Nebraska

Nebraska credentials one type of addiction counselor. A Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor requires, at minimum, a high school diploma, 270 hours of relevant education courses and 6,000 hours of experience. A higher-level degree can substitute the number of hours (i.e. a person with a bachelor’s degree needs 4,000 hours). Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-314 and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

A licensed professional counselor provides assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within the context of professional counseling theory and practice of individuals, couples, families or groups. Counselors may assist individuals or groups through the counseling relationship to develop understanding, define goals, plan action and change behavior with the goal of reflecting interests, abilities, aptitudes and needs as they are related to personal and social concerns, educational progress and occupations. Diagnostic ability is not outlined in statute. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2118

As of August 2018, seven NPs in Nebraska have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. Consistent with their prescriptive authority and with proper training or appropriate experience an NP in independent practice can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products. An NP who is practicing under a transition-to-practice agreement may be able to receive a federal waiver with proper training or experience and as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2315 and Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2322

As of August 2018, 9 PAs in Nebraska have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. A PA in Nebraska may prescribe controlled substances as delegated by a supervising physician. With proper training or appropriate experience a PA in Nebraska can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2055

The certification standards and procedures for peer support and wellness specialists are developed and administered by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. The standards include requirements for training, examination and continued education.

Nebraska does not have laws or regulations around POLST. Please see the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website for more information on advance directives.

To practice as a nurse practitioner, an individual who holds or has held a license as a nurse practitioner in Nebraska or in another state shall submit to the Division of Public Health of the Department of Health and Human Services a transition-to-practice agreement or evidence of completion of 2,000 hours of practice as a nurse practitioner that have been completed under a transition-to-practice agreement, under a collaborative agreement, under an integrated practice agreement, through independent practice, or under any combination of such agreements and practice. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2322

An NP may prescribe medications that fall within the NP’s scope of practice. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2315

NPs are not explicitly recognized in state policy as primary care providers.

Optometrists may only perform procedures related to foreign body removal and the examination, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2605(1)

Optometrists may administer an epinephrine autoinjector for treatment of anaphylaxis. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2604

Optometrists may prescribe Schedules III-V controlled substance. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2604(2)

The Department of Health may authorize an unsupervised dental hygienist to provide services in a public health setting or a health care or related facility without a collaborative agreement. The dental hygienists must meet experience requirements and have professional liability insurance. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-1130

Statute does not identify dental therapists as an oral health provider.

Nebraska does not explicitly allow for the practice of teledentistry.

Nebraska has not enacted legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the federal PREP Act does allow pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine through the duration of the public health emergency.

Nebraska does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

Nebraska does not allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

Nebraska does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.

Supervision requirements are outlined in regulations. An agreement must be made between the PA and the supervising physician that includes the scope of practice of the PA and the physician will retain legal responsibility for medical services provided by the PA. Supervision must be continuous but does not require the physical presence of the physician at all times. Neb. Admin. Code §172-90-006.01

A PA may prescribe drugs, devices and controlled substances as delegated by the supervising physician. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2055

A PA may perform medical services delegated by the supervising physician and appropriate to the PA’s level of competence. The scope of practice is determined between the PA and the physician. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2055