Certified Professional Counselor (CPC) Requirements
If you use the title ‘certified professional counselor’ or represent yourself as ‘certified professional counselor, you must apply for certification.
- A person who is certified as a mental health practitioner (LMHP) and certified as a professional counselor (CPC) may use the title Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
You can not hold the CPC independently, you must hold a mental health practice license in order to obtain the CPC. In addition, the educational requirements for a CPC differ from those required for a LMHP.
Applications
Certificate Requirements and Application Process
Initial Certification: (See
172 NAC 94-005.03)
To apply for an initial certificate, you must submit the completed
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986Reciprocity: (See
To apply for an initial certificate, you must submit the completed
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
Issuance and Processing Time
If the
If you meet all the requirements for a certificate within 90 days prior to the biennial renewal date, you may:
- Request that the Department delay the processing of the application and the issuance of the certificate until the biennial renewal date and pay only the fee for initial certification (you would not be able to practice until the renewal date); or
- Request that a certificate be issued immediately (which will be valid until the current renewal date) and pay the fee for initial certification and an additional fee of one-fourth of the biennial renewal fee.
Certification Expiration: All Professional Counselor Certificates expire 9/1 of even-numbered years.
These forms may be completed online, however, they cannot be submitted via e-mail due to the fact that all applications and forms require original signatures. If you complete the form online, you must print the form and mail it to the address listed.
All materials shall be submitted to Licensing & Regulatory Affairs with fee payable to the "Licensing & Regulatory Affairs".
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-49865
To be certified, an applicant must have passed the National Board for Certified Counselors National Counselor Examination (NCE) OR National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) with a minimum score set at the National Cut Score.
Misdemeanor/Felony Convictions or Licensure Discipline
If you had a misdemeanor or felony conviction (other than a minor traffic violation) or had your license in any health care profession in another state revoked, suspended, limited or disciplined in any manner, you must request the following documents be sent directly to this office:
- Official Court Record, which includes charges and disposition;
- If the conviction involved a drug and/or alcohol related offense, all addiction/mental health evaluations and proof of treatment (if treatment was obtained and/or required);
- If you are currently on probation, a letter from your probation officer addressing probationary conditions and your current status; and
- If your license in health care in another state has been revoked, suspended, limited or disciplined in any way, an official copy of the disciplinary action, including charges and disposition.
NOTE: If you have any criminal charges or license disciplinary actions pending that results in conviction or license discipline, you are required to report such actions to this department within 30 days.
Expiration Date: All professional counseling certificates expire 9/1, of each even-numbered year. You must renew your mental health practice license in order to renew the professional counseling certification.
Renewal Process: Notice of renewal is sent to each certificate holder approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date. It is important that your address is current with our office in order to assure delivery of the renewal notice. To renew a certificate, you must:
- Renew your Professional Counselor certificate and Mental Health Practice License.
- Document 32 hours of approved continuing education (on the renewal form), earned within the renewal period. These same 32 hours apply to renewal of a mental health practice license (you are not required to earn separate hours for each license or certificate you hold)
- Pay the renewal fee of $25.00.
A person who practices after expiration of his/her credential is subject to assessment of an administrative penalty fee of $10 per day up to $1000.
Final Notice: Renewals not postmarked or received by 9/1 will be sent a final notice. All final notices will be assessed a $25.00 late fee.
Revocation: Renewals not postmarked or received by 10/1 will be sent a notice of revocation.
Continuing Education Waiver: The Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs, on the recommendation of the Board of Mental Health Practice may waive the continuing education requirements, in part or in total, for any 2-year licensing period when a certificate holder submits documentation that circumstances beyond his or her control prevented completion of such requirements. Such circumstances shall include situations in which:
- The certificate holder holds a Nebraska certificate but is not practicing his or her profession in Nebraska;
- The certificate holder has served in the regular armed forces of the United States during part of the 24 months immediately preceding the certificate renewal date;
- The certificate holder has submitted proof that he or she was suffering from a serious or disabling illness or physical disability which prevented completion of the required number of continuing education hours during the 24 months immediately preceding the certificate renewal date; and
- The certificate holder was first certified within the 24 months immediately proceeding the certificate renewal date.
Inactive or Lapsed Status: A certificate holder may request that his/her certificate be placed on inactive or lapsed status (this request can only occur at the time of renewal).
- Inactive status means the voluntary termination of the right or privilege to represent oneself as a certified professional counselor, but retains the right to represent himself or herself as holding an inactive certificate. A $35.00 fee is required for this status.
- Lapsed status means the voluntary termination of the right or privilege to represent oneself as a certified professional counselor. No fee is required.
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