Alcohol and Drug Counseling
Training Information

Training to Renew License—Continuing Education

What is the requirement?

On or before September 1 of each even numbered year, each licensee must complete 40 hours of continuing education during the preceding 24-month period.  

At least 20 hours of continuing education must be alcohol and drug specific.  (All 40 hours of continuing education may be alcohol and drug specific.)   Continuing education is deemed to be alcohol and drug specific if it is approved by the Department or one of the following organizations: 

1. Addiction Technology Transfer Centers (ATTC);
2. American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM); or
3. National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)

A license may earn up to 20 hours of continuing education in activities that may not be alcohol and drug specific but must be approved by following organizations: 

1. American Counselors Association (ACA) or National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC);
2. American Medical Association (AMA); Nebraska Medical Association (NMA);
3. American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation;
4. American Psychological Association (APA):
5. National Association of Social Workers (NASW);
6. American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT); or
7. Nebraska Nurses Association (NNA). 

Per renewal period, a licensee may earn: 

1. A total of 15 hours of continuing education through home study programs.
2. A total of 10 hours of continuing education through research.  This must be a peer review environment by either poster session or publications.
3. A total of 15 hours of continuing education as the presenter of an approved continuing education programs.  Hours will not be granted for repeat presentations within the same biennial.   

Where can the list of Department-approved alcohol and drug specific continuing education be found?

Department approved continuing education can be found on this website under Continuing Education.

Where can the Applications for Approval of Continuing Education for Alcohol and Drug Counselors be found?

The Applications to obtain Department approval of alcohol and drug specific continuing education can be found on this website under Applications.   

1. The program provider/sponsor/organization must submit the application to the Department. 
2. A licensed alcohol and drug counselor may submit an application if the program is presented outside the State of Nebraska or for a college/university credit course.
3. If the program provider/sponsor/organization has not submitted an application to the Department within 30 days prior to the occurrence of a program, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor may submit an application.  

Post-Program Approval: 

1. Application for approval may be submitted after the program has occurred.
2. Licensees assume the risk that a program may not be approved when they attend a training program that has not been approved by the Department prior to the program’s occurrence.
3. Training that has not been approved 30 days prior to the receipt of a licensee’s renewal application will not count towards that licensee’s renewal.