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Background
ABGC's mission is focused on promoting high standards within the field of genetic counseling. In an effort to support our mission, ABGC must continuously evaluate how genetic counselors are certified and recertified.
As part of this process, in 2019, the ABGC Board of Directors convened the Continuing Competence Taskforce to evaluate the current recertification process for Diplomates and to evaluate new strategies for maintaining and enhancing competency that would increase learner engagement. This taskforce recommended a change to the recertification process that will include the integration of reflective learning scenarios.
Overview of Continuing Competence Learning Scenarios
The learning scenarios are developed by ABGC’s Continuing Competence Committee (CCC). ABGC and the CCC have also amended their original process to include a review of all scenarios by ABGC’s DEIJ Committee. Each learning scenario describes a novel or complex genetic counseling situation, followed by a series of questions These questions ask diplomates to reflect on how they would react in the situation as new details are provided.
As part of the development process, scenarios are given to a group of panelists (separate from the CCC and DEIJ Committees). Panelists are asked to reflect on the scenarios and to provide their rationale for why they chose an answer choice that they did. These rationales are included for all questions within a learning scenario and come directly from panelists’ initial reactions to the scenario. They illustrate different thought processes as each panelist draws on their own knowledge, experiences, and values to make a clinical judgment. The range of responses and rationales (noted by the proportion of the panel selecting each response) shows how competent practitioners take different approaches, arrive at different conclusions, and identify different gaps in their expertise in response to the same case. By comparing our reasoning with that of others, we can better recognize our own strengths and limitations and gain insight into areas of practice to explore through further learning.
Once the diplomate has answered each of the questions and reviewed the panelist rationale, they will be provided with an educational summary on the scenario. This summary is intended to provide additional resources should a diplomate want to learn more about the topics explored in the educational summaries. Diplomates will also be provided an opportunity to provide an open response reflection on the scenario.
Details of the New Requirement
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 (5) reflective learning scenarios each year, earning 0.5 CEUs (0.1 CEU per scenario).
Each year, a total of six (6) learning scenarios will be released, and each genetic counselor must complete five (5). Once completed, you will have the opportunity to write reflective feedback for each learning scenario. Not only does this provide an opportunity to reflect on whether the learning scenario challenged your initial thought processes about how to manage the case presented, but it will also provide the Continuing Competence Committee with feedback that may help in developing future scenarios.
The learning scenarios will be housed within the current recertification platform. The scenarios are not graded or scored, and only marked as Complete (all questions answered) or Incomplete. Upon completion, Diplomates will have access to the educational summary and a list of relevant resources.
Details of the New Requirement
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 (5) reflective learning scenarios each year, earning 0.5 CEUs (0.1 CEU per scenario).
Each year, a total of six (6) learning scenarios will be released, and each genetic counselor must complete five (5). Once completed, you will have the opportunity to write reflective feedback for each learning scenario. Not only does this provide an opportunity to reflect on whether the learning scenario challenged your initial thought processes about how to manage the case presented, but it will also provide the Continuing Competence Committee with feedback that may help in developing future scenarios.
The learning scenarios will be housed within the current recertification platform. The scenarios are not graded or scored, and only marked as Complete (all questions answered) or Incomplete. Upon completion, Diplomates will have access to the educational summary and a list of relevant resources.
CEUs and Recertification
Diplomates will still be responsible for earning 12.5 CEUs within their five-year certification cycle, and these CEUs can be earned from educational programs or Professional Activity Credits (PACs).
ABGC will cover the cost for the 0.1 CEUs that will be granted for completion of each learning scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do other health care certification bodies have a requirement like this?
Yes, per the Institute for Credential Excellence (I.C.E.), many organizations have moved or are moving towards developing new, more effective recertification processes that are less costly, less invasive, more relevant to practice, more educational, more convenient and inclusive of ongoing continuing competence assessments.
How long will it take to complete each learning scenario?
We currently estimate that each learning scenario will take approximately 60 minutes to complete; however, all scenarios are self-paced and allow for each Diplomate to read and reflect prior to answering the questions. At the end of each question, Diplomates will receive rationale statements for each answer choice. Following the completion of all questions for each scenario, Diplomates will also have access to an educational summary as an additional resource, and the software will allow time to provide reflective feedback at the end of each scenario if you choose.
Is the number of CEUs going to increase with the addition of the learning scenarios?
No, the total number of CEUs required to recertify is not increasing. Diplomates will still only be required to earn 12.5 CEUs over five years. Starting in 2026, Diplomates will earn 0.1 CEU for each scenario they complete.
Can I count the completion of the learning scenarios towards state licensure requirements?
Yes. Because Diplomates will earn category 1 CEUs for completion of the learning scenarios, they will count towards licensure.
Do I have to complete all of the learning scenarios at once?
No. Diplomates must complete 25 scenarios over their 5 year recertification cycle. 5 new scenarios will be released on a rolling basis each year (starting in January).
Resources
ABGC Continuing Competence Learning Scenarios Infographic
How to Complete an ABGC Continuing Competence Learning Scenario (PDF)