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 Genetic Counseling Retreat, Georgia 2026.

The purpose of the CEU program “Read & Reconnect Genetic Counseling Retreat” is to highlight the importance of well-being as a foundational state for genetic counselors. Participants will take time to complete validated measures of burnout, self-compassion, and imposter syndrome. They will identify various evidence-based practices as tools for maintaining and improving their overall level of well-being and resilience to ubiquitous stressors of our profession. These practices employ the use of creativity through painting and journaling, the use of parasympathetic activation through breathwork, the use of reflection to define and determine core values. Participants will read “The Let Them Theory” book and discuss how these concepts inform their professional and leadership practices. To learn about disability advocacy and tap into meaning and inspiration of our profession, participants will attend a session led by United Ability Nonprofit and watch the 'Imperfect' documentary. The target audience is all genetic counselors, regardless of specialty or workplace. Material covered and skills gained by participants support the NSGC code of ethics and practice based competencies of genetic counselors.

This course has NSGC approval for 10.6 CEU hours and is pending an additional 6.4 hours for a total of 20 hours of CEU content (2.0 category 1 CEUs). The cost of this conference is $840 and include fees associated with two NSGC certificates. [ADD ADDITIONAL EXPENSES (ACCOMODATION, TRAVEL, THE LET THEM THEORY BOOK, ETC)]. More information on the course is available at theondacollective.com.

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 3 days to complete (Wednesday-Friday, April 15th-175h).  I would like to request to request this time off for these educational purposes.