DHHS Internet Website - Public Health

Psychology

Psychology is the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, or modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, or procedures for the purpose of preventing or eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior and of enhancing interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, personal effectiveness, behavioral health, and mental health. ( Continued description)

30-Day Permit Requirements Applications Board Information Brochure Certification/Verification Complaints Contacts         Contact Us         Other Related Contacts Denial/Disciplining a License Duplicates/Reissue Exceptions from Licensure Expiration Dates/Continuing Education      Requirements

Fees Licensee Assistance Program License Lookup - License Information System License Types Listings Practice Definitions Provisional License Requirements Psychological Assistant Registration      Requirements Psychology License Requirements Rules & Regulations/Statutes Unprofessional Conduct

Psychology continued....
The practice of psychology shall include, but not be limited to, psychological testing and the evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics such as intelligence, personality, abilities, interests, aptitudes, and psychophysiological and neuropsychological functioning; counseling, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, and behavior analysis and therapy; diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, alcoholism and substance abuse, disorders of habit or conduct, and the psychological aspects of physical illness, accident, injury, or disability; psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, remediation, and consultation; and supervision of qualified individuals performing services specified in this section. Psychological services may be rendered to individuals, families, groups, organizations, institutions, and the public. The practice of psychology shall be construed within the meaning of this definition without regard to whether payment is received for services rendered.

License Exceptions: Click here for a listing of exceptions from licensure as a psychologist.

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License Types

Any person who provides psychological services must obtain a license as a psychologist. All materials shall be submitted to the

Licensure Unit
Psychology
P.O. Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986.

Licensed Psychologist  (Prior to 9/1/94, a ‘Licensed Psychologist’ was referred to as ‘Clinical Psychologist’).  A Licensed Psychologist may independently provide all sevices outlined in the definition of Psychology.  Click here for License Requirements, Application Process, Examination, and Renewal Process.

Special Licensed Psychologist (Prior to 9/1/94, a ‘Special Licensed Psychologist’ was referred to as "Licensed Psychologist" - effective 9/1/95 special licenses are no longer issued).  Click here for renewal process.

(Prior to 9/1/94, a ‘Special Licensed Psychologist’ was referred to as "Licensed Psychologist" - effective 9/1/95 special licenses are no longer issued).  Click for renewal process.

A person who holds a Special license to practice Psychology may provide all services outlined in the definition of psychology; however:

• If your practice involves the diagnosis and treatment of major mental and emotional disorders, it shall be done under the supervision of a licensed psychologist (a supervisory registration application is required);
• You shall not supervise mental health practitioners or independently evaluate persons under the Nebraska Mental Health Commitment Act; and
• You may continue to use the title licensed psychologist but shall disclose supervisory relationships to clients or patients for whom supervision is required and to third-party payors when relevant.

Provisional License is issued to a person who needs to obtain the required 1 year of supervised postdoctoral experience in psychology in order to obtain a license as a psychologist.  Click here for the licensing requirements and the application process.

Temporary License is issued to persons who have applied and qualifies for a license in Nebraska by reciprocity, and are awaiting administration of the State-Board Examination. A temporary license expires 1 year after issuance.  Click here for the licensing requirements and application process.

30-day Permit is issued to persons who hold a doctoral degree in psychology from an institution of higher education who is licensed as a psychologist under the laws of another jurisdiction if the requirements for a license in the other jurisdiction are equal to or exceed the requirements for licensure in Nebraska and if the person provides no more than an aggregate of 30 days of professional services as a psychologist in Nebraska per year.  Click here for permit requirements and the application process.

Psychological Assistant is an individual with a master's degree in clinical, counseling, or educational psychology or an educational specialist degree in school psychology who administers and scores and may develop interpretations of psychological testing under the supervision of a psychologist. Persons who have carried out these same duties, as part of their employment in institutions accredited by the Department of Health and Human Services, the State Department of Education, or the Department of Correctional Services for a period of two years prior to 9/1/94, may use the title Psychologist Associate in the context of their employment in such settings.  Click here for the registration requirements.

• Such individuals shall be deemed to be conducting their duties as an extension of the legal and professional authority of the supervising psychologist and shall not independently provide interpretive information or treatment recommendations to clients or other health care professionals prior to obtaining appropriate supervision.

