I’m writing to express my opposition to this endorsement proposal that would require licensed counselors from non-CACREP programs be required to show 7 more years of experience than their peers who graduated from CACREP programs. There is no documented evidence that licensed counselors who graduated from programs accredited by CACREP are better prepared than their peers who graduated from other programs.  This proposal would harm the public by unnecessarily limiting the number of licensed counselors who would qualify for licensure (and therefore professional counseling work) in Virginia at a time when the people of Virginia need greater, not reduced, access to mental health care.  CACREP wants to be the only game in town, but it is not and should not be.  While it holds sway in some parts of the country, other parts such as New England, are able to train and graduate excellent mental health counselors (some of the best in the US) in non-CACREP programs.  There are other accrediting groups that also exist and no one player should be a monopoly--just like anti-trust movements.  All qualified accredited programs and graduates should be treated the same under the law and by various states.