Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in Nebraska.

Nebraska’s behavioral-health credentialing is unusual: the Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) is the foundational clinical license, and counseling, marriage-and-family-therapy and social-work specialties are added as title-protected certifications layered on top of it. To use the “Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)” title you must hold an LMHP plus a Certified Professional Counselor (CPC) certificate; marriage and family therapists add a Certified Marriage and Family Therapist (CMFT) certificate, and the LMHP that also diagnoses/treats major mental illness independently is the Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP). Adding a certification changes the title you may use, not the scope of practice. Substance-use counselors are licensed separately as Provisional and full Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (PLADC/LADC) under the IC&RC/AODA framework, psychologists are licensed at the doctoral level, and as of September 2024 Nebraska licenses behavior analysts (LBA/LABA) on top of BACB certification. All credentials are issued through the DHHS Licensure Unit.

Want the one-line summary instead? See the Nebraska licensure overview →
Open the profession + state finder →

Jump to a profession

Professional CounselingAddiction & Substance Use CounselingSocial WorkMarriage & Family TherapyPsychologyBehavior Analysis

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
PLMHP

Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner

Required exam: No national exam required for the provisional credential; the qualifying exam (NCE or NCMHCE) is typically completed during the provisional period before applying for the LMHP.

Scope: Entry credential allowing supervised mental health practice while accruing the experience required for the LMHP. Cannot diagnose or treat major mental illness except in consultation with an LIMHP, qualified physician or licensed clinical psychologist.
  1. EducationEarn a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree primarily therapeutic in mental-health content. Applicants applying for a PLMHP/LMHP on or after 7/12/2023 must hold a degree of at least 60 graduate semester hours, including a supervised practicum/internship.
  2. Supervision / experienceNone required to obtain the PLMHP — the provisional credential itself authorizes you to begin earning the 3,000 supervised hours toward the LMHP under a Nebraska-licensed MHP/LIMHP, psychologist or qualified physician.
  3. ExamNo exam required to be issued the provisional credential.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Provisional License/Certificate application with official transcript and verification of the master’s practicum/internship to the DHHS Licensure Unit, plus fee and conviction-review if applicable.
LMHP

Licensed Mental Health Practitioner

Required exam: NBCC National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) — the specific exam is determined by the area of your degree and the credential(s) sought (see 172 NAC 94, section 010).

Scope: Nebraska’s base independent clinical license for mental health practice (assessment, counseling and psychotherapy). Does NOT include diagnosing or treating major mental illness/disorder except in consultation with an LIMHP, qualified physician or licensed clinical psychologist.
  1. EducationQualifying master’s or doctoral degree of at least 60 graduate semester hours, primarily therapeutic in mental-health content, including a supervised practicum/internship (for applicants on/after 7/12/2023).
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete at least 3,000 hours of supervised MHP experience, including a minimum of 1,500 direct (face-to-face) client-contact hours, with at least one hour per week of face-to-face supervision by a Nebraska-licensed MHP/LIMHP, psychologist or qualified physician.
  3. ExamPass the appropriate NBCC examination (NCE or NCMHCE) after receiving a letter of authorization from the Licensure Unit; scores are forwarded automatically to DHHS.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Licensed Mental Health Practitioner application with transcript, exam authorization and Affidavit of Supervised Experience (MHP) to the DHHS Licensure Unit, plus fee.
LIMHP

Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner

Required exam: NBCC National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), per area of degree and 172 NAC 94 section 010.

Scope: Highest mental-health-practitioner tier; includes independent diagnosis and treatment of major mental illness/disorders without required supervision or consultation. Required (held with a CPC) for Counseling Compact interstate privileges.
  1. EducationQualifying master’s or doctoral degree (60 graduate semester hours, primarily therapeutic mental-health content) including supervised practicum/internship.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete the 3,000 hours of supervised MHP experience (minimum 1,500 direct client-contact hours) with the additional supervised training in the diagnosis and treatment of major mental disorders required for independent practice.
  3. ExamPass the appropriate NBCC examination (NCE or NCMHCE).
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner application with transcript, exam scores and Affidavit of Supervised Experience (LIMHP) to the DHHS Licensure Unit, plus fee.
LPC (LMHP + CPC)

Licensed Professional Counselor — LMHP plus Certified Professional Counselor certification

Required exam: Same NBCC examination used for the underlying LMHP/LIMHP (NCE or NCMHCE); no separate counseling-certification exam.

Scope: “LPC” in Nebraska is a title formed by holding an LMHP (or LIMHP) plus the title-protected Certified Professional Counselor (CPC) certificate. The CPC certificate lets you use the professional-counselor title; it does not by itself add scope of practice. Holding LIMHP + CPC is the basis for Counseling Compact eligibility.
  1. EducationHold the qualifying counseling master’s/doctoral degree (60 graduate semester hours) that supports both the LMHP and the professional-counselor certification.
  2. Supervision / experienceHold (or concurrently obtain) the underlying LMHP/LIMHP, which requires the 3,000 supervised hours including 1,500 direct client-contact hours.
  3. ExamPass the NBCC examination required for the underlying mental-health-practitioner license.
  4. ApplicationApply for the Certified Professional Counselor certificate together with (or after) the LMHP/LIMHP application through the DHHS Licensure Unit; you must hold both credentials to use the LPC title.

