ABGC recertification shows a commitment to lifelong learning and helps ensure that knowledge and skills are maintained in a rapidly evolving field. Recertification is becoming more significant for licensing, professional advancement and employment opportunities.
In order to be eligible for recertification, Diplomates are responsible for:
- Applying for recertification within the allotted timeframe
- Updating their contact information within the ABGC Portal
- Keeping current with ABGC news, information, policies, rules and regulations
ABGC Diplomates are required to recertify every five years. Diplomates will receive a new certificate with the effective date from January 1 of the year following current certification expiration. For example, a Diplomate with a time-limited certification expiring December 31, 2024, who has met all of the recertification requirements in 2024, will receive a new certificate effective January 1, 2025 and expiring five years later on December 31, 2030.
Recertification Rates
| Recertification Year |
Applications Approved |
Recertification Rate |
| 2022 |
1169 |
97% |
| 2023 |
502 |
99% |
| 2024 |
1093 |
96.6% |
Recertification by Continuing Education Units
ABGC views continuing education as essential to maintaining and increasing a genetic counselor’s knowledge and skills. For board-certified genetic counselors choosing to recertify by earning continuing education units (CEUs), the associated educational programs must meet a minimum set of standards to ensure that they reflect the profession’s current needs and promote high-quality genetic counseling services.
Continuing education in genetic counseling is an ongoing process consisting of formal learning activities that:
- Are relevant to genetic counseling practice, education and science;
- Enable genetic counselors to keep pace with the most current scientific evidence regarding clinical practice and education as well as important legal, professional or regulatory issues; and
- Allow genetic counselors to maintain, develop and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.
Diplomates recertifying through continuing education must collect 12.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within their certification period.
To determine when your current certification cycle begins and ends, and to record and track your CEUs/PACs, please log in to the online recertification application in the ABGC Portal.
Professional Activity Credits (PACS)
As part of evaluating the continuing education activities used for recertification, the ABGC Board of Directors issued Standards and Guidelines for CEUs and CEU providers. As a continuation of this activity, the Board reviewed the approved Professional Activity Credits (PACs) to ensure that what is accepted by ABGC falls within these guidelines.
For more information on the PACs that will continue to be accepted for recertification, please see the Approved PAC Table.
Continuing Competence Learning Scenarios
In addition to the existing process for recertifying through CEUs or reexamination, effective Jan. 1, 2026, all genetic counselors will be required to complete five reflective learning scenarios each year, earning 0.5 CEUs (0.1 CEU per scenario). ABGC is offering the opportunity to complete two of the new learning scenarios in 2025, with the official launch and requirement for recertification effective as of Jan. 1, 2026.
Learn More
Recertification by Examination
A Diplomate seeking voluntary recertification may sit for the ABGC Certification Examination at any time during the recertification period. The examination must be passed to achieve recertification. If a Diplomate chooses to recertify by examination, they should follow the application guidelines and eligibility requirements included in the Recertification Handbook.