I want to express my support for the work the Virginia Board has done to address the licensure portability needs of professional counselors. As a graduate from a CACREP masters and doctorate program I support the steps that the state of Virginia is taking to ensure that they move forward in a fair way. Also want to point out that I am currently licensed as a professional counselor in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland; I did not have a problem with the two year waiting period.

I wholeheartedly believe that as professional counselors our field is very distinct with specific training and supervision needs. These needs for our field are encompassed in the CACREP training model.

I commend the board on the fact that they have gone to great pains to been sure that currently licensed professional counselors that would want to have a license in Virginia would be able to do so as long as the classes that have been taken meet the requirement. 

It is my belief that this board has done the right and fair thing by including CACREP as an appropriate training model but also by including non-CACREP training model that ensures that current and future professionals are trained in the tradition of professional counseling with a professional counseling identity.

This process works to protect all current licensees and helps to protect professional counseling for the future. Virginia, as the first state to license professional counselors, has always been a leader in our profession. It is my hope that you will adopt the present model and continue to be that leader.