Looking to become a social worker in Nebraska? You’ve come to the right spot! While there are similarities in licensing requirements from state to state, each state is unique. In addition to providing the essentials below, you can click the link we have provided for Nebraska’s official licensing body. There you can find additional information on potential requirements like background checks, state-to-state license transfers, and continuing education requirements. We hope this handy guide assists in your efforts to become a certified social worker in your state!
Image Source
In Nebraska, it is possible to be licensed as a social worker with either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited institution. The designation Certified Social Worker (CSW) is granted to social workers with Bachelor’s degrees. The designations Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW), Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) and Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) require education at at least the master’s level.
Certified Social Worker (CSW) is the basic licensing level. The CSW must have a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university whose social work program is approved or accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The candidate for the CSW licensure does not need to take an exam, but is immediately prepared to assume the beginning level professional role in public and private social service agencies.
The Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW) must have a master of social work from a college or university approved or accredited by the CSWE as well as have three years of full-time supervised experience and a minimum of 3,000 post-degree hours (over at least a 2-year period). The candidate for licensure at the CMSW level must pass a masters-level exam as prescribed by the Board.
The Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) and Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) both require three years of full-time supervised experience and a minimum of 3,000 post-degree hours (over at least a 2-year period). Both designations require a master of social work or a doctor of social work degree from a college or university approved or accredited by the CSWE. The LMHP is not permitted to diagnose major mental illness or disorders except in consultation with a licensed independent mental health practitioner, qualified physician or licensed clinical psychologist.
NOTE: There is no renewal or reinstatement of a Provisional Credential. An individual who does not complete the supervised experience hours required within the specified 5 year period may re-apply one time for another provisional. All licenses and certificates expire on September 1st of every even numbered year (2016, 2018, etc.), regardless of when it was issued. To renew a License, you must have earned at least 32 HOURS (different than a CEU) of mental health related continuing education, within the previous 2-year period.
CSW Requirements:
- Education: Bachelor’s
- ASWB Exam: Bachelor’s-Level
- Supervision: N/A
CMSW Requirements:
- Education: Master’s
- Supervision: 2 years
- ASWB Exam: Master’s-Level
LMHP/LIMHP Requirements:
- Education: Master’s
- Supervision: 2 years
- ASWB Exam: Clinical