How to Become a Psychologist in Nebraska

Written by Dr. Julian Navarro, PhD, LCSW, Last Updated: October 10, 2025

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Nebraska Psychologist Licensing: Step-by-Step Overview

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services oversees psychologist licensing through its Board of Psychology. The state takes these requirements seriously because Nebraskans trust psychologists with their mental health and well-being. You can't use the title "psychologist" in Nebraska until you've met all requirements and received your license.

The path to licensure follows four main stages:

Education: Complete a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) from an APA-accredited program in professional psychology
Supervised Experience: Accumulate 2 years (4,000 hours) of supervised professional practice
Examinations: Pass the national EPPP exam and Nebraska's Board Developed Examination
Application: Submit your licensure application with all required documentation to Nebraska DHHS

From the time you earn your bachelor's degree, expect the entire process to take 8-10 years. This includes 4-7 years for your doctoral program, 1-2 years for supervised experience (depending on whether you complete an APA-accredited internship), and several months for examination and application processing.

There's one important exception: school psychologists can follow a different pathway. If you're specifically interested in working as a school psychologist in Nebraska's K-12 education system, you can qualify with a bachelor's degree plus completion of an approved internship and additional state requirements.

Education Requirements for Psychologist Licensing in Nebraska

Nebraska law requires a doctoral degree from a graduate program in professional psychology that meets American Psychological Association accreditation standards. This is the foundation of your career as a psychologist, and the state won't accept anything less than a properly accredited doctoral program.

Your doctoral program must focus on professional psychology practice. This means programs in related fields like counseling, education, or social work don't qualify, even if they award a PhD. The curriculum needs to cover clinical training, research methods, psychological assessment, intervention techniques, and professional ethics.

Most doctoral programs take 4-7 years to complete. The timeline varies based on whether you choose a PhD or PsyD program, whether you attend full-time or part-time, and how long your dissertation or doctoral project takes. Many programs include required internships and practicum experiences as part of the degree requirements.

PhD vs PsyD: Understanding Your Options

Both the PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) qualify you for licensure in Nebraska, but they take different approaches to training psychologists.

Factor	PhD in Psychology	PsyD in Psychology
Primary Focus	Research and academia with clinical training	Clinical practice and applied psychology
Typical Duration	5-7 years	4-6 years
Dissertation	Original research study required	Doctoral project or clinical dissertation
Funding	Often includes teaching or research assistantships	Typically self-funded through loans
Career Path	Flexible (practice, research, or academia)	Primarily clinical practice settings

The PhD is the traditional degree for psychologists and emphasizes research skills alongside clinical training. If you're interested in university teaching, conducting research, or want maximum career flexibility, a PhD might be your best choice. These programs often provide funding through teaching or research assistantships, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

The PsyD is a newer degree (created in the 1970s) that focuses more heavily on clinical practice. If you know you want to work directly with clients and aren't as interested in research or academia, a PsyD program might be a better fit. However, you'll likely need to fund your education through loans or personal resources since these programs rarely offer the same funding opportunities as PhD programs.

Finding APA-Accredited Programs

Accreditation matters tremendously. Nebraska requires graduation from an APA-accredited program, and this accreditation ensures your education meets national standards for professional psychology training. Don't assume a program is accredited just because the university itself has regional accreditation.

Nebraska has limited in-state options for doctoral psychology programs. You'll likely need to consider programs in nearby states like Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, or Colorado. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers psychology graduate programs, and you should verify their current APA accreditation status and specialization offerings.

When researching programs, check the APA's Commission on Accreditation website for the official list of accredited programs. Look at each program's specialty areas, faculty research interests, clinical training opportunities, and internship placement rates. Strong programs will openly share their licensure exam pass rates and job placement statistics. Learn more about psychology degree programs in Nebraska to compare your educational options.

Some students wonder about online doctoral programs. While online education has expanded in psychology, accredited online PsyD programs are less common, and you'll still need substantial in-person clinical training. Any program you consider must meet APA accreditation standards regardless of delivery format.

