This regulatory change will help protect the public in Virginia and ensure client welfare.  The Institute of Medicine, a non-partisan, public research organization charged by Congress, determined that a clinical degree from a CACREP accredited program should be the baseline for independent practice with TRICARE, which has since adopted that standard. Clients in Virginia deserve the same high level of preparation. As I have learned throughout my time as a student in Counselor Education, the welfare of the client is at the top of our priority list. Regulatory action to ensure this is necessary to assure that counselors are well equipped with the knowledge and certification that allows us to help clients in a large range of populations. It is also important for policy makers, educators, and counselors alike to remember that regulations are not about whether a certain program is included or not, it should be about what is best for clients that come see professional counselors. Personally I am proud to be attending a program with the CACREP accreditation, because I feel as though I am able to represent the counseling field as a reputable and important field of work and study. As a beginner counselor I would like to continue to see the education and licensure standards upheld so that the counseling field may continue to grow and reach more and more clients within the state and country. Virginia has very inclusive policies that allow anyone with two years of licensure experience in another state, to relocate to Virginia and get licensed by endorsement. Please support this regulatory change, and thank you for your consideration.