I am of  the firm belief that "because neighboring states do it!" is not good enough to mandate this requirement.  Leave us alone to our own business concerns.  We know what we need to know and what "fluff" is. When were the affected professional notified about this legistration by the administration in Richmond?  I have paid my license dues and have not been notified of such legistration in the past (2006?).  Being in business takes away time from the "checking up on my legistrators" and what goes on in Richmond.  I guess that it is just too bad for me and the rest of the affected professionals. Thank you for the "after the fact" post card notification to let me know how the state can award me and my business more financial obligations that do not add to the profit margins of my firm.

I find tt interesting that after 35 years sitting for, and passing, the archtiectural registration examination in 1973, the law makers have caved into the possible wishes of the AIA and national continuing education seminars lobbists to enact the legistration that concerns all of the affected virginia licensed professionals - i.e. archtiects, engineers and surveyors.  The Department of Professional and Occupational Registration that was established to administer the commonealth's input to these professionals is now decided to mandate a continuing education program for all licensed and to make such "uncessessary efforts" a requirement of license renewal.  Where are these people living and what were they thinking.  As a self employed architect for over thirty years I find that it is hard enough to have enough qualified client's to give what knowledge I have been taught and have learned by being in business, a chance to improve their buildng projects.  If the "computer age" architects do not have the "reality of how to stay in business" then maybe they should retain those learning services and "enjoy" the benefits of the "free lunch" that is provided by some seminars.  Where are other architects in this matter?  Are we all too busy at this time to give an opinion?  Can we ask for a revote? I would ask you to not approve that mandatory requirement!