Virginia would set a bad precedent if they were to allow only CACREP approved counseling programs and licensure only for those graduating from CACREP approved colleges. It would automatically close employment opportunities for licensed counselors trained in other programs and would severely limit and monopolize training options.I have been practicing as a licensed clinical mental health counselor for almost 30 years and while I did not graudate from a CACREP approved program, I nevertheless,  had excellent training. If this law were to pass in Virginia, a person such as myself would not be able to practice nor would others be able to chose from a range of training options. While I support the idea of a common core of certain required training to ensure competency across programs, it is presumptuous and self-serving to think that can only happen with CACREP approval. It  would be very divisive to the profession and misleading to the public for Virginia to require all counselor training programs to be CACREP approved. I strongly oppose such action.