Code of Massachusetts Regulations 270 CMR - BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF GENETIC COUNSELORS
Here’s an overview of 270 CMR: BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF GENETIC COUNSELORS in Massachusetts:
📘 Structure Overview
Massachusetts regulations for genetic counselors are codified in 270 CMR, which comprises:
270 CMR 2.00 – Purpose, Definitions & Severability
270 CMR 3.00 – Licensure Requirements, Procedures, and Professional & Ethical Standards of Conduct
270 CMR 4.00 – Investigations, Complaints, and Board Actions (mass.gov)
270 CMR 2.00 — Purpose & Definitions
Defines scope, terms, and legal severability.
Sets the foundation for the board’s authority. (regulations.justia.com)
270 CMR 3.00 — Licensure & Standards (Latest Updates: March–April 2025)
Covers requirements for both provisional and full licensure, including:
§ 3.01 – General licensure prerequisites
§ 3.02 – Applying for a provisional license
§ 3.03 – Supervision rules for provisional licensees, including mandatory supervisor qualifications, written supervision contracts, periodic reviews, and documentation retention (law.cornell.edu, regulations.justia.com)
§ 3.04 – Provisional license expiration conditions
§ 3.05 – Requirements for full licensure
§ 3.06 – Process for renewing a full license
§ 3.07 – Options for license retirement
§ 3.08 – Ethical standards of conduct and complaint procedures (casetext.com, regulations.justia.com)
§ 3.09 – Activities protected under health‑care laws
Emergency amendments (effective March & April 2025) explicitly protect genetic counselors from disciplinary action related to reproductive or gender‑affirming care, so long as actions are lawful and align with professional standards (regulations.justia.com, sec.state.ma.us)
270 CMR 4.00 — Oversight & Enforcement
§ 4.01 – Board authority to investigate, initiate complaints, and summary suspend licenses (law.cornell.edu)
Defines grounds for disciplinary action, complaint proceedings, summary licenses suspension, and additional adjudicatory standards. (law.cornell.edu)
Licensees must report adverse actions within 30 days (criminal convictions, disciplinary actions, certification denials, etc.). (navigator.betsylehmancenterma.gov)
🔍 Key Highlights & Recent Changes
Emergency amendments in early 2025 now include legal safeguards for genetic counselors providing reproductive or gender‑affirming care (sec.state.ma.us).
Supervision of provisional licensees was further clarified with revisions in Feb 2025 (law.cornell.edu).
Full licensure, renewal, and retirement requirements remain consistent with prior standards.
Complaints, investigations, and disciplinary measures are governed by procedures aligned with Massachusetts General Law and Administrative Adjudicatory Rules.
✅ Practical Summary for Genetic Counselors
Provisional counselors need supervision by either a fully licensed genetic counselor or a certified physician, with formal contracts, periodic reviews, and thorough documentation. (regulations.justia.com, law.cornell.edu)
Full license requires completion of provisional period, passing certification, and meeting renewal or retirement provisions.
Ethical practice in genetic and reproductive care is explicitly legal and protected.
Reporting of disciplinary or criminal events is mandatory within 30 days. (regulations.justia.com, sec.state.ma.us)
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