Social work licensure in Nebraska

Requirements last verified August 19, 2026 against the Nebraska DHHS Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health Licensing.

License levels

• CSWCertified Social Worker

  The board lists this level but does not state its ASWB exam on the pages we checked — confirm with them directly.

  The Department states plainly that no examination is required. A CSW may not practice privately, independently or autonomously, and may not provide mental health services.

• CMSWCertified Master Social Worker

  The board lists this level but does not state its ASWB exam on the pages we checked — confirm with them directly.

  For the master social work certificate alone — not the LIMHP or LMHP — the Department accepts a pass in the Advanced Generalist, Masters or Clinical examination. Any one of the three.

• PCMSWProvisional Certification as a Master Social Worker

  The board lists this level but does not state its ASWB exam on the pages we checked — confirm with them directly.

  The provisional route for someone accruing supervised social work experience in Nebraska.

• LMHPLicensed Mental Health Practitioner

  Requires the ASWB Clinical exam.

  Where the applicant’s degree is in social work or its equivalent, the Department requires the ASWB Clinical examination. An LMHP may not diagnose major mental illness except in consultation.

• LIMHPLicensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner

  Requires the ASWB Clinical exam.

  Where the applicant’s degree is in social work or its equivalent, the Department requires the ASWB Clinical examination. Diagnosis and treatment of major mental illness without supervision or consultation.

Worth knowing about Nebraska

Nebraska is the most unusual jurisdiction we have read, in two ways. First, the social work title and clinical practice are separated: certification as a Social Worker or Master Social Worker protects the title, while the license that actually authorizes independent mental health practice is the Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner, issued through the same Behavioral Health Licensing unit. The Department is explicit that adding a certification lets you use a different title and does not change your scope of practice. Second, and unlike anywhere else, the Certified Master Social Worker does not pin you to one exam: if you are applying for that certificate alone rather than the LIMHP or LMHP, the Department accepts the Advanced Generalist, Masters or Clinical examination. If your degree is in social work and you are going for the LIMHP or LMHP, it is the Clinical examination. The plain Certified Social Worker requires no examination at all. Worth checking which of these you actually need before you register for anything, because the exam fee is not refundable and the choice is genuinely yours to get wrong here.

Common questions about Nebraska

Which ASWB exam do I need for Nebraska?

LMHP requires the ASWB Clinical exam; LIMHP requires the ASWB Clinical exam. Your board tells ASWB which category you are approved to take, so confirm with them before you register — registration fees are nonrefundable.

What social work licenses does Nebraska issue?

CSW (Certified Social Worker); CMSW (Certified Master Social Worker); PCMSW (Provisional Certification as a Master Social Worker); LMHP (Licensed Mental Health Practitioner); LIMHP (Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner).

How many supervised hours does Nebraska require?

PCMSW: 3,000 hours. The board sets the conditions on those hours — who may supervise, over what period — so read its own rules before you begin accruing them.

Is this information current?

These requirements were last checked against Nebraska DHHS Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health Licensing on 2026-08-19. Licensure rules change without much notice, so treat the board as the authority and this page as a starting point.