Arkansas Code
Subchapter 11 - Arkansas Genetic Counselor Licensure Act
§ 17-95-1102. Definitions

As used in this subchapter:
(1) “Genetic counseling” means the process of assisting individuals with understanding and adapting to the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease, which includes without limitation:
(A) Interpreting family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease occurrence or recurrence;
(B) Educating an individual or an individual's family about inheritance, testing, management, prevention, resources, and research;
(C) Counseling an individual or an individual's family to promote informed choices and adaption to the risk or condition;
(D) Estimating the likelihood of occurrence or recurrence of any potentially inherited or genetically influenced condition, which may involve:
(i) Obtaining and analyzing a complete health history of the individual and the individual's family;
(ii) Reviewing the pertinent medical records;
(iii) Evaluating the risks from exposure to possible mutagens or teratogens; and
(iv) Discussing genetic testing to assist in the diagnosis of a condition or determine the carrier status of one (1) or more family members;

(E) Assisting the individual, the individual's family, the individual's healthcare provider, or the public to:
(i) Appreciate the medical, psychological, and social implications of a disorder, including the features, variability, usual course, and management options of the disorder;
(ii) Learn how genetic factors contribute to the disorder and affect the chance for recurrence of the condition in other family members;
(iii) Understand available options for coping with, preventing, or reducing the chance of occurrence or recurrence of a condition; and
(iv) Understand genetic tests, including without limitation diagnostic genetic tests, screening tests, or predispositional genetic tests, coordinate testing for inherited disorders, and interpret complex genetic test results; and

(F) Facilitating an individual's or an individual's family's:
(i) Exploration of the perception of risk and burden associated with a genetic disorder;
(ii) Decision-making regarding testing or medical interventions consistent with their beliefs, goals, needs, resources, culture, and ethical or moral views; and
(iii) Adjustment and adaption to the condition or their genetic risk by addressing the need for psychological, social, and medical support;

(2) “Licensed genetic counselor” means a person who is licensed under this subchapter to engage in the practice of genetic counseling; and
(3)
(A) “Supervision” means the ongoing, direct clinical review for the purposes of training or teaching, by an approved supervisor who monitors the performance or a person's supervised interaction with a client and provides regular documented face-to-face consultation, guidance, and instructions with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the person supervised.
(B) “Supervision” may include without limitation the review of case presentation, audio tapes, video tapes, and direct observation.