Nebraska
Your Step-by-Step Path to Licensure and Beyond
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
How to become a social worker
Step 1: Complete a CSWE-accredited Social Work program
Step 2: Apply for your Nebraska PLMHP and PCMSW License
- In order to earn hours towards your Nebraska social work license, or in this case two licenses, you must apply for a Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP) license as well as the Provisional Certification as a Master Social Worker (PCMSW) license. Fortunately, this is one state application, which entails:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (driver’s license not accepted)
- Official Masters or Doctorate school transcript
- $125 application fee (check or money order only)
- Make sure you check BOTH boxes to clarify you are applying for the PLMHP as well as the PCMSW.
Step 3: Accrue Hours toward your Nebraska Social Work License
- Find a supervisor who also has both the CMSW and LMHP or LIMHP license in order to earn hours toward both licenses
- Earn 3,000 hours between 2 and 5 years of receiving your provisional license
- Half of these hours must be earned with clients who have been diagnosed under the major mental illness or disorder category
Step 4: Apply for your Nebraska CMSW and LMHP License
- Complete the state application to fill out for both the CMSW license and the LMHP License This includes:
- $205 application fee ($155 for LMHP and $50 for CMSW)
- Official school transcript
- Proof of age and lawful citizenship
- Affidavit of supervised experience (included in application)
- Affidavit of supervised master’s practicum or internship in mental health practice (included in application)
- Then, sign up for TDC’s LCSW Exam Prep: ASWB Clinical Level program to pass your exam
- Once you pass, submit your application with your ASWB passing score, and you’re done!
Continuing Education Requirements
Pre-licensure - Social workers in NE have the same CE requirements as Licensed Social workers.
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years by August 31 of each EVEN year
- Total Hours Required: 32 hours
- Must include:
- 4 hours Ethics
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)
How to become a Marriage & Family Therapist
Step 1: Earn Your Degree
- A master’s or doctoral degree in a therapeutic mental health field accredited by COAMFTE, CACREP, CSWE, or APA
- Must include a practicum/internship with a minimum of 300 clock hours of direct client contact.
- A plan established to complete hours of work experience and supervision, with an identified Board-approved supervisor.
Step 2: Accrue Supervised Clinical Experience
- 3,000 hours of supervised experience
- 1,500 hours must be direct client contact
- Remaining 1,500 may be indirect work
- Up to 500 hours may be accumulated while in graduate training
- 200 hours of direct supervision, of which 75% must be individual
- CMFT specific requirements:
- Cumulative ratio of two hours of direct supervision for every 15 hours of client contact
- No more than 45 hours may be accumulated without direct supervision
Step 3: Pass Required Exam
- Apply to take the AMFTRB National MFT Exam
- Exam fee $365
- Sign up for TDC’s NMFT exam prep course and study with confidence!
Step 4: Apply for Full LMFT Licensure
- Submit supervised hours
- Submit AMFTRB exam results
- Submit official transcripts
- Pay licensure application fee $200
(In Nebraska, a licensed Mental Health Practitioner cannot diagnose major mental illness or disorder except in consultation with a licensed independent mental health practitioner, qualified physician or licensed clinical psychologist.)
Continuing Education Requirements
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
- Total Hours Required: 32 hours
- Must include:
- 4 hours ethics
- 6 hours relating to diagnosis and treatment of major mental disorders
- 20 hours home study allowed
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
