Mental Health Counselor Licensure in Nebraska

Nebraska has a multi-tiered licensing and certification system. The highest license that a mental health counselor can earn is ‘Independent Mental Health Practitioner’. This license, unlike the “Mental Health Practitioner” license, allows for diagnosis of major mental illness; consultation is not necessary .

Mental health practitioner licenses are generic in the sense that they can be earned by social workers and marriage and family therapists as well as counselors; adjunct certification as a professional counselor lets the public know that one’s training is in counseling.

Select a Nebraska Mental Health Practitioner Licensure Topic:

• Licensed Professional Counselor Education Requirements
• Required Examination
• Supervision Requirements
• Application Process
• Out-of-State Mental Health Counselors
• Contacts and Additional Information

Educational Requirements

In most cases, an individual who seeks both independent mental health licensure and professional counselor certification will need to complete a program that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (http://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Mental-Health-and-Social-Work-Practice.aspx). The Board can accept a program that achieves accreditation shortly afterward. The Board can also accept a program deemed equivalent. The program must be housed in a regionally accredited school.

The program must include coursework in eight content areas. Practicum and internship hours must together comprise at least 700; at least 280 hours are to be sent in direct service.

A counseling candidate who seeks independent licensing must demonstrate 60 semester hours of coursework.

An individual who completes a program that does not meet requirements can achieve the independent designation after a minimum ten years of experience under supervision.

Educational requirements for counselors below the LIMHP level are less stringent. The program will need to meet general requirements for mental health practice (as summarized in the application packet). An applicant could be licensed and certified despite missing some coursework typically included in CACREP-accredited programs or having completed fewer practicum hours.

Supervised Experience Requirements

In order to achieve the LIMHP credential, a professional must accrue 3,000 experience hours (http://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Mental-Health-and-Social-Work-Practice.aspx). Fully half of the required hours must be with individuals who have major mental illness or disorder (for example, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, panic disorder). The experience is to be supervised by an LIMPH, psychiatrist, or psychologist. The hours are to be achieved over a period of two to five years.

At least 1,500 hours are to be spent in direct client contact. Activities such as attending case conferences and reviewing client notes may be credited as non-direct hours.

While accruing experience, the graduate will hold licensure as a Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP). A professional who has already met requirements for the LMHP license may work under it to accrue experience hours for.the LIMHP.

A PLMHP who has a change in supervision will need to file paperwork with the Board.

Examination Requirements

The candidate must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Examination (NCMHCE). Both are under the banner of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).

Candidates will receive their registration materials from the Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice; approval is required prior to registration. Individuals who are ready to test may download examination applications from the Board website. They must provide official transcripts that show degree conferral; the degree must qualify the graduate for licensure at at least the LMHP level.

Approved candidates will send their registration materials to the NBCC along with a $200 fee (http://www.nbcc.org/directory/NE). Candidates will wait several weeks for authorization. At this point, they will be allowed to schedule their examinations through Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP).

Computer-based examinations are available in Lincoln, North Platte, Omaha, Scottsbluff, and many other locations around the nation. Testing sessions are scheduled two weeks a month on weekdays and, in some locations, on Saturdays as well. Fee payment grants a six month window. The NBCC cautions that slots do fill.

The Nebraska Board will not receive results until four weeks after the close of the testing week. A candidate who needs to retest must submit another request to the Nebraska Board.

The Application Process

Application materials can be downloaded from the Department of Health and Human Services website (http://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Mental-Health-and-Social-Work-Practice.aspx).

Electronic transcripts can be accepted if they are sent directly from the school to the email address found in the application packet.

A candidate from a non-CACREP program must document equivalent course content. The internship director or supervisor must verify that the graduate supervised experience included the minimum hours. Equivalency review of non-CACREP programs may take 90 days.

Applicants must document citizenship or lawful presence. An applicant for licensure beyond the provisional level will need supervisor attestation. A supervisee who completed required hours under more than one supervisor will need attestation from each.

Applicants who have held prior licensing in health or environmental fields must provide verification of license status.

Fees are prorated depending on the stage of the renewal cycle.

Application materials are to be sent to the Licensure Unit in Lincoln. The Board notes that in most cases, a license can be issued within about two weeks. The process will take longer if there are circumstances that require Board review.

Out-of-State Mental Health Counselors

Out-of-state mental health practitioners must meet similar requirements, with one exception (http://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Mental-Health-and-Social-Work-Practice.aspx). Those who are currently licensed and have practiced actively in the current state of licensure for at least a year may be excused from providing evidence of having met supervised practice requirements. In order to be eligible through this pathway, they must demonstrate that at least one of the three preceding years was spent either in active practice or in a graduate training program or residency.

Candidates who apply based on reciprocity will need to supply a copy of the other state’s statutes.

Additional Information

The Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice is found online at: http://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Mental-Health-and-Social-Work-Practice.aspx. Licensure unit specialists can be reached at (402) 471-4905.

Mental Health Association of Nebraska: http://www.mha-ne.org/

Nebraska Counseling Association: http://www.necounseling.org/

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