I would like to say that continuing ed. is a wonderful thing, perhaps it will get us all on the same sheet of music.

  However, I think it needs to be done properly. The board needs to have structure, ie. xx hours of ethics, xxx hours technical, xxx hours of law, etc. much the same way that the Realtors have. I understand that under the current draft there is not only no structure, but the Board won't even preapprove courses, or allow someone else to do it. Under current The Professional could spend the required time attending school or conferences only to find that they aren't all going to be accepted.

  I find this approach to be at best lame. If you can't do it right just scratch the whole idea. we will just continue along working with surveys performed by surveyors that should have retired years ago and perform to outdated standards. At least that's better than driving 3 hours for an 8 hour class, missing your work, and having it rejected just as it's too late to do anything.

  Get real. Act like you care about the people and the Profession. You could work with the V.A.S. and set up guidelines, allow proposed educational seminars in virginia and neighboring states to submit course details to someone for approval prior to the date, etc. You know, like other states.

  Please do it, and do it right.

Stephen L. Barcena, L.S.