Dear Legislator,

Please vote to support the CACREP accredited program requirement for licensure. This is a standard in our profession that should be regulated.

Virginia’s significant defense population needs more providers, and this regulation would help ensure there is a highly-qualified pool that is similar to that of psychologist and social workers.

The American Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, the American Mental Health Counselors Association, the National Board for Certified Counselors, and the American Association of State Counseling Boards have all adopted a position that the process of CACREP accreditation should be the prerequisite for licensure as a professional counselor.

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