Professional certification is the voluntary process by which a non-governmental agency grants time-limited recognition and use of a credential to individuals who have met predetermined and standardized criteria. Certification by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) indicates that individual practitioners have met the standards necessary to provide competent genetic counseling services.
ABGC Certified Genetic Counselors
ABGC was incorporated in 1992 following the recognition of the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) by the American Board of Medical Specialties after which ABMG could no longer certify individuals without medical degrees. Between 1982 and 1990 ABMG certified 631 genetic counselors. Since its inception, ABGC has certified a total of 1,881 genetic counselors. There have been a total of 2,512 genetic counselors ever certified. ABGC implemented mandatory recertification in 1996 and there are currently 2,448 currently certified genetic counselors.
ABGC, American Board of Genetic Counseling
ABMG, American Board of Medical Genetics
*Note: 631 genetic counselors were certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics from 1982-1990. In 1993, with the establishment of the American Board of Genetic Counseling, 495 of the 631 genetic counselors certified by ABMG chose to become charter members of ABGC.