Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 360 - RULES OF GEORGIA COMPOSITE MEDICAL BOARD
Chapter 360-39 - GENETIC COUNSELORS
Rule 360-39-.04 - Renewal Requirements

(1) All licenses shall expire biennially unless renewed. Genetic Counselors who are applying for their first renewal in Georgia shall be exempt from the continuing education requirement.

(2) Each licensee shall notify the Board within thirty (30) days, in writing, of all changes of address. Any mailing or notice from the Board shall be considered to be served on the licensee when sent to the licensee's last address on file with the Board.

(3) All active licenses must be renewed every two years. This may be done via the internet or through mail. A licensee may not practice after the expiration date of the license. A license must be renewed biennially by the last day of the month in which the applicant's birthday falls, and the licensee must establish satisfaction of Board-approved continuing education requirements to be eligible for renewal.

(4) Licensees have the right to obtain a late renewal of their licenses during the three (3) month period immediately following the expiration date. During this period, the penalty for late renewal applies. A licensee may not practice after the expiration date of his or her license.

(5) The Board shall administratively revoke any license not renewed prior to the expiration of the late renewal period. In order to obtain a license after revocation for failure to renew, an applicant must reapply for reinstatement/restoration and meet the requirements in effect at the time of the application.

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (4) of this rule, any service member as defined in O.C.G.A. § 43-1-31whose license to practice as a genetic counselor expired while on active duty outside the state shall be permitted to practice in accordance with the expired license and shall not be charged with a violation relating to such practice on an expired license for a period of six (6) months from the date of his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a location within the state. Such service member shall be entitled to renew such expired license without penalty within six (6) months after the date of his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a location within this state. The service member must present to the Board a copy of the official military orders or a written verification signed by the service member's commanding officer to waive any charges.

(7) The fee for renewals and late renewals shall be designated in the fee schedule.

(8) A person who has permitted his or her license to expire or who has had his or her license on inactive status may have his or her license restored by:

(9) In the event of licensure expiration or inactivity in excess of two (2) years or if derogatory information or communication is received during the reactivation process, the applicant should be prepared to appear before the Board and Committee, for an interview regarding continued competence to ensure the public is protected. If competence is not demonstrated to the Board's satisfaction, additional continuing education and/or supervision may be required for a period of time at the Board's discretion.

(10) If licensure expiration was in excess of five (5) years, in addition to the above, the applicant would be required to successfully complete up to 250 hours of continuing education.

(11) All applicants must provide an affidavit and a secure and verifiable document in accordance with O.C.G.A. 50-36-1(f). If the applicant has previously provided a secure and verifiable document and affidavit of United States citizenship, no additional documentation of citizenship is required for renewal. If the applicant for renewal is not a United States citizen, he/she must submit documentation that will determine his/her qualified alien status. The Board participates in the DHS-USCIS SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements or "SAVE") program for purpose of verifying citizenship and immigration status information of non-U.S. citizens. If the applicant for renewal is a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act, he/she must provide the alien number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal agency.