RENO, NV – The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners (Board), the agency charged with regulating various medical professionals, has added genetic counselors to its list of licensed professions. The Nevada Legislature approved the new health care licensing category beginning Jan. 1, 2026, during the 2025 legislative session.
Genetic counselors use their advanced training in medical genetics and counseling to gauge genetic test results and use family and personal medical histories to help patients better understand risks for cancer or other diseases. Genetic counselors often work alongside oncologists, obstetricians, medical geneticists, as well as many other medical professionals.
Under state Senate Bill 189, which codified this category, genetic counselors will follow the same doctor-patient confidentiality rules as doctors. People who have worked as genetic counselors in Nevada will now have six months to get licensed; practicing unlicensed will become a felony.
The National Society of Genetic Counselors counted 33 states issuing genetic counseling licenses as of Dec. 31. Nevada’s medical board said it expects a flurry of applications but can’t forecast how many.
“Several individuals reached out to the Board before the 2025 legislative session expressing a desire that genetic counselors become the Board’s newest licensure category,” board Deputy Executive Director Sarah Bradley said, explaining that the board supported taking on this new licensure category. “We’re very excited to begin issuing this new type of license in 2026.”
Applicants for the new license will need credentials from a National Society of Genetic Counselors–approved master’s degree program; have completed approved continuing education; and land certification from the American Board of Genetic Counseling and the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling.
Bradley said Nevada plans to start a genetic counseling advisory council and help improve licensing as health care industry knowledge and technology evolve.
For more information, please visit www.medboard.nv.gov. ABOUT THE NEVADA STATE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS
The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners serves the State of Nevada by ensuring that only well-qualified, competent physicians, physician assistants, genetic counselors, respiratory therapists, perfusionists and anesthesiologist assistants are licensed to practice in Nevada.
The Board responds expediently to complaints by conducting fair and thorough investigations that result in appropriate action. In all Board activities, the Board places the interests of the public before the interests of the medical profession, and encourages public input and involvement, as we work to improve the quality of medical practice in Nevada. For more information, please visit Medical Examiners Board (nv.gov).
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