How to Get Your Nebraska Social Work License: A Step-by-Step Guide

Did you know that becoming a social worker in Nebraska requires up to 900 hours of field experience for an MSW degree, while a BSW needs at least 400 hours?

These extensive requirements demonstrate Nebraska’s complete social work license process. The highest credential level as a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) takes about 7.5 years of dedicated work and study. The career prospects make this path worthwhile – Healthcare Social Workers in Nebraska earn an average of $49,280 annually, and Child, Family, and School Social Workers make about $41,650.

This step-by-step guide will help you get your social work license in Nebraska. You’ll learn about different license types, educational requirements, and career opportunities that await you.

Understanding Nebraska Social Work License Types

Nebraska offers several distinct social work license types. Each type comes with specific scopes of practice and requirements. This knowledge will help you choose the right path that aligns with your career goals.

Entry-Level Social Work Licenses

The Certified Social Worker (CSW) serves as the entry point for social work practice in Nebraska. This credential lets you provide support counseling and case management at the bachelor’s level. CSWs must complete 32 hours of continuing education to renew their license. In spite of that, CSWs can’t practice privately, independently, or autonomously, and they can’t provide mental health services.

Advanced Practice Licenses

Nebraska offers the Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW) credential for advanced practice. A CMSW can perform the same duties as a CSW but at the master’s level. You’ll need to get a Provisional Certification as a Master Social Worker (PCMSW) first.

The Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) is another advanced credential. LMHPs can provide clinical services but must consult with qualified professionals to diagnose major mental illnesses. You must complete 3,000 supervised hours between two and five years after you receive your provisional license.

Clinical Social Work Credentials

The Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) represents the highest clinical credential in Nebraska. This license lets you diagnose and treat major mental illnesses independently, without supervision or consultation. You’ll need at least 1,500 hours of experience working with clients who have major mental illness diagnoses.

Nebraska requires both CMSW and LIMHP credentials to get the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) title. This dual licensure pathway needs careful planning, especially when you have to accumulate supervised hours. Success depends on finding a supervisor who has both CMSW and LMHP or LIMHP licenses.

The state provides alternative paths to LIMHP licensure. You can use 10 years of supervised experience and a qualifying master’s degree instead of standard requirements. Your education might match accredited program standards, so you can submit course equivalency forms for the Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate.

Each license type needs specific examinations from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). To cite an instance, CMSW candidates must pass either the Advanced Generalist or Masters exams. LIMHP applicants with social work degrees must complete the ASWB Clinical exam.

Educational Requirements for Licensing

Getting your Nebraska social work license requires specific educational qualifications from accredited programs. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) acts as the main accrediting body and oversees more than 750 social work programs across the country.

Bachelor’s Degree Pathways

The BSW curriculum covers:

• • • Social welfare policy fundamentals
    • Research methodologies
    • Human behavior in social environments
    • Field placement experience

The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Grace Abbott School of Social Work offers a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW). This program creates a path to advanced standing in their Master’s program. Chadron State College has designed its Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program specifically for students in western Nebraska, southwest South Dakota, southeast Wyoming, and northeast Colorado regions.

Master’s Program Options in Nebraska

A CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) degree helps you earn advanced credentials. Students need to complete at least 900 hours of field experience that focuses on generalist social work practices. Nebraska Wesleyan University gives students two MSW options:

• • 1. Generalist MSW Program:
       • 66 credit hours (32 generalist + 34 specialized)
       • 400 hours first-year practicum
       • 500 hours second-year practicum
       • Completion time: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
    2. Advanced Standing Program:
       • 34 credit hours
       • 500 practicum hours
       • Available to recent BSW graduates
       • Completion time: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s MSW program has held accreditation since 1940. This program prepares students to practice social work independently. Students can choose specialized concentrations, but they must meet strict admission requirements:

• • • Minimum 3.0 GPA
    • Previous coursework in statistics
    • Nine credit hours in social sciences
    • Professional references
    • Writing sample in APA format

These educational paths help students learn about assessment, case file management, and client intervention techniques. Graduates can pursue various credentials and specialize in different areas of social work practice.

Online MSW Programs in Nebraska

Only one school offers a CSWE-accredited online MSW program in Nebraska at this time.

The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) offers its CSWE-accredited social work degree program through its Grace Abbott School of Social Work.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program has been accredited since 1940 and is currently accredited through 2029. It offers an advanced generalist curriculum with flexible options, including in-person, remote, and fully online classes. The program has two entry levels: the Foundation level, which requires 63 credit hours and is designed for students without a social work undergraduate degree, and the Advanced standing level, which requires 39 credit hours and is intended for students who already hold a BSW or BSSW degree.

This program prepares students for licensure and independent social work practice in the United States.

Key features of the MSW program include:

• • • Balanced curriculum covering clinical, community, and policy practice
    • Electives for specialized knowledge and skills
    • Focus on advanced practice skills in mental health therapy, diagnosis, community practice, policy, research, and leadership
    • Emphasis on critical thinking and application of knowledge through anti-racist and anti-oppressive lenses

The program also offers dual degree options, allowing students to combine their MSW with complementary fields, preparing them for leadership roles in addressing complex social challenges.

