1.  Should we not have locksmiths on the board; 1 from Northern Virginia, 1 from Tidewater, 1 from Central Virginia and 1 from Southwest Virginia for fair and impartial representation?

2.  Why are there exemptions in the licensing law?

3.  Why does a locksmith have to follow building and fire codes when the handyman, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc don't?

4.  Why does the Commonwealth of Virginia put out bids and accept bids for locks, parts,locksmith services,etc. from out of state and from companies which are not locksmiths?

5.  With all of these exemptions, how can you tell us that the public will be protected?

6.  What is wrong with just having a backround check and finger printing to obtain a license?  Are we not tryijng to weed out the dishonest, unreputable aspects of this industry?  Wouldn't that work toward that end?

7.  Were all of these exemptions written in because of  special interests i.e. money?  (Trick question.  Of course it was!)

8.  Is there any valid reason why I, as a locksmith, am required to have a state license when the folks at Lowe's, Home Depot and the handyman don't when they perform some of the same duties that I do?

9.  Who will be teaching the locksmith classes?  Are they qualified and licensed by the state to do that?  Are they even locksmiths or knowledgable about locksmithing?  Have they ever done any locksmith work?  Or did they learn it out of a book (or better yet, on line)?

In case you're wondering, I'm all in favor of licensing and have been for years.  I do want this to be fair and equitable for all involved and some of the things that I'm seeing are far from either.

For information purposes:  my wife is a registered nurse with a valid Virginia license.  She is required to renew her license every two years at a cost of $90.00 for the two years.  And, yes, health occupations police all licensees. She is not required to have classes and/or testing for renewal.