Supervised Professional Experience Requirements

After completing your doctoral degree, Nebraska requires 2 years of supervised professional experience before you can apply for licensure. This translates to approximately 4,000 hours of supervised practice in professional psychology settings.

Here's an important shortcut: if you complete an APA-accredited predoctoral internship (which most quality doctoral programs require), that internship counts as one of your two required years. This means you'd only need one additional year of post-doctoral supervision after earning your degree. Without an accredited internship, you'll need the full 2 years of post-doctoral supervision.

Your post-doctoral supervised experience must occur after you've received your doctoral degree. The work must be in professional psychology under supervision by a licensed psychologist in Nebraska. This isn't just about logging hours—it's about developing your clinical judgment, refining your assessment and intervention skills, and learning to handle complex cases under expert guidance.

Nebraska has specific requirements for supervisors. Your supervisor must:

Hold a current Nebraska psychology license
Have at least one year of post-licensure experience
Provide regular supervision sessions (typically 1-2 hours per week)
Monitor your case documentation and clinical decision-making
Evaluate your progress toward independent practice

Finding a quality supervisor is one of the most important decisions you'll make during this stage. Look for someone whose clinical interests align with yours, who has a reputation for training new psychologists effectively, and who can provide diverse clinical experiences. Many psychologists find supervisors through their internship sites, professional networking at state psychology conferences, or recommendations from their doctoral program faculty.

Document everything carefully. Nebraska requires detailed records of your supervised hours, including dates, duration, activities performed, and supervisor signatures. Use a systematic tracking system from day one—trying to recreate this documentation later creates unnecessary stress and potential complications with your license application.

Examinations for Nebraska Psychologist Licensure

Nebraska requires two separate examinations before granting a psychology license. You'll need to pass both the national EPPP exam and Nebraska's own Board Developed Examination.

Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)

The EPPP is a standardized national exam administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Every state uses this exam, which means your EPPP score transfers if you later seek licensure in another state.

The exam contains 225 multiple-choice questions covering eight content areas: biological bases of behavior, cognitive-affective bases of behavior, social and cultural bases of behavior, growth and lifespan development, assessment and diagnosis, treatment and intervention, research methods, and ethical/legal issues. You'll have 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete the exam.

Nebraska requires a scaled score of 500 to pass (on a scale of 200-800). Most candidates take several months to prepare, using study guides, practice exams, and review courses. The ASPPB offers official study materials, and many doctoral programs provide EPPP preparation workshops. Don't underestimate this exam—it's comprehensive and challenging, even for well-prepared candidates.

The exam costs approximately $687 (fees may change, so check current ASPPB pricing). You can take it at Pearson VUE testing centers, which have locations throughout Nebraska and nationwide. Results typically arrive within a few weeks of your test date.

Nebraska Board Developed Examination

After passing the EPPP, you'll face Nebraska's own licensing examination, which has two parts: a written section and an oral section.

The written portion contains 106 multiple-choice questions covering Nebraska-specific topics: state psychology ethics, Nebraska regulations governing psychology practice, HIPAA requirements, research ethics, school psychology issues, and state laws affecting psychologists. This is an open-book examination, which means you can reference materials during the test. Use the Nebraska Mental Health Practice Act and state regulations as your primary study resources.

The oral portion consists of 5 questions selected from the written exam. The Board administers this section, and you can use your written examination and answer sheet as references during the oral discussion. The Board wants to see that you understand the material deeply enough to discuss it, not just that you can select correct multiple-choice answers.

These examinations test your knowledge of practicing psychology specifically in Nebraska's regulatory environment. Pay special attention to state-specific requirements that differ from national standards, and make sure you understand how Nebraska's laws apply to real-world practice scenarios.

