Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (counseling) (professional counselor) · Nebraska · regulated by Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice (DHHS Licensure Unit) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP); intermediate license LMHP |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | LMHP: 3,000 hours supervised experience after the master's; LIMHP: 3,000 hours supervised (may reuse LMHP hours); CPC: 3,000 hours professional counseling |
| Direct client contact | LMHP: 1,500 hours direct client contact; LIMHP: 1,500 hours with clients with major mental illness/disorder |
| Time limit | Provisional license expires 5 years after issuance (or on LMHP licensure); one second provisional license allowed |
| Exams | NCE or NCMHCE (or CRC) for CPC/LMHP/LIMHP; jurisprudence exam only for reciprocity routes |
Supervision
- How often: LMHP: evaluative face-to-face ≥1 hour/week; LIMHP: 2 hours face-to-face per 15 hours major-mental-disorder contact, ≤45 hours without supervision
- Group supervision: Supervisor may not supervise more than 6 persons at 1 face-to-face supervisory meeting
- Who may supervise: LMHP hours: licensed physician, psychologist, LIMHP or LMHP; LIMHP hours: licensed physician, psychologist or LIMHP. No supervisor registration with DHHS
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted; hours accumulated after the master's (300-hr practicum is an education prerequisite)
- Paperwork: Affidavit of Supervised Experience (LMHP form; separate LIMHP form) signed by each supervisor
Can you be supervised remotely in Nebraska?
Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.
- Video supervision: Required evaluative face-to-face supervision (LMHP: ≥1 h/week; LIMHP: 2 h per 15 h major-mental-disorder contact) 'may include interactive visual imaging' that is secure and confidential; no in-person share set
- Phone only: not allowed for the face-to-face requirement (face-to-face = in person or interactive visual imaging); telephone supervision is referenced but not counted as face-to-face
- In-person minimum: None set by the state
- Supervisor licensed in Nebraska? other: rule accepts a 'current similar credential ... in another jurisdiction'; DHHS PLMHP information says 'Nebraska licensed' supervisor (conflict, see board_questions)
- Supervisor credential: none: license only (physician, psychologist, LIMHP or LMHP for LMHP hours; physician, psychologist or LIMHP for LIMHP hours); no supervisor registration
- Supervisee cap: ≤6 persons at one face-to-face supervisory meeting (group size); no overall caseload cap in 172 NAC 94
- Board approval first: No supervisor registration or plan filing ('NOT required to register your PLMHP supervisor'); a provisional license (PLMHP) must be held for Nebraska hours to count
The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.
Recent and pending changes
LB912 (2026): from Sept 1, 2027 PLMHP applicants need 3 hours domestic-abuse training; LMHP/LIMHP 2 CE hours per 2 years from Jan 1, 2027
Where the rules are unclear
Nebraska’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- May a PLMHP be supervised by a physician/psychologist/LIMHP licensed only in another state? 172 NAC 94-008.01(A),(D) accept 'a current similar credential or certification in another jurisdiction', but DHHS's PLMHP information sheet says the supervisor must be 'Nebraska licensed'.
In the board’s own words
“Has successfully completed three thousand hours of supervised experience in mental health practice of which fifteen hundred hours were in direct client contact” — Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2122(2)✓ matched in the source
“including evaluative face-to-face contact for a minimum of one hour per week” — Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2122(2)✓ matched in the source
“2 hours of face-to-face contact ... per 15 hours of contact with clients diagnosed with major mental disorders” — 172 NAC 94-009.03(B)✓ matched in the source
“shall expire upon receipt of licensure as a mental health practitioner or five years after the date of issuance” — Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2123(4)✓ matched in the source
“Evaluative face-to-face contact for a minimum of 1 hour per week between the supervisee and supervisor. Face to face supervision may include interactive visual” — 172 NAC 94-009.02(B)✓ matched in the source
“imaging assisted communication which is secure and confidential.” — 172 NAC 94-009.02(B)✓ matched in the source
“Direct client contact does not include: ... (F) Telephone supervision” — 172 NAC 94-002.04✓ matched in the source
“a licensed independent mental health practitioner, or have a current similar credential or certification in another jurisdiction.” — 172 NAC 94-008.01(A)✓ matched in the source
“Be supervised by a Nebraska licensed mental health practitioner or independent mental health practitioner or psychologist or qualified physician” — DHHS PLMHP information, p.1✓ matched in the source
“You are NOT required to register your PLMHP supervisor with our office” — DHHS PLMHP information, p.1✓ matched in the source
“The supervisor cannot supervise more than 6 persons at 1 face-to-face supervisory meeting.” — 172 NAC 94-009.01(C)(vi)✓ matched in the source
“If the hours were earned in Nebraska the applicant must have held a provisional mental health practitioner license at the time.” — 172 NAC 94-003.03(B)✓ matched in the source
2 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Nebraska
- LIMHP (marriage and family therapist)
- LIMHP (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All Nebraska licenses · every state
Sources
- Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2122 (LMHP qualifications)
- 172 NAC 94-003.02, -008, -009.01 to -009.03 (eff. 7/12/2021)
- DHHS LIMHP/LMHP application (MHPapp.pdf), p.8
- DHHS PLMHP information (MHPProvisionalApp.pdf), p.1
- DHHS Title 172 index (Ch. 94 amended 7/12/2021)
- DHHS Psychology Provisional License Information & Application (PsychProvisionalApp.pdf), Section B (psychologist supervisor cap of 4 combined PLMHPs/provisional psychologists)
Checked against Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice (DHHS Licensure Unit)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.