A provision in HB5458 creates a mandatory state license for genetic counselors—and violations carry criminal consequences.
Most West Virginia health service owners haven't heard of it yet, but a provision buried in HB5458 will require every genetic counselor they employ or contract with to hold a state license by July 1, 2026. Miss that deadline, and your business faces civil discipline and potential felony exposure.
HB5458, relating to professionals licensed by the West Virginia Board of Medicine, created a new licensure category: genetic counselors. Under §30-3H-3(a), any person practicing genetic counseling in West Virginia must now hold a board-issued license. This applies to private practices, specialty clinics, telehealth providers, and any other health service employing or contracting genetic counselors.
The law took effect on July 1, 2026—90 days after the bill's passage on March 9, 2026.
If your business currently employs or contracts with genetic counselors, you are directly affected. This includes:
Even if you contract with a genetic counselor as an independent contractor, you cannot legally use their services unless they hold a West Virginia license.
Violations carry serious consequences. Under §30-3H-12, unlicensed genetic counseling practice exposes your business to:
Because each instance of unlicensed practice can count as a separate violation, penalties can accumulate quickly.
Before July 1, 2026, verify that every genetic counselor on your payroll or contract roster has applied for and obtained a West Virginia genetic counselor license from the Board of Medicine. If you currently employ or contract with genetic counselors, contact the Board of Medicine now to understand application requirements, timelines, and any grandfather provisions that may apply to practitioners already in practice.
Do not assume existing credentials from other states or professional certifications satisfy West Virginia's requirement. A West Virginia state license is mandatory.
Review your current staffing and contractor agreements. If genetic counselors are part of your service model, begin the licensing process immediately. The Board of Medicine should provide guidance on application procedures, but the compliance deadline is firm: July 1, 2026.
Source: West Virginia HB5458, §30-3H-3(a) and §30-3H-12. Bill effective July 1, 2026.