A :
For applicants who graduated from an MSc Genetic Counselling program prior to 2012 when EBMG was formed.
All existent MSc courses were assessed at that time by the GNGC branch. The list of MSc programs which gained accreditation is listed under section 3.1 Normal route.
Applicants must have 4 years full time (or equivalent period part-time) clinical experience and must submit 2 references, a case log, a 4 year CPD record, psychosocial and ethical case studies.
Route C :
For applicants who have graduated from an MSc Genetic Counselling program not accredited by the EBMG at the time of their graduation.
This route also includes candidates from a non-European MSc program who are working in Europe as a genetic counsellor.
Applicants must have 5 years full time (or equivalent period part-time) clinical experience, of which 1 year must be in Europe and must submit 2 references, a case log, a 5 year CPD record, psychosocial and ethical case studies, patient letter and must take the genetic science exam.
Not EBMG registration eligibility:
Candidates with an EBMG accredited MSc in Genetic Counselling with their entire clinical experience taken place outside Europe, are not eligible for EBMG registration as genetic counsellors.
Late Renewals/Lapsed registration
• Maximum period lapsed for this route is 5years.
• 2 references to confirm working in GC role plus 5 years (150 hours) of CPD but can be over any 5 years and flexibility in allocating hours across the period total must be 150h. At least 30 hours must be from the year prior to renewal
• Additional 1500 word reflective essay called ‘The evolution of the genetic counselling profession and the impact on my personal practice’
• Over 5 years lapsed registration period, the candidate will be asked to submit a new portfolio
3.3 Eligibility under the Grandfather clause
Until October 2020, Grandfather clauses A, B and C were available to a number of experienced health professionals who did not have an EBMG-accredited MSc who were currently working as genetic counsellors or nurses. These Grandfather clauses are now closed to new applicants.
Alternative registration routes are available for applicants who graduated from an MSc Genetic Counselling program prior to 2012 when EBMG was formed (Route A) or for applicants who have graduated from an MSc Genetic Counselling program not accredited by the EBMG at the time of their graduation (Route C). Detailed information on the alternative routes can be found under section 3.4.
3.4 National registration route
Where a rigorous national system of registration exists, practitioners who are already registered and working in Europe for the prescribed period may apply for entry onto the European register system without the need for additional assessment. They will need to submit two references and the evidence of their national registration. In line with other reciprocity agreements, starting from 2022, national route applicants need to also submit 2 years of reflective CPD.
There are a number of national registration systems that have been assessed and approved by the EBMG. Applicants who have already successfully registered with one of the EBMG approved systems may apply for EBMG registration using their national registration.
Applicants with a national registration must have been working in a genetic counselling clinical role for a minimum of two years (full time work or equivalent period part-time) before they can apply for European registration. At least one year of this experience must have taken place in Europe.
Applicants with a national registration currently working in a non-clinical role, require a minimum of two years full time (or equivalent period part-time) experience in a clinical role and in addition, a minimum of one year full time (or equivalent period part-time) in a non-clinical role (teaching, patient advocacy or resaerch activities) taken place in Europe.
In all cases National registration should be active at the time of intention to register.
In some cases, additional evidence of competence may be required by the European Board. Conversely, national boards may require additional evidence when registering an applicant who already has European registration. Registration at European level will not supersede local registration systems where those exist.
The systems of national registration that are currently approved by the EBMG are:
- UK - Genetic Counsellor Registration Board,
- USA – American Board of Genetic Counselors,
- Australia – Board of Censors for Genetic Counselling,
- South Africa – Genetic Counselling South Africa,
- Canada – Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors,
Reciprocity with each national system will be reviewed every 5 years.
Last updated: 14 March 2023
