Research Geneticist Related Certifications
Become a Geneticist
- Career Plan: How to Become a Research Geneticist
- Career Plan: How to Become a Medical Geneticist
- Schools offering: Programs in Genetics or Sciences
Genetics Resources…
- Certifications for a Research Geneticist
- Medical Geneticist Certification
- Job Description & Stats: Geneticist
- Related Technology R&D Careers
What credentials will you need to work as a geneticist? It depends on your location and job duties. You won’t necessarily need a license to be a geneticist, but you may need one to carry out certain activities like counsel patients. Some municipalities also license laboratory workers in genetics.
Certification is different from licensing in that it is often voluntary and may be obtained through a respected nongovernmental agency. The word voluntary can be a bit of a misnomer, however. Certification is part of establishing your credibility within the genetics field and is often required by employers.
Certification for medical (applied human) genetics is available through the American Board of Medical Genetics. In order to be eligible to sit for exams, you must complete an ABMG-accredited fellowship. The Trainee Information Form is due at the onset of your training, and an Annual Report is filed each year. Check with the program director of your school to make sure she sends necessary documents to ABMG. In order for you to receive Active Candidate status, she must verify that you have met all the requirements. Once the ABMG has determined that you are indeed eligible, the organization will send you information on scheduling your exam. There will be two parts: a general one and a specialty one.
Success in doctoral level positions also depends on a strong curriculum vitae. You can build your career by publishing articles in peer reviewed journals as well as researching and teaching.
