Executive Orders pertaining to Health Care Workforce expired on June 30, 2023. Click here for more information.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen recently signed Executive Order No. 23-13 to avoid a healthcare workforce shortage emergency. This Executive Order replaces Executive Order 22-04 and relates to criminal background checks by fingerprint and only affects licensing for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, licensed independent mental health practitioners, occupational therapists, and occupational therapy assistants.
Types of credentials issued by Nebraska:
For information on exemptions from Licensure, please see Regulations: 172 NAC 94
Certification Types (title protected):
CMSW or CSW: Anyone may provide “social work" activities/services. Social work activities do not require certification (or licensure); however, you must be certified in Nebraska in order to represent yourself as a Social Worker in Nebraska.
Social work is the professional application of social work values, knowledge, principles, and methods in all areas of social work practice. CSW's cannot practice privately, independently, or autonomously and cannot provide mental health services.
*Adding a certification to your license allows you to use a different title - it does not offer a different scope of practice/activity.
FAQs
APPLICATIONS
Provisional
Independent MHP
Mental Health Practitioner
Reciprocity
Certified Social Worker
FEES
The Compact Commission will convene for the first time in October of 2022. The Commission will adopt initial bylaws and rules to carry out the Compact. The Commission will also provide for the creation of an interstate licensure data system allowing for rapid verification of practitioners' good standing and sharing of disciplinary information among member states.
This activation process generally takes up to a year or longer.
If you are interested in learning more about the Counseling Compact and future activities, please click here .
The examination required is determined by the area of your degree and what type of credential(s) you apply for in Nebraska. See section 010 of the regulations.
For information relating to the NBCC examinations (NCE and NCMHCE), click here.
How do I register to take an examination?
The testing registration process is a two-part process.
Examination
Expiration Dates and Continuing Education:
Nebraska does not review or approve CE offerings.
If your credential expires, use the following to reinstate:
DHHS Licensure Unit
Attn: Mental Health
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986
Nebraska State Office Building
301 Centennial Mall South
14th & M Streets, 3rd Floor
Lincoln NE 68508
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed federal holidays.