Social Work
A Social Work certificate is required if you use the title ‘social worker’ or represent yourself as a social worker, you must apply for certification. Social work practice or the practice of social work is the professional activity of helping individuals, groups, and families or larger systems such as organizations and communities to improve, restore, or enhance their capacities for personal and social functioning and the professional application of social work values, knowledge, principles, and methods.
A person who provides only social work activities is not required to be licensed as a mental health practitioner. If you plan to provide mental health services, click here for information relating to mental health licensure.
There are two separate certifications:
- Certified Social Worker (CSW): A CSW is a person who has received a baccalaureate or masters degree in social work. A certified social worker can not practice independently, he/she is required to practice under supervision – the statutes do not mandate the type of supervisor or the credentials of said supervisor.
Click here for complete definition of Social Work, CSW Certification Requirements, Application Process, and Renewal Process.
- Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW): A CMSW is a person who has received a masters or doctorate degree in social work, has 3,000 hours of experience and has passed the examination. A CMSW may practice independently.
- A certified master social worker who only practices within the confines of the definition of social work is not required to also be licensed as a mental health practitioner.
- You can not independently hold a certificate as a master social worker if you provide mental health services. Thus, if you wish to represent yourself as CMSW and provide mental health services, you must obtain a CMSW and a LMHP.
- A person who is licensed as a mental health practitioner and certified as a master social worker may use the title licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
Click here for the complete definition of Social Work, CMSW Certification Requirements, Application Process, and Renewal Process.
Provisionally Certified Master Social Worker (PCMSW): Is a person who is obtaining the 3,000 hours of supervised experience in social work in order to meet the requirements for a certificate as a Certified Master Social Worker.
- You can not independently hold a provisional certificate as a master social worker if you provide mental health services. Thus, if you wish to represent yourself as PCMSW and provide mental health services, you must obtain a PCMSW and a PLMHP.
Click here for Provisional Certification Requirements and Application Process.
Expiration Dates and Continuing Education (CE) Requirements
| License Type | Expiration Date | CE |
| Certified Master Social Worker (with LMHP) | 09/01 even years | No additional hours above those for LMHP |
| Provisional Certified Master Social Worker | 5 years from date of issuance | 0 hours |
| Certified Master Social Worker (no LMHP) | 09/01 even years | 32 hours |
| Certified Social Worker | 09/01 even years | 32 hours |
All social work certificates are required to obtain at least 32 hours of continuing education by 9/1 of each even numbered year. If you hold both a LMHP and an associated certificate in SW, you are not required to earn seperate hours for each license and certificate that you hold.
Click
here for information relating to continuing education.
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.
Fees (if applicable) are payable to the "Licensing & Regulatory Affairs".
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
- Provisional Master Social Worker
- ASWB (SW examination)
- Master Social Worker
Grounds for Denial of a License and Disciplining a License
The
Conviction of a misdemeanor or felony under state law, federal law, or the law of another jurisdiction and which, if committed within this state, would have constituted a misdemeanor or felony under state law and which has a rational connection with the applicant's, or licensee's fitness or capacity to practice the profession.
To view a listing of all grounds, click
Probationary or Limited Certificate: The Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Division, may issue an initial certificate on probation (with terms and conditions) or limitation based on these same grounds for discipline.
Unprofessional Conduct
A list of unprofessional conduct can be found in Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 71-147 - 148, of the
Rules and Regulations/Statutes
Board Information
The Board of Mental Health Practice advises the Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure on all issues related to the regulation of social workers. For information relating to becoming a board member and their responsibilities, see Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Board Member Elections & Roles. Board member composition and length of terms follows:
| Membership: | 2 Licensed Mental Health Practitioners (who do not hold an
MFT, PC, or MSW certificate); 2 Certified Marriage and Family Therapists; 2 Certified Master Social Workers; 2 Certified Professional Counselors; and 2 Public Members (At least one professional memeber of the board shall be a member of a racial or ethnic minority) |
| Length of Term: | 5 years, no more than 2 consecutive full 5-year terms. |
| Professional Requirements: | Been actively engaged in practice of his/her profession in the State of Nebraska, under a license issued in this state, for a period of 5 years just preceding his/her appointment. |
| Public Member: |
|
The Board of Mental Health Practice meets 6 times per year - click here for meeting dates and times. Meetings are open to the public, with the exception of investigational matters. Minutes of the meeting are available here or by contacting Cindy Kelley (402) 471-2117 or by e-mail at cindy.l.kelley@dhhs.ne.gov.
