To find a Live Scan​ service provider near you check the California Department of Justice website.

You will need to register for an account through the Genetic Disease Screenin​g Program Portal, select out-of-state applicant, and you will be able to request a finger print card. Once you have submitted your application, we will send you a fingerprint card along with instructions on how to fill the card out correctly. You will then need to go to your local police department to have your fingerprints manually rolled. Once you have had your fingerprints manually rolled, you will need to mail the fingerprint card to us at:

It is necessary to find out why the initial fingerprints were rejected and have the applicant get their fingerprints re-rolled either at the same site (for free) or another site (they will be charged). If the fingerprints are rejected a third time, the Department of Justice will complete a name and Social Security number background check only after three fingerprint sets are submitted and rejected.  

You are responsible for paying the scanning fee (scanning your fingerprints into the system). Your background check fee is included in your application fee. The Agency Billing Number: 156751​

You can call the Department of Justice's automated Voice Response System (IVRS) at (916) 227-4557. You will need to provide your date of birth and the ATI number from the Live Scan form.​

The Genetic Counselor Licen​se is for three years and is renewable.

The Temporary Genetic Counselor License is good for two years, but it is not renewable. The Temporary Genetic Counselor licensee will need to take and pass the American Board of Genetic Counseling exam during their Temporary License period.  Once they pass and become ABGC certified, they can apply for a Full Genetic Counselor License which will be valid for three years.​​​

You can renew your California Genetic Counselors license by completing 45 contact hours of continuing education with at least 30 contact hours of continuing education being from National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) approved Category 1 Continuing Education U​nit (CEU) programs. The remaining contact hours of continuing education may be from either NSGC approved Category 1 or Category 2 CEU programs.

First logon to your existing Genetic Disease Screening Program Portal account; you will need the following information to apply: $100.00 renewal fee, a 2x2 passport photo, your latest ABGC Certificate, copies of your continuing education units CEUs and if you hold licenses in other states, you will need to provide us with verification of "good standing" and no history of disciplinary action of that license.

You will receive an email from us 90 days before your license expires. You are encouraged to submit your application 60 days prior to the expiration of your license.​

No, you can only use CEUs obtained between May 31, 2017–May 31, 2020.  No exceptions,  per State regulations.

During each three year period of licensure, you must complete 45 contact hours of continuing education, with at least 30 contact hours of continuing education being from National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) approved Category 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) programs. The remaining contact hours of continuing education may be from either NSGC approved Category 1 or Category 2 CEU programs.

It is important to note that ten contact hours of continuing education is equivalent to one NSGC CEU. ABGC Professional Activity Credits do not count towards the contact hours of continuing education required for license renewal.​

Yes you do. If you hold licenses in any other state, aside from California, you must obtain verification of "good standing" from each of those states.

No, the Genetic Disease Screening Program does not accept verification of expired licenses.​

Yes, we cannot process your license until we have all out of states licenses verified.

​Yes, you can change your name. Just indicate your maiden name on the application and submit a copy of your marriage license. If you have gotten divorced, we will need a copy of the divorce decree.

The applicant must have graduated from an accredited Master's level genetic ;counseling ;training program and be an Active Candidate for the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) certification exam, or provide a written statement that they plan to apply to take the first available ABGC certification exam, or the certification examination in the year following the year of graduation.  A new graduate can apply for a Temporary Genetic Counselor License, which is good for two years, while they prepare for the ABGC certification exam.

Once you have taken your exam, you must logon to you existing Genetic Disease Screening Program Portal account and upload a copy of your ABGC exam results. You will then be able to apply for a full Genetic Counselor License and ​​pay the $100.00 license application fee. You will receive a new license expiration date which must be renewed every three years.​

The Temporary Genetic Counselor License holder must notify the Genetic Disease Screening Program if they fail their ABGC exam. Their Temporary Genetic Counselor License will be revoked within 30 days, per Health and Safety Code Section 124892.  We will contact your supervisor to inform them that your license is being revoked and you will not be able practice genetic counseling or use the title of Genetic Counselor.  You will be able to re-take the exam in the next cycle, and if you pass, you will be eligible to apply for a full license.

Yes, all Genetic Counselors with a Temporary License must be supervised. If yo​u have not applied and been issued a full license, you will still need to be supervised as long as you hold a Temporary Genetic Counselor License.

Yes,  you can ONLY be supervised by a Medical Doctor or  an ABGC licensed Genetic Coun​selor. ​

All Genetic Counselors who are ABGC certified and whose certification has not lapsed and have not been placed on probation by the ABGC are considered to be "In Good Standing." Genetic counselors can verify if they are "In Good Standing" by contacting the ABGC at info@abgc.net.

Voluntary recertification is available for Ph.D. Medical Geneticists certified by the ABMG prior to 1993.   Beginning in 1993, Ph.D. Medical Geneticists certified or recertified by the ABMG are required to apply for recertification every ten years.

Only individuals holding a current and valid Genetic Counselor License or Temporary Genetic Counselor License issued by the State of California may use the title Genetic Counselor in California (Health and Safety Code, Section 124981). Genetic Counselors licensed to practice in California may also use the titles Licensed Genetic Counselor, Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor or Certified Licensed Genetic Counselor.

You can access a PDF copy of your license certificate at any time from your GCL account homepage.

This service is free of charge.

Yes, you can replace your hard card license at any time for any reason. The fee for this service is $30 with a 7-10 business day processing time. 

You will need to login to your existing CalGenetic Portal account; go to your GCL homepage and select the user request link. 

Please note:  You will need to upload a copy of your marriage license; if you have gotten divorced, we will need a copy of the divorce decree.

This service is free.

You will need to login to your existing CalGenetic Portal account; go to your GCL homepage and select the user request link. Scroll down until you see Update address/phone number.

If you need a verification letter stating that you have a Genetic Counselor license that in good standing with the California Department of Public Health, Genetic Disease Screening Program, you will need to login to your existing CalGenetic Portal account; go to your GCL homepage and click the download License Verification button.

If you are requesting license verifications for a state that requires our state seal and/or their form to be completed by our department, you will need to login to your existing CalGenetic Portal account; go to your GCL homepage, click user request. Select license verification and complete the online request form. You will be required to provide the mailing address/email address for all states that you are requesting a verification letter to be mailed. You will also need to provide us with the necessary required forms in order to complete your request. If these forms need to be completed by you and our department you must complete your portion of the form and upload it to your request form before we are able to begin processing your request.

Please allow 21 business days for processing, mailing and delivery of your request​

You may call to inquire about the status of your license verification request only after the 21-day processing period has expired (21 days after you submitted your request) at (510) 412-6209.

This service is free.