As in many other states, counselors in Nebraska may be known as Certified Professional Counselors (CPCs). Unlike most states, licensure that results from a counseling degree program and appropriate supervised hours results in a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) or Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) title.

The state’s premier professional organization for counselors is the Nebraska Counseling Association, whose mission is to “enhance human development throughout the lifespan and to promote the counseling and human development profession.” Licensure for counselors in Nebraska is managed by the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Licensure requirements for counselors in Nebraska, including those relating to education, supervision, examination, fees, renewal, and “licensure by reciprocity,” are examined in further detail below, along with salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as scholarships and loan repayment programs available to aspiring CPCs in the state.

Licensure as a licensed mental health practitioner (LMHP) requires the completion of a master’s or doctorate degree from a:

Appropriate degree programs will include at least three semester hours of graduate coursework in counseling theory and in five of the following content areas:

Like many other states, licensure as a mental health practitioner or professional counselor in Nebraska requires the completion of a practicum, also sometimes referred to as an internship. This practicum must be part of the graduate degree program and consists of at least three semester hours. For CACREP-approved programs, however, this requirement is six credit hours, equivalent to at least 600 hours of clinical graduate counseling experience.

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“Supervision” is shorthand for directed experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. Nebraska requires aspiring mental health practitioners and professional counselors to complete 3,000 hours of supervision in the five years immediately preceding the application for licensure. Of the required hours, half of them must be in direct client contact. At least one hour per week should be dedicated to face-to-face supervision. While completing the supervised clinical contact hours, individuals are known as provisionally licensed mental health practitioners.

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Licensure as a licensed mental health practitioner and professional counselor in Nebraska requires a passing score on either the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam.

National Counselor Examination (NCE) for Licensure and Certification

The NCE is a 200-question, multiple-choice examination administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors. It assesses knowledge, skills, and abilities in effective counseling services.

National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE)

The NCMHCE tests knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, counseling, psychotherapy, administration, consultation, and supervision. It consists of 10 clinical mental health counseling cases and assesses clinical problem-solving ability by testing identification, analysis, and treatment. It is also administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

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LMHPs, CPCs, and LIMHPs in Nebraska can expect to pay the following fees for their initial license and renewal (PDF, 82 KB):

LMHP License: $155

LIMHP License: $50

CPC Certification: $50

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Both CPC and LMHP licenses in Nebraska expire biennially on September 1 of each even-numbered year. License renewal requires payment of the appropriate fees and the completion of continuing education.

Although there are no continuing education (CE) requirements for CPC certifications, there are for LMHP licenses. Nebraska LMHPs are required to complete 32 hours of CE during each two-year renewal period. Of these 32 hours, at least two must be related to ethics. One graduate-level semester hour of coursework is equivalent to 15 hours of CE. CE may also be earned through home-study programs, publications, dissertations, university instruction, educational videos, or workshops, seminars, and lectures.

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For Counselors Licensed in Other States

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has an alternative route to licensure for counselors who have already obtained their licenses in other states. This process is called “licensure by reciprocity (PDF, 134 KB)”. Applicants must provide appropriate documentation that their licensing state’s standard for mental health practice is equivalent to Nebraska’s. Individuals seeking licensure in Nebraska must also submit proof of a completed graduate degree, have passed a mental health practice exam, and have been engaged in continuous mental health practice for at least one year prior to application.

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The following types of counselors in Nebraska can expect to earn the corresponding average hourly and average annual wages, according to May 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

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The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to aspiring LMHPs, CPCs, and LIMHPs in Nebraska:

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*Licensure information including requirements, renewals, scholarships and fees were retrieved as of May 2022. Information may have changed since, check with the state’s board of licensing for more information.

Last Updated: May 2022