Counselor Licensing Requirements in Nebraska
We want to make sure that you have timely and helpful information about Counselor Licensing Requirements in Nebraska on your path toward achieving full licensure as a licensed Nebraska professional counselor.
There are multiple licenses and titles counselors in the state of Nebraska can hold. Based on your qualifications and education, you could either a MHP or IMHP (mental health practitioner and independent practitioner, respectively). It doesn’t actually take as long to be an independent practitioner; though it does require some forethought when it comes to planning because there are stricter criteria regarding what is considered proper training.
Nebraska Counselor Credential Titles
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner-Certified Professional Counselor or Licensed Professional Counselor (LMHP-CPC / LPC) – This additional appellation is available for LMHPs who have a graduate degree from a CACREP accredited program or a program with equivalent coursework.
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) – An individual who is qualified to engage in mental health practice or offers or renders mental health practice services.
Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP) – An individual beginning the 3,000-hour experience requirement; valid for 5 years.
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Nebraska Counselor Education Requirements
Master’s degree or higher from an approved educational program that is primarily therapeutic mental health in content, in a CACREP accredited program “or complete equivalent coursework,” from a regionally accredited institution.Completion of a practicum or internship with a minimum of 300 clock hours of direct client contact under the supervision of a qualified supervisor.
Nebraska Counselor Experiential Requirements
Completion of a practicum or internship with a minimum of 300 clock hours of direct client contact under the supervision of a qualified supervisor. To include 1,500 hours of direct client contact (not more than 1,500 hours of non-direct service). Supervision must be under an LMHP, LIMHP, licensed psychologist, or licensed physician with mental health treatment training.Nebraska Counseling Exams Required
LIMHP and LMHP with CPC credentialNCE or NCMHCE
Requirements for Clinical Supervisors
Licensed as a mental health practitioner (independent), psychologist, or physician with mental health treatment training.Requirements for Out of State Applicants
Licensure by reciprocity – Certified Professional Counselor Requirements: 1.) Qualify for certification and have made an application for a license as a mental health practitioner. 2.) Have received a master’s degree from an approved educational program as specified in NE’s requirements. 3.) Have 3,000 hours of experience in counseling, after receipt of a master’s degree. 4.) Have been in the active and continuous practice under the license or certification by examination in the State, Territory, or District of Columbia from which s/he comes for at least one year and have been actively engaged in the practice under such license or certificate or in an accepted residency or graduate training program for at least one of the three years immediately preceding the application for certification by reciprocity. 5.) Have passed the NCE or NCMHCE examination or an equivalent examination with a minimum score set at the National Cut Score. 6.) Have attained at least the age of majority and have good moral character. 7.) Be a U.S. citizen or have a lawful presence in the U.S.Scope of Practice
LIMHP “INDEPENDENT MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE” means the provision of treatment, assessment, psychotherapy, counseling, or equivalent activities to individuals, couples, families, or groups for behavioral, cognitive, social, mental, or emotional disorders, including interpersonal or personal situations. This includes diagnosing major mental illness or disorder, using psychotherapy with individuals suspected of having major mental or emotional disorders or using psychotherapy to treat the concomitants of organic illness, with or without consultation with a qualified physician or licensed psychologist. Independent mental health practice does not include the practice of psychology or medicine, prescribing drugs or electroconvulsive therapy, treating physical disease, injury, or deformity, or measuring personality or intelligence for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment planning. LMHP “MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE” means the provision of treatment, assessment, psychotherapy, counseling, or equivalent activities to individuals, couples, families, or groups for behavioral, cognitive, social, mental, or emotional disorders, including interpersonal or personal situations; and includes the initial assessment of organic mental or emotional disorders for the purpose of referral or consultation. Mental health practice does not include: a. the practice of psychology or medicine; b. prescribing drugs or electroconvulsive therapy; c. treating physical disease, injury, or deformity; d. diagnosing major mental illness or disorder except in consultation with a qualified physician, licensed clinical psychologist or licensed independent mental health practitioner; e. measuring personality or intelligence for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment planning; f. using psychotherapy with individuals suspected of having major mental or emotional disorders except in consultation with a qualified physician, licensed clinical psychologist or licensed independent mental health practitioner; or using psychotherapy to treat the concomitants of organic illness except in consultation with a qualified physician or licensed clinical psychologist. “PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING” means the assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within the context of professional counseling theory and practice of individuals, couples, families, or groups for remuneration and includes, but is not limited to: a. Assisting individuals or groups through the counseling relationship to develop understanding, define goals, plan action, and change behavior with the goal of reflecting interests, abilities, aptitudes, and needs as they are related to personal and social concerns, educational progress, and occupations; b. Appraisal activities which means selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting instruments designed to assess a person’s aptitudes, attitudes, abilities, achievements, interests, and personal characteristics, except that nothing in this subdivision authorizes a certified professional counselor to engage in the practice of clinical psychology as defined in the Psychology Practice Act; c. Referral activities that evaluate data to identify which persons or groups may better be served by other specialists; d. Research activities which mean reporting, designing, conducting, or consulting on research in counseling with human subjects; e. Therapeutic, vocational, or personal rehabilitation in relationship to adapting to physical, emotional, or intellectual disability; and f. Consulting on any activity listed in this section.Salary Outlook for Counselors in Nebraska
For those looking to become a counselor in the state of Nebraska, the future looks bright. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average counselor in Nebraska brings home between $37,940 and $69,160 per year. Now that you are familiar with the counselor licensing requirements in Nebraska, visit our How to Become a Counselor in Nebraska page for a more detailed look into the steps you will need to take to make your dream of becoming a counselor a reality.Additional Information about LPC Requirements in Nebraska
NE Board of Mental Health Practice P.O. Box 94986 Lincoln, NE 68509 402-471-0185 Independent Mental Health Practitioner License: $50 (if the applicant holds an LMHP) $155 if no LMHP Mental Health Practitioner License: $50 Professional Counselor Certificate: $25 Provisional Fees: Mental Health Practitioner License: $25 Master Social Work Certificate: $25 Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate: $25Sources: http://dhhs.ne.gov http://www.sos.ne.gov