I oppose this petition. In Virginia, LPC’s have been permitted to become LMFT’s without taking the MFT licensing exam, a practice I would also oppose. Professional examinations are designed to measure competency in specific areas of study, including theory and practice outcomes. An MFT practitioner has been trained in systemic (relational) theory and practice; the exam measures competency of systemic theoretical approaches and their practice. Similarly, the Counselor exam reflects that discipline’s theory and training, focused on individuals. The disciplines overlap but retain areas unique to their professional arenas. Any profession requiring examination should hold their applicants responsible for a passing grade in their discipline. This petition seeks to correct an imbalance in the licensing exam requirements within the purview of the Board of Counseling; however, this exacerbates a blurring of the professional lines that already exist.