Renewal of Registration

Aim

The aim of registration renewal process of the EBMG registration system is to enable registered practitioners to demonstrate that they have maintained the required competences to practice professionally and to serve the needs of patients who use genetic services in Europe.  Registered genetic nurses and counsellors are invited to renew registration on the spring of the year following the term of their 5-year register.

Process and documents:

Renewal is a one-step process through the submission of the following evidence:

1.  Renewal Form K ; 
2. A record of continuing professional development (CPD) Form M  over the five years 
3. A minimum of two references to confirm that the registrant is still working in a role directly relevant to the profession and works within the Code of Professional Practice:
   a.  Reference from the line manager (Form L1)
   b. Reference from a senior colleague (Form L2)
   c.  An additional reference from a senior colleague is necessary when the line manager does not work in the same department as the applicant (Form L3)

The documentation should be submitted by email to gc.renew.ebmg(at)gmail.com

Timeline

Applications for the renewals will be accepted between the 15th April and the 15th May 2024.  Genetic counsellors with registrations expiring in the current calendar year are expected to submit the documentation.  Assessment of competence and suitability to remain on the EBMG register is made by the EBMG Genetic Nurse and Counsellor Professional Branch and candidates will be notified of their renewal outcome by July of that year.

Fees

The fee for renewal of registration for five more years is EUR 150 (this equivalent to EUR 30 per year registered). At Renewal submission the candidate will be notified about payment options (debit/credit card or bank transfer) by the EBMG office.

Definition of Genetic counselling activity

In the initial registration process, candidates must demonstrate competence in a clinical role through a case log.  Please note that for registration renewal it is not expected or required that the genetic counsellor or nurse has maintained a clinical role.  Established registered professionals may be working in an academic institution, in a research capacity or in a private company, as well as more traditional clinical genetic counselling roles.  Besides clinical genetic counselling work, other genetic counselling activities suitable to be considered within a genetic counsellor’s role include: health education activities; patient advocacy; management or education of genetics professionals; research; or other relevant roles within the expanding scope of genetic counselling profession.

Continuing professional development (CPD)

All registrants must submit the reflective Continuing Professional Development Record (Form M) showing their Continuing Professional Development activities undertaken in the previous five years. The record of Continuing Professional Development should indicate how the applicant has maintained their learning through at least 30 hours of continuing education per year, every year since registration, irrespective of the hours worked. Of these hours, at least 15 hours per year must be taken via sources external to the department (such as conferences or educational courses). The remaining hours may include: private study of journal articles (maximum up to 5 hours per year), journal clubs, departmental seminars and preparation for teaching. Please see the CPD Renewal Form M for more information.

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

Statutory Leave

Statutory Leave (e.g. Maternity/Long Term Sickness/Sabbatical/Career Break): If a registrant has been away from the workplace for a statutory reason the EBMG appreciates that it might not be possible to acquire 30 hours of CPD in each year.  The total number of CPD hours (150 hours over 5 years) is still required to ensure the registrant is maintaining their current knowledge, but the registrant can redistribute the 150 CPD hours required over the 5-year period. Please complete the necessary information on Form M if you are re-distributing CPD hours over the 5 year period.

Last updated: 12 February 2024