Application Fee
See agencyMental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Licensing in Nebraska
Review current requirements, exam details, renewal cycle, and salary outlook for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Nebraska, including See agency and board contact links.
Last verified: Feb 21, 2026
Exam Requirement
State-approved examRenewal Cycle
See board renewal rulesLicensing Blueprint for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Nebraska
Estimated timeline: 1-19 yearsCore Requirements
- 1
Have either:
- 2
Graduated with a master's or doctoral degree from an educational program which is accredited, at the time of graduation or within four years after graduation, by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, or the Council on Social Work Education;
- 3
Graduated with a master's or doctoral degree from an educational program deemed by the board to be equivalent in didactic content and supervised clinical experience to an accredited program;
- 4
Either:
- 5
Is licensed as a licensed mental health practitioner;
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is licensed as a provisional mental health practitioner and has satisfactorily passed an examination approved by the board pursuant to subdivision 3 of section 38-2122;
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All of the following:
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Have received a master's degree, a doctoral degree, or the equivalent of a master's degree, as determined by the board, that consists of course work and training which was primarily therapeutic mental health in content and included a practicum or internship and was from an approved educational program.
- Practicums or internships completed after September 1, 1995, must include a minimum of 300 clock hours of direct client contact under the supervision of a qualified physician, a licensed psychologist, or a licensed mental health practitioner;
- 9
Have successfully completed 3,000 hours of supervised experience in mental health practice of which 1,500 hours were in direct client contact in a setting where mental health services were being offered and the remaining 1,500 hours included, but were not limited to, review of client records, case conferences, direct observation, and video observation.
- For purposes of this subdivision, supervised means monitored by a qualified physician, a licensed clinical psychologist, or a certified master social worker, certified professional counselor, or marriage and family therapist qualified for certification on September 1, 1994, for any hours completed before such date or by a qualified physician, a psychologist licensed to engage in the practice of psychology, or a licensed mental health practitioner for any hours completed after such date, including evaluative face-to-face contact for a minimum of one hour per week.
- Such 3,000 hours must be accumulated after completion of the master's degree, doctoral degree, or equivalent of the master's degree;
- 10
Have satisfactorily passed an examination approved by the board.
- An individual who by reason of educational background is eligible for certification as a certified master social worker, a certified professional counselor, or a certified marriage and family therapist shall take and pass a certification examination approved by the board before becoming licensed as a mental health practitioner.
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Have either: A. Graduated with a master's or doctoral degree from an educational program which is accredited, at the time of graduation or within four years after graduation, by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, or the Council on Social Work Education
- -OR- B. Graduated with a master's or doctoral degree from an educational program deemed by the board to be equivalent in didactic content and supervised clinical experience to an accredited program
- 2. Either: A. Is licensed as a licensed mental health practitioner
- -OR- B. is licensed as a provisional mental health practitioner and has satisfactorily passed an examination approved by the board pursuant to subdivision 3 of section 38-2122
- 3. Either: A.Has 3,000 hours of experience supervised by a licensed physician, a licensed psychologist, or a licensed independent mental health practitioner, one-half of which is comprised of experience with clients diagnosed under the major mental illness or disorder category
- -OR- B. All of the following: (a) Graduated from an educational program which does not meet the requirements of subdivision A of this subsection
- (b) Is licensed as a licensed mental health practitioner, or is licensed as a provisional mental health practitioner and has satisfactorily passed an examination approved by the board pursuant to subdivision 3 of section 38-2122
- (c) Has 7,000 hours of experience obtained in a period of not less than ten years and supervised by a licensed physician, a licensed psychologist, or a licensed independent mental health practitioner, one-half of which is comprised of experience with clients diagnosed under the major mental illness or disorder category. The experience required under this section shall be documented in a reasonable form and manner as prescribed by the board, which may consist of sworn statements from the applicant and his or her employe
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License Type: Stand-alone license.
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A.Has 3,000 hours of experience supervised by a licensed physician, a licensed psychologist, or a licensed independent mental health practitioner, one-half of which is comprised of experience with clients diagnosed under the major mental illness or disorder category;
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(b) Is licensed as a licensed mental health practitioner, or is licensed as a provisional mental health practitioner and has satisfactorily passed an examination approved by the board pursuant to subdivision 3 of section 38-2122;
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(c) Has 7,000 hours of experience obtained in a period of not less than ten years and supervised by a licensed physician, a licensed psychologist, or a licensed independent mental health practitioner, one-half of which is comprised of experience with clients diagnosed under the major mental illness or disorder category.