LIMHP Requirements in Nebraska

The Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) credential stands at the top of mental health practice in Nebraska. Social workers can diagnose and treat major mental illnesses on their own with this sought-after license.

Education Prerequisites

You need a master’s or doctoral degree focused on therapeutic mental health to qualify for LIMHP licensure. Your program should meet one of these criteria:

• • • Graduate from a CACREP, COAMFTE, or CSWE accredited program
    • Complete a program that matches accredited standards
    • Hold a master’s degree in mental health plus extensive supervised experience

All programs need 60 semester hours minimum as of July 2023. Your studies must cover these key areas:

• • • Professional counseling orientation
    • Social and cultural diversity
    • Human growth and development
    • Career development
    • Assessment and testing

Supervised Experience Hours

You can take three different paths for supervised experience:

Standard Path:

• • • Complete 3,000 total hours of supervised mental health practice
    • Include 1,500 hours working with clients who have major mental disorders
    • Complete requirements within 2-5 years

Alternative Path:

• • • Build up 7,000 hours over minimum 10 years
    • Include 3,500 hours working with diagnosed mental illness cases
    • Keep supervision throughout the process

Your supervision needs these specific ratios:

• • • Two hours of face-to-face supervision for every 15 client contact hours
    • No more than 45 hours without direct supervision
    • Regular review of major mental disorder diagnostic criteria

Application Steps

• • 1. Submit your application to Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
    2. Pay the LIMHP license fee
    3. Send official transcripts that show your degree completion
    4. Submit your Affidavit of Supervised Experience documentation
    5. Pass either the NCE or NCMHCE exam

Licensed physicians, psychologists, or independent mental health practitioners must provide your supervision. You can use secure, confidential visual imaging communication for face-to-face supervision. Your supervisor must oversee all direct client contact that deals with major mental disorders.

Your license will expire on September 1st of even-numbered years. You need 32 clock hours of continuing education to renew. This includes 4 hours in ethics and 6 hours focused on diagnosing and treating major mental disorders.

Social Worker Salaries in Nebraska

Social worker salaries in Nebraska vary depending on the specific role and area of specialization. Here’s a breakdown of the salary information for different types of social workers in Nebraska:

When comparing these figures to national averages, we can see that:

• • • The median annual wage for all social workers nationally was $58,380 as of May 2023. This suggests that some social work specialties in Nebraska, such as Healthcare Social Workers and Social Workers, All Other, are close to or above the national median.
    • However, Child, Family, and School Social Workers, as well as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Nebraska, earn less than the national median.

It’s important to note that these salaries can vary based on factors such as experience, education, and specific employer. For instance:

• • • Social workers in local government (excluding education and hospitals) tend to earn more, with a national median annual wage of $64,550.
    • Those working in educational services or state government also tend to have higher salaries compared to those in individual and family services or community organizations.

The job outlook for social workers is positive, with a projected growth rate of 7% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This suggests that demand for social workers in Nebraska may increase in the coming years, potentially impacting salaries.

When considering these figures, it’s also worth noting that the cost of living in Nebraska is generally lower than the national average, which can make these salaries more competitive in terms of purchasing power.

For those interested in pursuing a career in social work in Nebraska, it’s important to know that social workers typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from an accredited program. Clinical social workers, who often earn higher salaries, need a master’s degree, supervised clinical experience, and a state license.

Social Work Scholarships in Nebraska

Nebraska offers numerous scholarships to help students pursue their social work education. Many organizations provide financial support specifically designed for future social workers.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) helps students through the Title IV-E Stipend Program. This program supports students at both undergraduate and graduate levels who are enrolled in Nebraska’s accredited social work programs. BSW students can receive funding that covers 15-16 credit hours each semester through a 1-2 year stipend program.

The Grace Abbott School of Social Work (GASSW) at the University of Nebraska-Omaha accepts scholarship applications from September 15 through April 1 each year. The school’s Project NETWORK awards $10,000 stipends to MSW students who focus on mental health interventions in rural areas. The initiative plans to support 85 graduate students over three years.

Here are some notable institution-specific scholarships:

• • • Artice Miles Social Work Scholarship: Full-time sophomore or junior students with a 3.0 GPA who show promise in social work can apply
    • Margaret A. McMullen Scholarship: Senior social work majors need a 3.0 GPA and must demonstrate financial need
    • Morgan Hecht Scholarship: BSW or MSW students can receive $100 based on their social justice work and leadership

The National Association of Social Workers Nebraska Chapter (NASW-NE) gives out these annual scholarships at their September conference:

• • • BSW Scholarship: $500
    • MSW Scholarship: $500
    • Dr. Kathy Russell Scholarship: $100

Students need active NASW-NE membership and enrollment in CSWE-accredited programs to qualify. They must have at least one semester left before graduation.

