Dear Legislator,

I strongly oppose the NCLEP plan for counselor license portability because it privileges graduates from CACREP programs over other equally qualified well-prepared graduates. This is effectively a restriction of trade that does not protect the public and instead protects a singular professional association. Along with the ACA, I urge you to support the ACA Portability Plan, which would permit counselors licensed at the independent level in one state (who do not have any disciplinary actions against them) to qualify for independent licensure in any other state in which they are seeking residence.  Duly licensed counselors would be treated equally across the nation under this plan.  Compared with the NCLEP, the ACA plan respects all counselors, the licenses they hold, and doesn't require a waiting period.

There are huge numbers of underserved community members and broad-band license portability will help underserved states attract the numbers of counselors, psychotherapists, behavioral specialists, and other types of mental health providers they need to ensure good public health.

Sincerely,

Heidi Zetzer, Ph.D.