Applying for Your Nebraska Psychology License

Once you've completed your education, supervised experience, and examinations, you're ready to apply for licensure through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

The application process involves several steps:

Complete the application form available on the Nebraska DHHS website
Submit official transcripts from your doctoral program showing degree completion
Provide verification of supervised experience with detailed hour logs and supervisor documentation
Submit your EPPP score report directly from ASPPB
Provide proof of passing the Board Developed Examination
Include required fees (check current fee schedule on DHHS website)
Submit to background check and provide any required fingerprints
Wait for Board review of your complete application

The Board typically reviews applications at their regular meetings, which occur several times per year. Processing time varies, but expect 2-4 months from submission to receiving your license decision. Make sure your application is complete—missing documentation causes delays.

Your initial license is valid for two years. Nebraska requires continuing education to maintain your license. You'll need to complete 50 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period, including at least 4 hours in professional ethics. Keep careful records of all continuing education activities, certificates, and completion dates.

The Nebraska Board of Psychology website provides detailed application instructions, current forms, and fee schedules. Their office can also answer specific questions about your situation if you have unique circumstances like international education or prior licenses in other states.

Psychologist Career Outlook in Nebraska

Nebraska offers a solid job market for licensed psychologists, with competitive salaries and steady demand for mental health services. The state's growing awareness of mental health needs creates opportunities across clinical, educational, and organizational settings.

Nationally, psychologist employment is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth reflects increasing recognition of the link between mental health and overall wellness, expanding insurance coverage for mental health services, and growing demand in schools and healthcare facilities.

Salary varies significantly based on your specialty area, practice setting, and experience level. Here's what psychologists earned nationally in 2024:

Psychology Specialty	Median Annual Wage	10th Percentile	90th Percentile
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	$106,850	$46,070	$157,330
School Psychologists	$93,610	$41,790	Data varies by region
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists	$134,400	$52,810	$200,000+
All Psychologists (Overall Median)	$94,310	$54,860	$157,330

In Nebraska specifically, psychologists work in diverse settings including hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, universities, private practices, government agencies, and consulting firms. The Omaha and Lincoln metropolitan areas offer the most opportunities, but rural areas often have critical shortages of mental health providers, sometimes making it easier to establish a practice outside major cities.

Your earning potential increases with experience, specialized certifications, and reputation in your community. Psychologists who develop expertise in high-demand areas like neuropsychology, forensic psychology, or child and adolescent psychology often command higher fees. Those who combine clinical practice with teaching, consulting, or expert witness work can also increase their income substantially. If you're interested in learning about specific specializations and career options, explore different psychologist career paths to find the right fit for your interests and goals.

Private practice offers the highest income ceiling but comes with business management responsibilities and less stable income, especially when you're first starting out. Hospital and clinic positions typically provide more predictable salaries plus benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, Industrial-Organizational Psychologists, School Psychologists, Psychologists-All Other; Psychiatric Techs; Psychiatrists; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health and Mental Health Counselors; Marriage & Family Therapists; and Social Workers are based on state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed October 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Psychologist in Nebraska

How long does it take to become a licensed psychologist in Nebraska?

The complete timeline is typically 8-10 years from when you start your bachelor's degree. This includes 4 years for a bachelor's degree, 4-7 years for a doctoral program, and 1-2 years of supervised post-doctoral experience. The timeline varies based on whether you attend full-time or part-time and whether you complete an APA-accredited internship during your doctoral program.

Can I practice psychology in Nebraska with a master's degree?

No, you can't practice as a licensed psychologist with only a master's degree in Nebraska. The state requires a doctoral degree for psychologist licensure. However, you can work in related mental health fields with a master's degree, such as becoming a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (counselor), Licensed Professional Counselor, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker. These are different professions with their own licensing requirements.

What's the difference between a psychologist and a counselor in Nebraska?

