I have received many accupuncture treatments, both from those with the accreditation currently demanded of their training facilities and those who have not graduated from universities and facilities with the type of accreditation demanded in order for the treatment specialists to be licensed in Viriginia. Very often the ones with the most in-depth training from masters with lifetime practices are a little older and completed training before their universities (etc.) had secured the desired accreditation. I feel that much of our regulatory practice in this state denies excellent practionners the ability to compete with foreign students, who may request evaluation of credentials. It's almost a reverse profiling, where the foreigners have precedence over many students from fine American institutions, institutions which may be visited, investigated, and tested for expertise because of their proximity (being in the country as opposed to being abroad.)
I feel that it is only justice to give American-trained students/practionners the benefit of the same evaluative procedures offered to the foreign practionners/students. The Americans will no doubt be practicing in America and adding to the quality of specialists in their field. Furthermore, at a time when insurances are beginning to recognize these practionners as candidates for insurance claims,this growing field can accommodate many more practionners. No one is wanting to certify those who lack the credentials necessary to treat the citizens of Virginia, but why shouldn't USA healers and practionners be given an equal opportunity to be evaluated by the same standards as their foreign equals? I am sure there would be a large percentage who could "pass the muster." In today's economy don't we want to be developing more jobs for our own citizens? It seems to me to be a win-win situation to let all be given the opportunity to prove their qualifications. Thank you for the opportunity to address this topic.
Sincerely, Diahn Simonini
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