Thank all of the licensed abstractors and or businesses that responded to this question.  I still think there are some areas that are very good with respect to this process and will make future inquiries as to the effectiveness of licensing in other areas and the means that were used to implement that process.I still think there is more that can be done with this too, like the limiting of the use of your skills toward your customers so that they are aware of the liability that rests with using unlicensed abstractors and continuing the use of illegal services from them. I have also passed the tests required here in Virginia for title insurance, but no longer am active- so the testing will not be a problem , that I can see- the big thing about it is the limitation of outsourcing of work off shore and that seems like it would have to come to an abrupt end and return the work to local abstractors and companies, instead of being sold out by the big title insurance companies as they presently are pushing on their agents .
And Sandra- I agree completely with you about the products of Kansas , I spent 3 lovely summers working on my uncle's farm up in Marshall county, My father graduated from K State  and my older brother recently retired from the DA's office in Shawnee county- so Kansas is my second home and I always look forward to the trips I make back there to visit friends and relatives.You certainly can imagine the looks I get when I give the "Hi Neighbor" gesture while passing someone on the road back here- not something they even understand.!!
Best of luck to all of you out there.
Steve Meinecke
IA/Titlefax
Woodbridge, Va (which is about 25 mi so of DC)