A Master's-trained healthcare professional
specializing in medical genetics.
Major medical societies across oncology, cardiology, reproductive medicine, and neurology recommend genetic counseling as standard of care. Most people don't know until they need one.
When is genetic counseling helpful?
You have concerns about your personal or family health history
Something seems to run in your family. You want to understand your own risk and whether genetic testing would be helpful.
You're considering genetic testing
A genetic counselor can help you choose the right test for your situation, understand what testing can and can't tell you, and discuss what the results would mean for your medical care and your family.
You have a genetic test result
You have a genetic test result and want to better understand what it actually means for you and your family — whether it was ordered by your doctor or through a website.
You're pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or navigating pregnancy loss
Carrier screening, prenatal screening, recurrent loss, preimplantation genetic testing related to IVF — reproductive genetics is genuinely complex, and the decisions are deeply personal. We help you understand your options and navigate your next steps.
Your doctor recommended it
Your doctor suggested you speak with a genetic counselor. Or you think they should have.
What a genetic counseling appointment looks like depends on what you need. Some people come with factual questions. Others already have a good understanding of risks and testing options but are working through what to do with them — whether or when to test, how to talk to family members, and what the implications are for their care. Genetic counselors are equipped for both.
Training & Certification
Genetic counselors hold Master's degrees in Genetic Counseling or Human Genetics. The degree name varies by program, but all programs in the U.S. and Canada are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC).
In the United States, genetic counselors sit for a national board exam and are certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). Licensure is required in some U.S. states but not others. In Canada, certification is through the Canadian Board of Genetic Counseling (CBGC/CCCG). In Europe, Masters programs are accredited by the European Board of Medical Genetics (EBMG). In Australia and New Zealand, genetic counselors also complete Masters programs and are certified by the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA).
All Grey Genetics counselors are graduates of accredited genetic counseling programs. Credentials are listed on each counselor's profile.
Licensure by U.S. State
Whether a genetic counselor can see patients in a given state — and whether they can independently order genetic testing — depends on state licensure law. The map below reflects licensure status at the time of last update; this landscape continues to evolve.
As of July 1, 2026, genetic counselor licensure is also required in WV. We will update this map soon!
Genetic counselors are licensed healthcare professionals in the majority of U.S. states, yet are not currently recognized as providers under Medicare. Federal legislation to establish Medicare coverage for genetic counseling services has been introduced in Congress. Learn more about this issue →
What we do
- Review your personal health history
- Construct a detailed family history, typically tracing three to four generations
- Assess genetic risk and explain what it means for you
- Help you understand if and how genetic testing could be helpful for you
- Order or facilitate testing when indicated
- Interpret results in the context of your personal and family history
- Discuss implications for you and your family members
- Support you in your decision making.
- Provide a written consult note summarizing your appointment
What we don't do
- Diagnose medical conditions
- Prescribe medication
- Recommend specific treatments or direct your medical care
- Make recommendations based on financial relationships with laboratories
- Bill your insurance or file claims on your behalf