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
PLADC

Provisional Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Required exam: IC&RC/AODA examination — taken during the provisional period; an active provisional license is required to be approved for the exam.

Scope: Provisional credential for those working toward full LADC licensure. The PLADC license is required in order to earn the supervised paid work-experience hours and to sit for the licensing examination.
  1. EducationComplete 270 clock hours of board-approved initial alcohol-and-drug-counseling education (from the DHHS pre-approved education list or board-approved provider coursework).
  2. Supervision / experienceNone required to obtain the provisional credential — the PLADC authorizes you to begin accruing the 6,000 hours of supervised paid clinical work experience required for the LADC, under a qualified supervisor.
  3. ExamNo exam required to be issued the provisional license (the IC&RC/AODA exam is taken while provisionally licensed).
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Provisional Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor application to the DHHS Licensure Unit, with documentation of the 270 hours of education and fee.
LADC

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Required exam: IC&RC/AODA (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) examination, delivered through SMT/IQT computer-based testing; passing required for licensure.

Scope: Full substance-use-disorder counselor performing the IC&RC 12 core functions: screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, reports/recordkeeping and professional consultation.
  1. EducationComplete the 270 clock hours of board-approved initial alcohol-and-drug-counseling education.
  2. Supervision / experienceDocument 6,000 hours of supervised paid clinical work experience in alcohol and drug counseling (accrued under the provisional PLADC license).
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC/AODA examination; DHHS pre-registers eligible candidates and mails the official score report.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Alcohol and Drug Counselor application to the DHHS Licensure Unit with verification of education, supervised hours and passing exam score, plus fee.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
CSW

Certified Social Worker

Required exam: No examination required for the CSW certificate.

Scope: Title-protected certification needed to represent yourself as a “Social Worker” in Nebraska. CSWs cannot practice privately, independently or autonomously and cannot provide mental health services. (Social-work activities themselves do not require certification.)
  1. EducationEarn a qualifying social-work degree (typically a baccalaureate or master’s in social work from an accredited program).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo supervised post-degree experience required for the CSW certificate.
  3. ExamNo exam required.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Certified Social Worker application to the DHHS Licensure Unit with transcript and fee.
PCMSW

Provisional Certified Master Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB examination is taken during the provisional/certification process (per area of degree and 172 NAC 94).

Scope: Provisional credential for a person who needs to obtain 3,000 hours of supervised social-work experience in Nebraska toward the CMSW certification.
  1. EducationEarn a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from an accredited program.
  2. Supervision / experienceNone required to obtain the provisional credential — the PCMSW authorizes you to begin earning the 3,000 supervised social-work hours toward the CMSW.
  3. ExamNo exam required to be issued the provisional credential.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Provisional License/Certificate application with MSW transcript and Affidavit of Supervised Experience (MSW) to the DHHS Licensure Unit, plus fee.
CMSW

Certified Master Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB examination (Masters or Clinical level, per the regulations and the area of the degree).

Scope: Highest social-work certification in Nebraska, authorizing use of the master-social-worker title with the specified supervised-experience completed. Clinical/mental-health services additionally require the LMHP/LIMHP mental-health license.
  1. EducationEarn a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete 3,000 hours of supervised social-work experience meeting the specific supervision requirements in 172 NAC 94.
  3. ExamPass the required ASWB examination; scores are forwarded to DHHS after testing through the authorized service.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Certified Master Social Worker application with transcript, Affidavit of Supervised Experience (MSW) and exam authorization to the DHHS Licensure Unit, plus fee.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
PLMHP (MFT track)

Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner — marriage & family therapy track

Required exam: No exam required for the provisional credential; the AMFTRB Examination in Marital and Family Therapy (or the NBCC exam per degree area) is completed before full certification.

Scope: Entry credential allowing supervised practice while accruing the experience required for the LMHP, with the marriage-and-family-therapy supervised experience that supports the CMFT certificate. The LMHP is the underlying base license on which MFT practice layers.
  1. EducationEarn a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree of at least 60 graduate semester hours, primarily therapeutic in content, in marriage and family therapy (or closely related field), including a supervised practicum/internship.
  2. Supervision / experienceNone required to obtain the provisional credential — it authorizes you to begin earning the 3,000 supervised MHP hours (1,500 direct) plus the MFT-specific supervised experience required for the CMFT.
  3. ExamNo exam required to be issued the provisional credential.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Provisional License/Certificate application with transcript and Affidavit of Supervised Experience (MFT) to the DHHS Licensure Unit, plus fee.
LMFT (LMHP + CMFT)

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist — LMHP plus Certified Marriage and Family Therapist certification

Required exam: AMFTRB Examination in Marital and Family Therapy (or NBCC exam per degree area, as determined by 172 NAC 94 section 010).