Exam and processing details
- passed an examination approved by the board pursuant to subdivision 3 of section 38-2122;
Continuing education and program notes
- certified master social worker, certified professional counselor, or marriage and family therapist qualified for certification on September 1, 1994, for any hours completed before su
Application Snapshot
- Licensing Authority
Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services • Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services • Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services
- Current Filing Fee
See agency
- Renewal Cycle
See board renewal rules
- Salary Position
$45,120 median (25% below national)
- State Salary Rank
#43 of 50 states
Step-by-Step Process (6)
- 1. Confirm eligibility prerequisites (Have satisfactorily passed an examination approved by the board. An individual who by reason of educational background is eligible for ce...).
- 2. Complete required education or training (Graduated with a master's or doctoral degree from an educational program which is accredited, at the time of graduation or within four ye...).
- 3. Document required supervised experience (Graduated with a master's or doctoral degree from an educational program deemed by the board to be equivalent in didactic content and sup...).
- 4. Pass required examination steps: passed an examination approved by the board pursuant to subdivision 3 of section 38-2122;.
- 5. Prepare supporting documentation (Have satisfactorily passed an examination approved by the board. An individual who by reason of educational background is eligible for ce...).
- 6. Submit the application to Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services~Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services~Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services and monitor board communications.
Salary Insights in Nebraska
With a median salary of $45,120, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss in Nebraska earn 25% below the national median of $60,060. Nebraska ranks #43 among 50 states. The typical licensing timeline is 1-19 years.
State Hiring Climate (QCEW)
RisingQoQ Employment Change
+2.2%Average Weekly Wage
$1,157Median annual salary
$45,120Hourly estimate
$21.69Difference: -$14,940
Percentile Distribution
Annual compensationMental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary Ranking
| Rank | State | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | New York | $80,230 |
| #2 | Connecticut | $78,820 |
| #3 | Minnesota | $77,100 |
| #4 | California | $75,320 |
| #5 | Oregon | $71,830 |
Nearby States Comparison
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers licensing across the region| State | Median Salary | Education | Exam | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $45,120 | Varies by state board | State-approved exam | 1-19 years |
| South Dakota | $49,560 | Varies by state board | State-approved exam | Varies by board |
| Iowa | $50,340 | Degree required | Third-party exam required | Varies by board |
| Missouri | $46,250 | Degree required | Third-party exam required | Varies by board |
| Kansas | $56,110 | Degree required | Third-party exam required | Varies by board |
| Colorado | $65,080 | Degree required | Third-party exam required | Varies by board |
| Wyoming | $42,220 | Specific course required | Third-party exam required | Varies by board |
License by Endorsement
Transfer requirements are state-specific. Use this quick matrix as a planning signal, then verify final endorsement rules with each board.
| State | Reciprocity Score | Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 78 | High | Board-specific review required. |
| South Dakota | 78 | High | Board-specific review required. |
| Iowa | 50 | Low | State-specific exam conditions may apply. Documented experience may be required. |
| Missouri | 56 | Medium | State-specific exam conditions may apply. Documented experience may be required. |
| Kansas | 50 | Low | State-specific exam conditions may apply. Documented experience may be required. |
| Colorado | 56 | Medium | State-specific exam conditions may apply. Documented experience may be required. |
- License status indicator: Active.
- Reciprocity and transfer rules vary by state board. Verify directly with the agency.
Official Licensing Agency
Official website verified
Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services • Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services • Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services
P.O. Box 94986, 301 Centennial Mall S, Lincoln, NE, 68509
Phone: 4022242117
Related Careers in Nebraska
| Profession | Median Salary | Education | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acupuncturist | $78,140 | Varies by state board | 1-19 years |
| Anesthesiologist | $389,480 | Varies by state board | 1-10 years |
| Athletic Trainer | $57,430 | Varies by state board | 1-2 years |
| Audiologist | $85,820 | Varies by state board | Varies by board |
FAQ
How long does it take to become a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Nebraska?
Most applicants finish the licensing path in about 1-19 years, but timing can change based on education track, exam scheduling, and board processing.
What is the typical Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Nebraska?
The median annual salary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss in Nebraska is $45,120. Salaries range from $36,730 (10th percentile) to $62,870 (90th percentile).
How does the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Nebraska compare to the national average?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss in Nebraska earn 25% below the national median of $60,060, with a state median of $45,120.
How many Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss work in Nebraska?
Nebraska employs approximately 800 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss according to BLS data.
Can I transfer my Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers license to Nebraska from another state?
Transfer requirements vary by board. License status indicator: Active. Reciprocity and transfer rules vary by state board. Verify directly with the agency.
Who is the licensing agency for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss in Nebraska?
The licensing agency is Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services / Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services / Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services. Review agency details at https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/pages/professions-and-occupations.aspx.
How often do you renew a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers license in Nebraska?
Current guidance indicates a renewal cycle of See board renewal rules.