(1) Application fee                                                                                        $500 

(2) Renewal fee                                                                                              250

(3) Temporary license                                                                                      50

(4) Additional standardized fees are specified in ARM 24.101.403.

(5) All fees are nonrefundable. 

(1) The department will not pre-approve continuing education (CE) programs or sponsors. 

(2) Licensees are responsible for selecting quality programs that focus on protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public and contribute to genetic counselors' professional knowledge and competence. Acceptable CE activities:

(a) directly relate to the scope of practice of genetic counseling as defined in 37-49-202, MCA;

(b) review existing concepts and techniques;

(c) convey information beyond the basic professional education;

(d) update knowledge on the practice and advances in genetic counseling;

(e) reinforce professional conduct or ethical obligations of the licensee; and/or

(f) are conducted by an individual or group qualified by practical or academic experience.

(3) Licensees must obtain 24 hours (60 minutes per hour) of CE annually, prior to renewal.

(4) Licensees shall affirm an understanding of their recurring duty to comply with CE requirements as part of license renewal.

(5) Continuing education requirements will not apply until after the licensee's first renewal.

(6) The department may randomly audit up to 50 percent of renewed licensees.

(7) Licensees must maintain documentation of completed CE for three years and provide documentation to the department upon request.

(8) Licensees found to be in noncompliance with CE requirements may be subject to administrative suspension.

(9) Licensees may request exemption from CE requirements due to hardship. Requests will be considered by the department.

(1) In addition to the conduct specified in 37-1-410, MCA, the department defines unprofessional conduct for genetic counselors as follows: 

(a) violation of any state or federal statute or rule regulating the practice of genetic counseling; 

(b) incompetence, negligence, or use of any procedure in the practice of genetic counseling which creates an unreasonable risk of physical or mental harm or serious financial loss to the client;

(c) failing to report the unsafe or unlicensed practice of genetic counseling to the department;

(d) practice beyond the scope of practice of the license per 37-49-202, MCA;

(e) failing to cooperate with an investigation by or request for information from the department;

(f) failing to adequately supervise auxiliary staff; and

(g) practicing genetic counseling while the license is inactive, expired, suspended, or revoked.