How to become a certified counselor in Nebraska, NE

To become a certified counselor in Nebraska, NE, there are several steps that need to be followed. Firstly, an individual must obtain a bachelor's degree in counseling or a related field from an accredited institution. After completing the undergraduate degree, the individual must then enroll in a master's degree program in counseling or a related field. The master's degree program must be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

Once the master's degree is completed, the individual must then complete a certain number of supervised clinical hours, which varies depending on the type of counseling certification they are seeking. For example, to become a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP), an individual must complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.

After completing the required clinical hours, the individual must then pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Passing these exams is a requirement for licensure in Nebraska.

Finally, the individual must submit an application for licensure to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The application must include proof of education, clinical experience, and passing scores on the required exams. Once the application is approved, the individual will be granted a counseling license in Nebraska and can begin practicing as a certified counselor.