Marriage and family therapist certification changes advance

Lawmakers gave first-round approval March 22 to a bill that would change Nebraska’s supervision requirement for attaining certification as a marriage and family therapist.

As introduced, LB1148 would specify that the current 3,000 hours of supervised experience include:
• 1,500 hours of direct client contact during the five years preceding application for certification;
• at least 100 hours of supervisor-supervisee contact hours with a qualified supervisor; and
• supervision provided at least one hour per week or two hours every two weeks.

This bill also would amend the definition of qualified supervisor.

Grand Island Sen. Mike Gloor, sponsor of the bill, said the measure is aimed at addressing a shortage of marriage and family therapists in Nebraska.

Following adoption of a technical Health and Human Services Committee amendment on a 34-0 vote, senators advance the bill to select file 33-0.