Psychologists hold doctoral degrees and are trained in psychological testing, assessment, diagnosis, and research in addition to therapy. Counselors typically hold master's degrees and focus primarily on counseling and therapy services. Both can provide mental health treatment, but psychologists have more extensive training in psychological assessment and testing. The licensing requirements, scope of practice, and regulatory boards differ between these professions.

Do I need to attend a Nebraska university to get licensed in the state?

No, you don't need to attend a Nebraska university. You can attend any doctoral program in psychology that's accredited by the American Psychological Association, regardless of where it's located. Many Nebraska psychologists earn their degrees from programs in other states. What matters is APA accreditation and meeting Nebraska's specific supervised experience and examination requirements.

How much does the EPPP exam cost?

The EPPP exam costs approximately $687, though this fee can change. You'll pay this fee directly to the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) when you register for the exam. This fee covers the exam itself but doesn't include study materials, preparation courses, or travel to the testing center. Budget additional funds for exam preparation resources if you choose to use them.

Can I get licensed in Nebraska if I'm already licensed in another state?

Yes, Nebraska offers licensure by endorsement for psychologists who hold active licenses in other jurisdictions. You'll still need to meet Nebraska's specific requirements, which may include taking the Nebraska Board Developed Examination even if you're already licensed elsewhere. The Board evaluates each application individually, comparing your current credentials to Nebraska's standards. Contact the Nebraska Board of Psychology directly to discuss your specific situation and what additional requirements you might need to fulfill.

What continuing education is required to maintain my Nebraska license?

Nebraska requires 50 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. At least 4 of these hours must focus on professional ethics. The Board accepts continuing education from various sources including workshops, conferences, online courses, and academic coursework. You're responsible for maintaining records of all continuing education activities including certificates of completion, dates, and hour documentation.

How much do psychologists make in Nebraska compared to the national average?

Nebraska psychologist salaries are generally competitive with national averages, though they tend to be slightly lower than in high-cost-of-living states like California or New York. The national median for all psychologists is $94,310 annually. Clinical and counseling psychologists nationally earn a median of $106,850, while school psychologists earn around $93,610. Your actual salary depends heavily on your specialty, practice setting, experience level, and whether you work in urban or rural areas.

Are there any scholarships or funding for psychology doctoral programs?

Many PhD programs offer funding through teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or fellowships that cover tuition and provide a stipend. PsyD programs less commonly offer full funding but may have partial scholarships or assistantships available. Check with individual programs about their funding packages. Also explore external funding sources like the American Psychological Association's minority fellowships, National Science Foundation graduate research fellowships, and university-specific scholarships.

What specializations are most in-demand in Nebraska?

Child and adolescent psychology, school psychology, and clinical psychologists with expertise in substance abuse treatment are consistently in high demand in Nebraska. The state also has growing needs for psychologists who work with older adults (geropsychology), rural mental health specialists, and providers who offer telehealth services. Industrial-organizational psychologists who work with businesses and organizations also find good opportunities, particularly in the Omaha metropolitan area.

Key Takeaways

Nebraska requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) from an APA-accredited psychology program for psychologist licensure
You'll need 2 years (4,000 hours) of supervised professional experience, though an APA-accredited internship can count as one of those years
Two examinations are required: the national EPPP exam and Nebraska's Board Developed Examination with written and oral components
The complete path from bachelor's degree to licensure typically takes 8-10 years
Psychologists in Nebraska earn competitive salaries, with the national median at $94,310 and clinical psychologists earning $106,850 annually
Job growth for psychologists is projected at 6% through 2034, faster than average for all occupations
Continuing education (50 hours every 2 years including 4 hours of ethics) is required to maintain licensure

Ready to Start Your Psychology Career in Nebraska?

The path to becoming a licensed psychologist requires dedication, but it opens doors to a meaningful career helping others. Whether you're just starting your undergraduate education or you're ready to apply for doctoral programs, taking the first step is crucial.

Explore accredited psychology programs that can set you on the path to Nebraska licensure. Connect with programs that align with your career goals and offer the specialization training you're seeking.