Submission dates will change from Sept 2026 to:    Full submissions in September, re-submissions in March

 
Thank you very much for the helpful feedback during the consultation process about changing the dates for certification submissions to streamline the process.  The majority of feedback was supportive of this change. The HGSA Board and Advisory Council has approved this change, and it will come into effect from September 2026.

Why is this change being made?
- The introduction of the interlinked regulation system for genetic counselling registration with audit dates in March means that feedback on Certification submissions cannot be issued until the concurrent CPD and Practice audits have been completed
- The workload of the volunteer Board and volunteer committees including the Certification Committee will be more streamlined with more capacity for providing timely feedback on re-submissions in March and full submissions in September

How does this compare with other countries?
- This continues to provide more frequent options for submission compared with other regions, as submissions or exams are only offered once yearly or once every two years in USA, Canada, UK and Europe.

What will this mean for Certification candidates?
- At September 30, 2026, only full submissions will be reviewed, and only re-submissions will be reviewed at the March 2027 submission round, continuing in this pattern.
- Feedback on full September submissions will be provided in December, and candidates would be able to re-submit any amendments in the following March.
- Feedback on March re-submissions will be provided several months prior to the next September submission date. This will mean candidates who have their Submission 1 accepted (after the September submission date or after re-submitting in March) can choose whether to make their Submission 2 at the next September submission date (i.e., 12 months after Submission 1) or the following September (i.e., 2 years after Submission 1). 
- This will not alter the minimum possible timeframe from Submission 1 to completion of certification. 

Reminders and the corresponding policy updates will occur prior to the September 2026 submission date.