Grounds for Board Action

(1) The Board may take action against the license of a licensee based on one or more of the following grounds: (a) The licensee fails to comply with any provision of M.G.L.c. 112, §§ 252 through 258; (b) The licensee fails to comply with any provision of 270 CMR, or any rule, advisory ruling or policy adopted by the Board; (c) The licensee fails to comply with any order of the Board; (Mass. Register #1546, 4/25/2025) 270 CMR: BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF GENETIC COUNSELORS 4.03: continued (d) The licensee fails to comply with the terms of any Consent Agreement entered into with the Board; (e) The licensee engages in conduct prohibited by the Standards of Conduct set forth at 270 CMR 3.08: Standards of Conduct for Genetic Counselors; (f) The licensee fails to comply with an Order of the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health pursuant to a Declaration of Emergency Detrimental to Public Health made in accordance with M.G.L. c. 17, § 2A or pursuant to such other authority as may be vested in the Commissioner; (g) The licensee engages in conduct outside the licensee's scope of practice, except as may be otherwise authorized by law or licensing authority; (h) The licensee engages in conduct that violates recognized standards of care. (i) The licensee continues to practice after the expiration, revocation, suspension, surrender or retirement of his or her license or after the licensee has entered into a consent agreement in which he or she agreed to refrain from engaging in practice. (j) The licensee knowingly permits, aids or abets an unlicensed person to perform activities that requires a license issued by the Board; (k) The licensee fraudulently procures a license or its renewal; (l) In connection with any examination related to licensure the licensee: 1. impersonates or acts as proxy for another individual; 2. discloses the contents of any examination; 3. compromises the integrity of any such examination; or 4. cheats, or assists another person to cheat, on any such examination; (m) The licensee knowingly provides false information to the Board, either directly or through another person acting on the licensee's behalf; (n) The licensee fails, without cause, to appear before the Board when so requested as part of the Board's review of an investigation, complaint or application; (o) The licensee fails, without cause, to provide a written response to a pending investigation or complaint or to provide documents or other evidence in the licensee's possession and control that may be relevant to the allegations, in accordance with 270 CMR 4.02(3) and 4.06(2); (p) Another government licensing or authorizing agency, within or outside the Commonwealth, imposes discipline against anyprofessional certificate, registration, license or authorization held by the licensee for reasons substantially the same as grounds for Board action in 270 CMR 4.03(1)(p); (q) The licensee falsifies, alters or willfully makes incorrect entries or failed to make essential entries in patient records; (r) The licensee has been convicted of a crime; (s) The licensee engages in conduct that demonstrates a lack of good moral character; (t) The licensee engages in practice while his or her ability to practice is impaired by any substance, physical disability or mental health condition; or (u) The licensee obtains or uses any drug in an unlawful manner; (v) The licensee engages in behavior that is likely to have an adverse effect upon the health, safety or welfare of the public; or (w) The licensee engages in conduct that undermines public confidence in the integrity of the profession. (2) Nothing in 270 CMR 4.03 shall limit the Board's adoption of additional grounds for discipline through adjudication and rulemaking. (3) Notwithstanding the grounds for discipline specified in 270 CMR 4.03, no licensee shall be subject to discipline for providing or assisting in providing reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services, as defined at M.G.L. c. 12, § 11I½, or for any conviction, judgment, discipline, or other sanction arising from such health care services, so long as the services provided would have been lawful in Massachusetts and are consistent with standards for good professional practice in Massachusetts. 270 CMR: BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF GENETIC COUNSELORS