Book I: Health protection for individuals

The genetic counsellor, under the responsibility of a doctor qualified in genetics, participates within a multidisciplinary team : 1° Providing information and advice to persons and their families who may be or have been the subject of an examination of genetic characteristics for medical purposes as defined in Article L. 1131-1, or an analysis for the purposes of prenatal diagnosis as defined in Article L. 2131-1; 2° For the medical,…

The profession of genetic counsellor may be practised by, and bear the title of, persons who hold evidence of formal qualifications appearing on a list drawn up by order of the Minister for Health. By way of derogation from the first paragraph, persons who, on 6 October 2007, have exercised or were exercising functions devolved to genetic counsellors and have obtained authorisation to exercise in this capacity under conditions laid…

The competent authority may, after obtaining the opinion of a commission composed in particular of professionals, individually authorise to practise the profession of genetic counsellor nationals of a Member State of the European Union or of another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area who, without possessing one of the diplomas mentioned in Article L. 1132-2, hold : 1° Evidence of formal qualifications issued by one or…

Genetic counsellors may use their evidence of formal qualifications in the language of the State which awarded them. He must indicate the place and establishment where it was obtained. Where the evidence of formal qualifications from the Member State or Party of origin is liable to be confused with evidence of formal qualifications requiring additional training in France, the competent authority may decide that the genetic counsellor shall refer to…

A genetic counsellor who is a national of a Member State of the European Union or of another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, who is established and legally practises the activities of a genetic counsellor in a Member State or a State party, may perform professional acts in France on a temporary and occasional basis. Where the practice or training leading to the profession is…

When the authorisation to practise or the declaration of provision of services is issued, the genetic counsellor must have the language skills required to practise the profession and those relating to the systems of weights and measures used in France. The language proficiency test must be proportionate to the activity to be performed and must be carried out once the professional qualification has been recognised.

The provisions of article L. 4002-1 and articles L. 4002-3 to L. 4002-7 are applicable to genetic counsellors.

The following are determined by decree in the Conseil d’Etat: 1° Where necessary, the terms and conditions of practice and professional rules ; 2° The composition and operation of the commission referred to in article L. 1132-3 and the conditions under which the person concerned is subject to a compensation measure; 3° The procedures for verifying the professional qualifications referred to in article L. 1132-5.