There are many clear reasons to oppose a regulation that requires licensees to graduate from CACREP accredited programs. These have been well-articulated by many commenters: harms the public by reducing highly competent clinicians in rural settings, adds an unnecessary burden on those seeking licensure, has no empirical basis to support it, does not follow other health-care licensing bodies that have alternative paths to achieving the credential. But I wish to point out that requiring all licensees to graduate from CACREP accredited programs hinders diversity!  By this I mean that requiring all licensees to go to counselor education programs eliminates diversity found in programs that are more psychology focused. Having all counselors think exactly alike does not help the public. Of course there are standards that ought to be met by all. Other accrediting bodies pursue these as well (I.e., MPCAC). Frankly, the only reason the board might pursue this is to eliminate the effort it takes to determine whether an applicant meets the needed standard. But this would be a benefit only to board staff. It would not serve the public. Virginia will be hurt if you adopt a CACREP only regulation.