It is time to practice the social justice our profession preaches, by adequately compensating counseling residents. There is no downside to changing this law, as it will attract more people into the profession, in VA (other states do not have this barrier). Our graduate internships are unpaid (which is in itself a big issue), so the extra 2+ years of residency should be an opportunity to serve our clients/patients without continuing the financial burden. This will increase the quality of VA counselors.