courtesy of theceushop.org

Below is a template to request that your genetic counseling continuing education (CEU) program be paid for by your employer. 
Copy/paste and EDIT THE BOLD BITS accordingly. Add the optional sections (at the end) as needed.

[DATE]

Dear [XXXX],

I am writing to request coverage for continuing education, which is required to maintain my certification as a genetic counselor.

The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) requires genetic counselors complete 125 hours of continuing education every five years (averaging 25 hours/year) to maintain certification as a genetic counselor.

I am requesting cost coverage of the continuing education program: Read & Reconnect Retreat for Genetic Counselors.

The purpose of the CEU program “Read & Reconnect Genetic Counseling Retreat” is to highlight the importance of personal and professional well-being for genetic counselors. Participants will take time to complete validated measures or flourishing, self-compassion, imposter syndrome, and burnout. They will identify various evidence-based practices as tools for maintaining and improving their overall level of personal flourishing. These practices employ the use of creativity through painting and journaling, the use of parasympathetic activation through breathwork and meditation, the use of reflection to define and determine core values. Participants will read “The Let Them Theory” book and complete a quiz on their own time. To learn about disability advocacy and the history of the disability rights, participants will attend a session led by Rising Kites founder Danielle Granholm and watch the 'Crip Camp' documentary. The target audience is all genetic counselors, regardless of specialty or workplace. Material covered and skills gained by participants support the Practice-Based Competency to: Engage in self-reflective practice to promote ongoing personal and professional growth.

This course is pending approval by National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) to provide 20.8 hours of continuing education (2.08 CEUs). The cost of this conference is $485. More information on the course is available at theondacollective.com/retreat2025.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

[NAME]
[TITLE]

Optional additions:

Job performance benefit – In addition to being required for certification, continuing education improves my job performance and allows me to stay-up-to date on my practice-based competencies in the rapidly evolving and demanding field of genetics.

State Licensure – Additionally, the state of [XX] requires genetic counselors to complete [XX] hours of continuing education within [XX] years to maintain licensure. This licensure is required to practice as a genetic counselor within the state. I need to complete XX hours by [XX/XX/XX].

When your employer has not paid for CEUs in the past – It is standard within the genetic counseling profession to have continuing education covered as an employee benefit. On the professional status survey conducted by the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) in 2023, 87% of full-time genetic counselors reported that their employers provided continuing education/conference funding.

Request time to complete the course – This course takes 10 hours to complete.  I would like to request to [1 hour every other Tuesday June 3-Oct 7, 2025/ whatever you want to request] to complete this course. While I am flexible on when I can complete the course (ie: if you are taking it on demand), I would like to have the time to complete this course by [XX/XX/XX].

Request additional CEU programs/conferences- [add any additional course or conference coverage that you would like for the year, such as a book from TheCEUShop.org]