I have a CSAC and an LCSW. I am seeking approval for licensure by endorsement without having to take the MAC exam. Currently, LPCs are grandfathered in but LCSWs are not. I currently have an application, and it is pending my passing of the MAC exam. 

On behalf of the Virginia Counselors Association (VCA), we strongly support the Board of Counseling’s proposed fast-track licensure by endorsement process. Virginia continues to experience a critical behavioral health workforce shortage, and reducing unnecessary administrative barriers for qualified, already-licensed counselors is an important step toward improving timely access to care.

The proposed changes appropriately balance public protection with workforce accessibility by recognizing equivalent licensure standards from other jurisdictions while streamlining the pathway into practice in Virginia. A more efficient endorsement process will help attract experienced clinicians, reduce delays in service delivery, and strengthen access to care across the Commonwealth, particularly in underserved and rural communities.

VCA appreciates the Board’s attention to this issue and its commitment to modernizing licensure pathways in a way that supports both professional mobility and public need. We encourage prompt adoption of the proposed fast-track endorsement process.

Thank you, 

Cory Gerwe, PhD, President

on behalf of the Virginia Counselors Association