According to the Virginia Department of Health Professionals, there is a high demand for Licensed Professionals (LPCs), marriage and family therapists, and substance abuse treatment practitioners. 29% of Virginia's population lives in a designated mental health professional shortage area.  57% of VA health care facilities recently reported severe staff shortages of psychologists and therapists, with many hiring for hundreds of roles.  High demand for services has forced some state psychiatric hospitals to limit admissions due to a lack of staff.  Cities like Virginia Beach have offered incentives for mental health professionals to address the high vacancy rates. This ruling would incentivize more prospective QMHP's to become licensed clinicians.