The Susan T. Buffett Foundation has supported students for over five decades. Their competitive scholarships help Nebraska residents who:

• • • Enter as first-time freshmen
    • Graduate from Nebraska high schools
    • Plan to attend Nebraska public institutions
    • Demonstrate financial need

DHHS provides financial help to MSW students at the University of Nebraska-Omaha or Nebraska Wesleyan University. Students must work with DHHS Division of Children and Family Services in Title IV-E eligible positions after graduation.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Social Work Department helps students with field placement stipends each semester. Students should apply by May 1 for fall semester and December 1 for spring semester.

Nebraska students can also apply for these general scholarships:

• • • CIAC Tradition of Excellence Scholarship: $5,000 for undergraduate students
    • Francelene Skinner Memorial Scholarships: $500 awarded to two recipients
    • Collegiate Farm Bureau Scholarship: Available to students who show leadership potential

Social Work Organizations in NE

Professional organizations are vital to advancing your social work career in Nebraska. These associations help you grow through mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities that improve your practice.

The National Association of Social Workers Nebraska Chapter (NASW-NE) leads the state’s social work community. NASW-NE supports over 120,000 members as part of the world’s largest professional social worker organization. The chapter actively champions social justice initiatives statewide.

NASW-NE members receive these benefits:

• • • Training courses for professional development
    • Specialized newsletters
    • Employment resources and job search tools
    • Networking events and opportunities to build coalitions

The NASW-NE mentorship program stands out as a unique feature. Members can mentor others or learn from experienced professionals as mentees. This program helps social workers in different career phases:

• • • Early career guidance
    • Support during job transitions
    • Help returning to work
    • Professional growth and development

The School Social Work Association of Nebraska (SSWAN) specializes in school-based practice. This organization aims to:

• • • Improve educational experiences for students and families
    • Create effective service delivery models
    • Build relationships with local and national organizations
    • Help school social workers grow professionally

SSWAN has built strong partnerships with healthcare organizations. The Community Health & Advocacy team at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center works with SSWAN to:

• • • Expand youth mental health training
    • Apply trauma-informed practices
    • Develop suicide prevention strategies
    • Fund new memberships
    • Support annual conferences and retreats

The Grace Abbott Training and Supervision Academy (GATSA) provides another valuable resource. This institution helps professionals of all types advance their knowledge:

• • • Social workers
    • Students
    • Caregivers
    • Behavioral health professionals

Students pursuing social work degrees can find support through several organizations. The Student Social Work Organization (SSWO) welcomes undergraduate and graduate students with meetings on the first and third Wednesdays each month.

Phi Alpha Honor Society celebrates academic excellence in social work students. Students must meet these requirements to join:

• • • Declare social work as their major
    • Complete nine credit hours in required courses
    • Maintain a GPA in the top 35% of their program

These organizations support their members during difficult times. NASW-NE helped social workers navigate challenging practice conditions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by providing specialized resources.

Your active participation in these organizations opens doors to professional development, advocacy opportunities, and a supportive network of colleagues. These connections become a great foundation as you build your social work career in Nebraska.

Start Your Social Work Career Now

A licensed social worker’s career in Nebraska demands dedication, a full education, and extensive supervised experience. Each license type is a chance to grow, from entry-level CSW positions to advanced LIMHP roles that let you practice independently.

Your path begins with CSWE-accredited programs. BSW programs need 400 hours of field experience, while MSW programs require 900 hours. These programs help you build the skills you need. NASW-NE is a great way to get support through mentorship programs and networking events.

Money shouldn’t hold you back. Universities, professional organizations, and state programs offer many scholarship options. Field placement stipends also help cover your educational costs while you gain hands-on experience.

Social work success comes from ongoing learning and growth. Keep your connections with professional organizations strong as you move through different license levels. Stay current with required continuing education hours. This steadfast dedication helps you serve Nebraska’s communities better.

FAQs

Q1. What are the basic steps to become a licensed social worker in Nebraska? To become a licensed social worker in Nebraska, you need to earn a CSWE-accredited social work degree, complete supervised experience, pass a national exam, and apply for licensure. The specific requirements vary depending on the level of licensure you’re pursuing.

Q2. How can I prepare effectively for the social work licensing exam? To prepare for the social work licensing exam, understand the exam format, create a study schedule, use reliable study materials, practice with sample questions, and simulate exam conditions. It’s also important to engage in active learning, seek support from peers, and take care of your well-being during the preparation process.

Q3. What’s the difference between an LMHP and LIMHP in Nebraska? A Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) can provide clinical services but cannot independently diagnose major mental illnesses. A Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) can provide clinical services and independently diagnose and treat major mental illnesses without supervision.

Q4. How long does the social work licensing exam take? The social work licensing exam, specifically the ASWB Clinical exam, contains 170 multiple-choice questions and candidates have 4 hours to complete it. Of these questions, 150 are scored while 20 are being tested for future exams.

Q5. What scholarship opportunities are available for social work students in Nebraska? Nebraska offers various scholarships for social work students, including the Title IV-E Stipend Program, Project NETWORK stipends, and institution-specific awards like the Artice Miles Social Work Scholarship. The National Association of Social Workers Nebraska Chapter also provides annual scholarships for BSW and MSW students.