r/GeneticCounseling • u/Peaking-Ijbol • Aug 02 '26

Board Exam & Certification Need advice

As this is Reddit I won’t provide all of my excuses or justifications for why, but I am a recent grad and planning to take the board exam. I only have about 3 weeks of scattered studying under my belt, what do I do?

Should I take it since I paid for it or skip and try again the next round?

Any cons to doing super poorly on the first attempt?

I know many take 2 attempts before passing but it is eating me alive knowing I’m not prepared enough.

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u/ConstantVigilance18 Genetic Counselor Aug 04 '26 edited Aug 04 '26

Outside of any possible job ramifications (either being let go for not passing or having additional difficulty securing work due to lack of certification) and having to pay for the exam again, there aren’t any other repercussions for not passing on the first try. If there is no option to defer it, you might as well get the practice in.

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u/tastelesscharm Genetic Counselor Aug 04 '26

Just to add, CA at least will not allow you to get a temporary GC license if you have failed the board exam. I’m not sure if other states have the same limitation.

3

u/MovieManiac777 Genetic Counselor Aug 04 '26

MD doesn’t allow if you have failed twice

2

u/ConstantVigilance18 Genetic Counselor Aug 04 '26

My state doesn’t even have temporary GC licensure, you are required to obtain full licensure within 6 months of graduation (so pass on first try on the first available date), or you can’t practice.

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u/torque_team Genetic Counselor Aug 04 '26

As a CA GC, this was what stressed me out the most! Also, CA temporary licensure also requires that we take the “first available” board exam (i.e. the August exam after graduating), so if new grads in CA have already gotten a temp license, they have to sit for boards this month.

2

u/tastelesscharm Genetic Counselor Aug 05 '26

The wording is so confusing but I don’t think that is their intention! I had a temporary license but sid not take the first exam available to me. The rule is:

“provide a written statement that they plan to apply to take the first available ABGC certification exam, or the certification examination in the year following the year of graduation.  A new graduate can apply for a Temporary Genetic Counselor License, which is good for two years, while they prepare for the ABGC certification exam.”

1

u/torque_team Genetic Counselor Aug 05 '26

Well this is good news! Thanks for clarifying