Contact Us
Office Address:
| Mailing Address | Physical Address |
| Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services - Regulation
and Licensure Licensing & Regulatory Affairs PO Box 94986 Lincoln, NE 68509-4986 |
Nebraska State Office Building 301 Centennial Mall South 14th and M Streets 3rd Floor Lincoln, Nebraska |
Phone: (402) 471-2115
Fax: (402) 471-3577Office Hours:
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (central time)
Monday through FridayProvisional Certificate Information:
Pam Weise, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Phone: (402) 471-0183
Fax: (402) 471-3577Nebraska Certificate Information:
Cindy Kelley, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Kris Chiles, Section Administrator
Phone: (402) 471-2117
Fax: (402) 471-3577
e-mail: cindy.l.kelley@dhhs.ne.gov
Phone: (402) 471-2117
Fax: (402) 471-3577
e-mail: kris.chiles@dhhs.ne.gov
Other Related Contacts
Licensee Assistance Program
Center Pointe Professional Plz
9239 West Center Road
Omaha, NE 68124
Phone: (402) 354-8055
Toll Free: (800) 851-2336
www.lapne.orgMedicaid Provider Enrollment Information
301 Centennial Mall South, 5th Floor
PO Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509-5026
Phone: (877) 255-3092, (402) 471-9128
Policy Information: (402) 471-1608
www.dhhs.ne.gov/med/medindex.htmMental Health, Substance Abuse, and Addiction Services
PO Box 98925
Lincoln, NE 68509-8925
Phone: (402) 479-5249
Certification (CADAC) (402) 479-5580
Social Work Related Contacts
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
400 South Ridge Parkway, Suite B
Culpeper, Virginia 22701
Toll Free: (800) 225-6880
Phone: (540) 829-6880
Fax: (540) 829-0142
www.aswb.orgCouncil on Social Work Education (CSWE)
1725 Duke Street, Suite 500
Alexandria VA 22314-3457
Phone: (703) 683-8080
FAX: (703) 683-8099
www.cswe.orgNational Association of Social Workers (NASW)
750 First Street NE, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20002-4241
Phone: (202)-408-8600
Toll Free: (800) 638-8799
www.naswdc.orgNebraska Chapter of National Association of Social Workers
PO Box 83732
Lincoln, NE 68501
Phone: (402) 477-7344
www.naswne.org
Brochures/Resource Guide
Number of Individuals per License/Certificate Types - As of March 1, 2002
| Master Social Workers | 672 (accounts for 672 of the MHP total) |
| Master Social Workers (do not hold a MHP license) | 11 |
| Provisional Master Social Workers | 118 |
Licensee Assistance Program
The Licensee Assistance Program (LAP) is an assessment, education, referral, case management, and monitoring service designed to help licensees, certificate holders, and registrants of the State of Nebraska work through substance abuse/addiction problems.
The LAP services are free. However, in some cases treatment from a community resource agency may be needed. If further assistance is needed, the LAP Coordinator will help refer the Licensee to the most appropriate agency. When a treatment referral is made, those expenses become the responsibility of the Licensee.
This program was established by
LAP telephone number: (800) 851-2336 or (402) 354-8055. You may also visit their website at www.lapne.org
Name and Address Change
To request an address change, you can contact Cindy Kelley at (402) 471-2117 or e-mail cindy.l.kelley@dhhs.ne.gov. If you wish to change your name on your Licensing & Regulatory Affairs record, you must mail a
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
Mental Health Practice
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986
Duplicates/Reissue
Duplicates: Licensing & Regulatory Affairs will issue a duplicate wall certificate or small certification card when more than one original is requested at the time of initial certification. If you are requesting a duplicate certificate, you must include an additional $10.00 per request, with your original certification application.
Reissue: Licensing & Regulatory Affairs will reissue a large certificate or small certification card when the certificate holder requests: additional documents; replacement of original document(s) due to loss, mutilation or destruction; or replacement of document(s) due to a name change.
If you wish to request a reissued certificate, you must submit a
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
Mental Health Practice
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986
Certifications/Verifications
To request either a certification or verification or your certificate, contact Cindy Kelley at (402) 471-2117.
Certification
Fee - $25.00 Certification includes:
- Name
- Profession
- Certificate number
- Issuance date
- Expiration date
- Whether the certificate was granted by examination, waiver, or reciprocity
- When requested, the grades acquired by the subject for issuance of a certificate
- Whether disciplinary action has been taken against the certificate. If so, the type(s) and date(s) of the action will be included.
- SEAL of the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
Verification
- Fee - $5.00
- Verification includes:
- Name
- Profession
- Certificate Number
- Expiration Date
- Department Staff Signature
A verification does not include the SEAL of the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services nor information relating to discipline, school, or examination.
This information can also be obtained by checking the website at: www.dhhs.ne.gov/lis/lisindex.htm
How do I file a complaint? To file a complaint, see the Investigations Division web site: www.dhhs.ne.gov/reg/investi.htm
What activities must be reported by a licensee, certificate holder, or registrant? Every credentialed person who has first-hand knowledge of unlicensed, illegal or unethical activities is required to report (includes self-reporting) within 30 days of the occurrence. Failure to report may result in discipline. To view additional information relating to mandatory reporting, click on the options below:
Mandatory Reporting Forms
reported)Mandatory Reporting shall not apply:
- to the spouse of the person,
- to a practitioner who is providing treatment to such person in a practitioner-patient relationship concerning information obtained or discovered in the course of treatment unless the treating practitioner determines that the condition of the person may be of a nature which constitutes a danger to the public health and safety by the person's continued practice, or
- when a credentialed person who is chemically impaired enters the Licensee Assistance Program authorized by section
How is a complaint reviewed, and what is the disciplinary process? The following provides information relating to the complaint, investigative, and disciplinary process.
- Investigations web site www.dhhs.ne.gov/reg/investi.htm
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Mental Health and Consumer Services
Professions and Occupations Page