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Fees

 

Fee Schedule

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Expiration Dates and Continuing Education Requirements

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Applications

These forms may be completed online, however, they cannot be submitted via e-mail due to the fact that all applications and forms require original signatures. If you complete the form online, you must print the form and mail it to the address listed.

Fees (if applicable) are payable to the "Licensure Unit".

Licensure Unit
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986

20-Year Practice Application
30-Day Permit Application
 APA Internship Equivalency form
APA Program Equivalency form
Duplicates/Reissue
 License Application
Name Change Request
Provisional Application and Change in Supervisor
 Examination Application
Supervisory Registration Form and change in Supervisor Relationship
 Reinstatement Application

• Psychological Assistant
• Psychologist Associate
• Special Licensed Psychologist

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Practice Definitions

To view the following definitions, click here.

• Client or patient
Client or patient
• Code of conduct
• Confidentiality
• Doctoral degree
• Duty to warn
• Inactive License
• Institution of higher education
• Internship
• Lapsed License
• Major mental and emotional
• Mental and emotional disorder
• Postdoctoral experience
• Practice of Psychology
• Supervision
• Supervision of a person with a master's degree

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Grounds for Denial of a License and Disciplining a License

The statute, Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-178, of the Uniform Credentialing Act, provide several grounds by which the Department may deny, refuse renewal of, limit, suspend, or revoke licenses; one of which is:

Conviction of a misdemeanor or felony under state law, federal law, or the law of another jurisdiction and which, if committed within this state, would have constituted a misdemeanor or felony under state law and which has a rational connection with the applicant's, or licensee's fitness or capacity to practice the profession.

Probationary or Limited License: The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit may issue an initial license on probation (with terms and conditions) or limitation based on these same grounds for discipline.

The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit may issue an initial license on probation (with terms and conditions) or limitation based on these same grounds for discipline.

A complete listing of grounds for denial or discipline can be found in Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-178, of the Uniform Credentialing Act.

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Unprofessional Conduct

A list of unprofessional conduct can be found in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-179, of the Uniform Credentialing Act, 172 Nebraska Administrative Code (NAC) 157 - Code of Professional Conduct for the Practice of Psychology, and 172 NAC 156 - Regulations Defining Unprofessional Conduct by a Psychologist.

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Rules and Regulations/Statutes

Regulations Governing the Practice of Psychology - 172 NAC 155
Regulations Defining Unprofessional Conduct by a Psychologist - 172 NAC 156
Regulations for Code of Professional Conduct for the Practice of Psychology - 172 NAC 157
Regulations for Fees for Psychology Licenses and Certifications - 172 NAC 158 
Statutes Pertaining To Psychology
Statutes Related to Medical Records
Statutes Relating to Nebraska Telehealth Act
Statutes related to the Uniform Credentialing Act
Regulations relating to Mandatory Reporting
Mandatory Reporting Forms

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Board Information

The Board of Psychologists advises the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health on all issues related to the regulation of psychology. Board member composition and length of terms follows:

The Board of Psychologists meets 6 times per year - see Board meeting Schedulefor meeting dates and times. Meetings are open to the public, with the exception of investigational matters. Minutes of the meeting are available here or by contacting Cindy Kelley (402) 471-2117 or by E-Mail at cindy.l.kelley@nebraska.gov.

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Contact Us

 

Office Address:

Phone: (402) 471-2115
Fax: (402) 471-3577

Office Hours:

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (central time)
Monday through Friday

Nebraska Licensure Information

Cindy Kelley
Phone: (402) 471-2117
Fax: (402) 471-3577
E-Mail: cindy.l.kelley@nebraska.gov

Kris Chiles, Section Administrator
Phone: (402) 471-2117
Fax: (402) 471-3577
E-Mail: kris.chiles@nebraska.gov

Kris Chiles, Section AdministratorPhone: (402) 471-2117Fax: (402) 471-3577E-Mail:

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Other Related Contacts

American Psychological Association
750 First St, NE
Washington DC 20002-4242
Phone: (800) 374-2721 ext.5991
Fax: (202) 336-6151
www.apa.org

Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)
641 South Lawrence
PO Box 241245
Montgomery, AL 36124-1245
Phone (334) 832-4580
www.asppb.org

Licensee Assistance Program
Center Pointe Professional Plz
9239 West Center Road
Omaha, NE 68124
Phone: (402) 354-8055
Toll Free: (800) 851-2336
www.lapne.org

