Licensure for Social Workers in Nebraska
Learn about Nebraska's social work licensure pathways, certification options,
and professional scope of practice.
Nebraska Licensure Types
📝 Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP)
For individuals completing 3,000 hours of supervised mental health practice
required for full licensure in Nebraska.
📚 Provisional Certified Master Social Worker (PCMSW)
For individuals completing 3,000 hours of supervised social work practice
toward Certified Master Social Worker status.
✅ Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP)
Authorized to independently diagnose and treat major mental illnesses
without supervision or consultation.
👥 Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP)
May provide mental health services but cannot independently diagnose
major mental illness
except in consultation with a Licensed Independent
Mental Health Practitioner, qualified physician, or licensed clinical psychologist.
Licensure Exemptions
For information regarding exemptions from licensure, please review the Nebraska regulations:
172 NAC 94 Regulations →
Certification Types
- Certified Professional Counselor
- Certified Marriage & Family Therapist
- Certified Master Social Worker
- Certified Social Worker (No examination required)
Supervision Requirements
Marriage and Family Therapists and Certified Master Social Workers
must meet specific supervision requirements established by Nebraska regulations.
Refer to the regulations for complete details.
Scope of Practice
Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW) & Certified Social Worker (CSW)
Anyone may perform social work activities in Nebraska. However, certification
is required to legally represent yourself as a
Social Worker.
Social work is the professional application of social work values,
knowledge, principles, and methods across all areas of practice.
Certified Social Workers (CSWs) may not practice privately,
independently, or autonomously and may not provide mental health services.
Important Reminder
Adding a certification to an existing license allows you to use a different
protected professional title. It
does not change or expand your legal
scope of practice.