Nebraska Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements -

In Nebraska, counselors and therapists must meet specific educational, experiential, and examination requirements to obtain licensure and practice legally. The primary credentials offered in the state for mental health practitioners include Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP), Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP), and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Below is an overview of the credentialing and licensure requirements, as well as details on the renewal process and associated fees.

Credentialing and Licensure Requirements

Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP):
- Education: Requires a master’s or doctorate degree in counseling, clinical psychology, or a related mental health field from an accredited institution.
- Supervised Experience: PLMHPs are required to practice under the supervision of a fully licensed professional for a minimum of 3,000 hours, typically over two years.
- Exam: The Nebraska Jurisprudence exam is required to demonstrate knowledge of state laws and ethical standards.
- Practice Scope: PLMHPs cannot practice independently until they complete their supervised hours and obtain full LMHP licensure.
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP):
- Education: Requires the same educational qualifications as the PLMHP, with completion of a graduate-level degree.
- Supervised Experience: Must complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate, supervised clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed LMHP or other approved professional.
- Exam: Must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or an equivalent exam, along with the Nebraska Jurisprudence exam.
- Practice Scope: LMHPs can provide a full range of mental health services, including diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, without supervision.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC):
- Education: Requires a master’s degree in counseling or a closely related field.
- Supervised Experience: Completion of 3,000 hours of supervised experience in professional counseling is mandatory.
- Exam: Must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or an equivalent exam.
- Practice Scope: LPCs are qualified to practice independently, offering therapeutic services, but must seek LMHP licensure to diagnose and treat mental health disorders.

Licensure Renewal Details and Costs

In Nebraska, all mental health licenses must be renewed biennially. The licensure renewal process involves submitting an application and fee, completing Continuing Education (CE) hours, and ensuring compliance with any additional state requirements.

Renewal Deadlines:
- Licenses expire on September 1 of even-numbered years.
- Renewal applications are typically sent to licensees about 90 days before the expiration date.
Continuing Education Requirements:
- LMHPs, PLMHPs, and LPCs are required to complete 32 hours of approved continuing education courses during each two-year renewal cycle. Out of the 32 hours, 2 must focus on ethics.
Costs for Licensure Renewal:
- PLMHP: $155 renewal fee.
- LMHP: $155 renewal fee.
- LPC: $155 renewal fee.
- Dual Licenses (LMHP and LPC): If holding dual licenses, practitioners are required to renew both but only pay the fee for one license.

Fees for Specific Licenses

Below is a breakdown of fees associated with the various licensure processes in Nebraska:

PLMHP Initial License:
- Application Fee: $50
- Initial License Fee: $155 (may be prorated depending on the application date)
LMHP Initial License:
- Application Fee: $50
- Initial License Fee: $155
LPC Initial License:
- Application Fee: $50
- Initial License Fee: $155
Examination Fees:
- NCE Exam: Approximately $275
- Nebraska Jurisprudence Exam: Fees vary based on the testing provider.

Sources:

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Counselor and Therapist License Information
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). NCE Exam Information
Nebraska Administrative Code, Title 172. Credentialing Requirements

Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ NBCC-approved CE courses for one low annual fee to meet Nebraska requirements for Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education credits.

2) Nebraska Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In Nebraska, Licensed Mental Health Practitioners (LMHPs), Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioners (PLMHPs), and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) are required to complete Continuing Education (CE) to maintain their licensure.

The CE requirements are in place to ensure that practitioners remain up-to-date with current practices, ethical standards, and evolving mental health care knowledge. Here are the key details regarding the CE requirements for counselors and therapists in Nebraska:

CE Hour Requirements

Total Hours Required:
- LMHPs, PLMHPs, and LPCs must complete 32 hours of continuing education during each two-year licensure renewal period.
Ethics Requirement:
- Out of the required 32 hours, at least 2 hours must be in ethics. These ethics courses typically cover issues such as confidentiality, professional conduct, and legal responsibilities.
First-Time License Renewal:
- For individuals renewing their licenses for the first time, CE hours are not required if the license has been held for less than a full biennial renewal cycle. However, if licensed for more than one year but less than two, a prorated amount of CE hours may be required.

Types of Acceptable CE Activities

Nebraska allows for various forms of continuing education, provided the courses or programs are approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or a recognized accrediting body. Some of the acceptable forms of CE include:

Workshops, Seminars, and Conferences:
- Courses or workshops provided by accredited universities, professional organizations, or mental health associations.
Online or Distance Learning:
- Online courses that are approved by recognized organizations such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or similar accrediting bodies are acceptable.
- Nebraska does not limit the number of hours that can be obtained through online CE activities, as long as they are pre-approved.
Graduate Coursework:
- Participation in post-graduate or doctoral-level coursework related to mental health practice is acceptable. One semester credit hour equates to 15 CE hours.
Presentations or Publications:
- Presenting at professional conferences or having peer-reviewed articles published may count toward CE credits.
- However, there may be limits on how many hours can be earned in this category, and pre-approval from the state board may be necessary.

CE Provider Requirements

To ensure quality and relevance, CE providers must be approved by a recognized organization or meet Nebraska DHHS standards. The following are examples of organizations whose courses are often accepted for CE credit:

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Approved Providers:
- Courses offered by state-approved mental health training programs and continuing education providers are accepted for CE credit.
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC):
- CE activities accredited by the NBCC are commonly accepted, as they adhere to rigorous standards for counselor education.
- Agents of Change Continuing Education is NBCC-approved.
American Counseling Association (ACA):
- CE courses sponsored by the ACA and its affiliates are typically acceptable in Nebraska.
Accredited Universities or Colleges:
- Graduate-level courses taken at accredited institutions that are relevant to mental health practice also qualify as continuing education.

Documentation and Record-Keeping

Licensed professionals must maintain adequate documentation of their CE activities for verification during the license renewal process. This documentation should include:

Certificates of Completion or official transcripts for coursework
Course Descriptions or outlines, especially if the content isn’t explicitly clear from the title
Documentation of Attendance for live seminars or workshops

Counselors and therapists are required to keep records of their CE activities for at least four years after the renewal period in which they were completed. If audited, they may need to submit these records to the Nebraska DHHS for verification.

Auditing and Compliance

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) conducts random audits of licensed practitioners to verify compliance with CE requirements. If selected for an audit, a practitioner must provide documentation that demonstrates completion of the required 32 CE hours, including the ethics component.

Exemptions or Extensions

In certain circumstances, licensed counselors and therapists may request an exemption or extension for completing CE requirements. These requests are generally granted in cases of illness, disability, military service, or other significant life events that prevent a practitioner from completing their CE hours on time. Requests for exemptions or extensions must be submitted to the DHHS with supporting documentation and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Nebraska requires that LMHPs, PLMHPs, and LPCs complete 32 hours of continuing education every two years, including 2 hours in ethics. CE activities can include workshops, online courses, graduate coursework, and professional presentations, as long as they are offered by approved providers. It’s essential for licensees to keep thorough records of their CE activities and be prepared for potential audits by the state.

Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet Nebraska Counselor and Therapist CE requirements and track your completed CEs, with over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet these requirements!

Agents of Change has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7620. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Agents of Change is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.