Medicaid Provider Enrollment Information
301 Centennial Mall South, 5th Floor
PO Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509-5026
Phone: (877) 255-3092, (402) 471-9334
Policy Information: (402) 471-1608

Nebraska Psychological Association
PO Box 6785
Lincoln, NE 68506
Phone: (402) 475-0709
Fax: (877) 355-9234
Email: npa@nebpsych.org

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Brochure

Chemical Dependency in Healthcare Professionals Resource Guide
Licensure Requirements, Mental Health Related Professions

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Licensee Assistance Program

The Licensee Assistance Program (LAP) is an assessment, education, referral, case management, and monitoring service designed to help licensees, certificate holders, and registrants of the State of Nebraska work through substance abuse/addiction problems.

The LAP services are free. However, in some cases treatment from a community resource agency may be needed. If further assistance is needed, the LAP Coordinator will help refer the Licensee to the most appropriate agency. When a treatment referral is made, those expenses become the responsibility of the Licensee.

This program was authorized by Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-175 and is funded by license fees.

LAP telephone number: (800) 851-2336 or (402) 354-8055, Web address: www.lapne.org

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Name and Address Change

To request an address change, you can contact Cindy Kelley at (402) 471-2117 or E-Mail cindy.l.kelley@nebraska.gov. If you wish to change your name on your license record, you must mail a written request with your signature notarized along with a copy of the legal document verifying name change to:

Licensure Unit
Psychology
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986

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Duplicates/Reissue

Duplicates: The Licensure Unit will issue a duplicate wall license or small license card when more than one original is requested at the time of initial licensure. If you are requesting a duplicate license, you must include an additional $10.00 per request, with your original license application.

Reissue: The Licensure Unit will reissue a large license and/or small license card when the licensee requests: additional documents; replacement of original document(s) due to loss, mutilation or destruction; or replacement of document(s) due to a name change.

If you wish to request a reissued license, you must submit a request for reissuance, and include a fee in the amount of $10.00. Submit said request to:

Licensure Unit
Psychology
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986

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Certifications/Verifications

Certification and Verification information can be obtained by checking the website at: www.dhhs.ne.gov/lis/lisindex.htm

OR

To request either a certification or verification or your license to be sent to another Licensing & Regulatory Affairs/state licensing agency, send your request in writing along with the proper fee to the our office. Checks should be made payable to Licensure Unit.

Certification

1. Fee - $25.00
2. Certification includes:
   1. Name
   2. Profession
   3. License number
   4. Issuance date
   5. Expiration date
   6. Whether the license was granted by examination, waiver, or reciprocity
   7. Examination information, if available
   8. Whether disciplinary action has been taken against the license. If so, the type(s) and date(s) of the action will be included.
   9. SEAL of the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services

Verification

1. Fee - $5.00
2. Verification includes:
   1. Name
   2. Profession
   3. License Number
   4. Expiration Date
   5. Department Staff Signature

A verification does not include the SEAL of the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services nor information relating to discipline, school, or examination.

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Complaints

 

How do I file a complaint? To file a complaint, see the Investigations Division web site: www.dhhs.ne.gov/reg/investi.htm

To file a complaint, see the Investigations Division web site:

What activities must be reported by a licensee, certificate holder, or registrant? Every credentialed person who has first-hand knowledge of unlicensed, illegal or unethical activities is required to report (includes self-reporting) within 30 days of the occurrence. Failure to report may result in discipline. To view additional information relating to mandatory reporting, click on the options below:

• Mandatory Reporting Forms
• Mandatory Reporting Summary (chart showing who is to report and what is to be
        reported)
• Mandatory Reporting Regulations

Mandatory Reporting shall not apply:

• to the spouse of the person,
• to a practitioner who is providing treatment to such person in a practitioner-patient relationship concerning information obtained or discovered in the course of treatment unless the treating practitioner determines that the condition of the person may be of a nature which constitutes a danger to the public health and safety by the person's continued practice, or
• when a credentialed person who is chemically impaired enters the Licensee Assistance Program authorized by Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-175 except as provided in such section.

How is a complaint reviewed, and what is the disciplinary process? The following provides information relating to the complaint, investigative, and disciplinary process.

The following provides information relating to the complaint, investigative, and disciplinary process.

• Investigations web site www.dhhs.ne.gov/reg/investi.htm
• Disciplinary Process Chart
• Uniform Credentialing Act

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