Scope: Marriage-and-family-therapy practice in Nebraska is established by holding the LMHP (or LIMHP) base license plus the title-protected Certified Marriage and Family Therapist (CMFT) certificate; the CMFT certificate confers the MFT title and requires specific MFT supervision. The underlying LMHP/LIMHP defines clinical scope.
  1. EducationHold the qualifying MFT master’s/doctoral degree (60 graduate semester hours) supporting both the LMHP and the CMFT certification.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete the 3,000 hours of supervised MHP experience (1,500 direct client-contact hours) for the LMHP, plus the specific marriage-and-family-therapy supervision required for the CMFT certificate.
  3. ExamPass the AMFTRB national MFT examination (or the applicable NBCC exam) after authorization from the Licensure Unit.
  4. ApplicationApply for the Certified Marriage and Family Therapist certificate together with (or after) the LMHP/LIMHP application through the DHHS Licensure Unit; both credentials are needed to use the LMFT/marriage-and-family-therapist title.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
Provisional Psychologist

Provisional License as a Psychologist

Required exam: EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology) and the Nebraska Board-developed open-book Jurisprudence Examination are taken while holding the provisional license.

Scope: Doctoral-level provisional credential issued to a person who needs to obtain the required one year of supervised postdoctoral experience in Nebraska before full licensure. A provisionally licensed psychologist may not supervise other mental-health professionals or independently evaluate persons under the Mental Health Commitment Act or Sex Offender Commitment Act.
  1. EducationEarn a doctoral degree in psychology from an approved program (with APA-accredited or equivalent internship).
  2. Supervision / experienceProvisional credential is the vehicle for completing the required one year of supervised postdoctoral experience obtained in Nebraska.
  3. ExamAn active provisional license is required to be approved to sit for the EPPP and the Nebraska Jurisprudence Examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Provisional Psychology Application to the DHHS Licensure Unit with doctoral transcript, internship verification and supervisor registration, plus fee.
Licensed Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: EPPP (national) plus the Nebraska Board-developed Jurisprudence Examination (100 open-book multiple-choice questions). The EPPP is waived for applicants board-certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).

Scope: Full doctoral-level psychology license covering psychological testing/evaluation, counseling, psychotherapy, behavior analysis and therapy, and diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, substance use and psychological aspects of physical illness. Nebraska is a PSYPACT state, permitting interjurisdictional telepsychology and temporary practice for eligible psychologists.
  1. EducationHold a doctoral degree in psychology from an approved program, including the required APA-accredited (or equivalent) internship.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete the required one year of supervised postdoctoral experience in psychology (obtained in Nebraska under the provisional license).
  3. ExamPass the EPPP (or qualify for the ABPP waiver) and pass the Nebraska Jurisprudence Examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Psychology/Temporary/Reciprocity Application with doctoral transcript, postdoctoral supervision verification and exam scores to the DHHS Licensure Unit, plus fee.

Official Psychology resources

Behavior Analysis

Prep for the BCBA exam →
LABA

Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst

Required exam: BACB Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) certification — the national BACB certification process (including its exam) substitutes for a separate state exam; Nebraska issues the license on proof of BACB certification.

Scope: Individual practicing applied behavior analysis under the close, ongoing supervision of a Licensed Behavior Analyst, meeting the requirements of Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-4410. Title protected under the Behavior Analyst Practice Act (effective September 2024).
  1. EducationComplete the BACB-required education for assistant-level certification (qualifying coursework/degree per BACB standards).
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete the BACB-required supervised fieldwork for the BCaBA credential; in Nebraska practice continues under the close ongoing supervision of an LBA.
  3. ExamPass the BACB Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) examination through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Behavior Analyst Initial Application (assistant) with proof of current BACB certification and the Consent/Authorization for Release of Information to the DHHS Licensure Unit, plus fee.
LBA

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Required exam: BACB Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or BCBA-D certification — the BACB national certification (including its exam) is required; Nebraska issues the state license on proof of current BACB certification rather than a separate state exam.

Scope: Independent practice of applied behavior analysis in Nebraska, meeting the requirements of Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-4410. Title protected under the Behavior Analyst Practice Act; Nebraska began issuing the license in September 2024.
  1. EducationEarn a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree and complete the behavior-analytic coursework required by the BACB for BCBA certification.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete the BACB-required supervised fieldwork/experience hours for the BCBA credential.
  3. ExamPass the BACB Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination to obtain current BACB certification.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Behavior Analyst Initial Application with proof of current BACB (BCBA/BCBA-D) certification and the Consent/Authorization for Release of Information to the DHHS Licensure Unit, plus fee.

Official Behavior Analysis resources

All licenses

Nebraska licensing portals & background checks.

How to use this page. Each card shows the education, supervised experience, exam, and application steps for one Nebraska license, plus its scope of practice. Licensing rules change — always confirm current requirements with the official board before you apply. Verified against the official state boards in June 2026.

Pass the exam on your path.

Triad’s AATBS brand prepares candidates for the EPPP, ASWB, NCE/NCMHCE, MFT, BCBA, and addictions exams — backed by a pass guarantee.

Find your exam prep →