How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist in Nebraska 2025

Written by Sarah Keller, Last Updated: November 20, 2025

Outstanding opportunities to make a difference in the lives of children and adults with speech, language, and fluency disorders await in Nebraska. Whether you plan to work in schools alongside behavioral therapists to address communication issues stemming from autism or work with occupational therapists in rehabilitation to help elderly patients recover from a recent stroke, becoming a speech-language pathologist means making a meaningful impact in the lives of the individuals you serve.

Getting involved with the SLP community in Nebraska is an essential step as you pursue licensure. The Nebraska Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSLHA) offers scholarship opportunities for graduate students in SLP programs, continuing education credits for licensed practitioners, and the chance to connect with other professionals in the field. Through NSLHA conventions or workshops, you’ll learn about current issues such as somatosensory patterns and neuro-therapeutic change across the lifespan, how to treat school-age stuttering disorders, how to treat complex pulmonary patients, and regulatory updates on which services Medicaid covers.

Before you can practice as a speech-language pathologist in Nebraska, you’ll need to earn licensure through the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services Board of Audiology & Speech Language Pathology. Follow these steps to learn how:

Step 1: Complete a CAA-Accredited Graduate Program

You’ll need to graduate with a master’s or higher degree from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) to become a licensed SLP in Nebraska. This ensures your education meets national standards for clinical practice and prepares you for the licensing examination.

Nebraska is home to three CAA-accredited master’s programs in speech-language pathology. You may also choose from a variety of accredited online programs. While in-state programs may offer benefits such as scholarship opportunities from state-sponsored organizations, online programs provide greater flexibility and more options.

To be eligible for a graduate program, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree and a record of high academic performance. Most programs require:

• At least two letters of academic reference
• GRE scores
• Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
• Background in communicative sciences or related field

You’ll also be expected to have completed prerequisites such as the science of language, fundamentals of communicative disorders, and introduction to audiology. If you haven’t covered these introductory courses in your undergraduate program, you’ll need to complete these prerequisites (usually 14-18 credits) to be prepared for graduate-level coursework. Other common requirements include:

• Clinical and Diagnostic Procedures in SLP
• Articulation Disorders
• Phonological Disorders
• Aphasia Management and Treatment
• Neurological Foundations of Speech

Your core coursework will prepare you to assess, treat, and diagnose patients across the lifespan. You’ll study topics such as:

• Advanced Phonology
• Normal Language Development
• Research Methodology
• Language Disorders in Special Populations
• Voice Disorders
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Speech and Language Development of the Hearing Impaired
• Fluency Disorders

Electives allow you to specialize in areas that interest you. Common elective topics include:

• Linguistic Needs of Bilingual Students
• Special Topics in Human Sciences
• Counseling and Behavior Issues
• Clinical Decision Making
• Speech Perception and Processing
• Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)
• Cleft Palate Issues
• Right Hemisphere Dysfunction
• Dementia
• Aphasia in Adults

After completing core coursework, you’ll begin a practicum. During your practicum, you’ll first shadow a licensed SLP working in a clinic, and then start to complete supervised activities with patients. You’ll learn how to assess, diagnose, and treat speech and language disorders in real clinical settings, building the hands-on experience needed for your future career.

Step 2: Pass the Praxis Examination

You must pass the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology to qualify for licensure in Nebraska. This comprehensive examination is administered through Praxis and tests your knowledge of communicative sciences and disorders. You’ll register with Praxis and choose a date, time, and testing center that works with your schedule.

There are Praxis test centers located throughout Nebraska in:

• Chadron
• Columbus
• Kearney
• Lincoln
• Norfolk
• Omaha
• Scottsbluff
• York

The examination consists of 132 questions covering key topics within communicative sciences and disorders. Nebraska requires a passing score of 162 or higher for licensure. Content areas include:

• Foundations of Practice
• Screening Patients
• Approaches to Assessment and Evaluation
• Assessment Procedures
• Etiology and Characteristics of Disorders
• Treatment Planning and Evaluation

Praxis offers test preparation materials to help you prepare for the exam, including study guides and practice tests. Many students find these resources helpful for understanding the exam format and identifying areas that need additional study.

Step 3: Complete Clinical Fellowship Under Temporary License

Now you’ll enter into a transition period between your education and career, known as a clinical fellowship. This supervised professional experience must be 36 weeks of full-time work (defined as at least 35 hours per week). You may also complete a part-time program that consists of 15-19 hours per week for 72 weeks if you need more flexibility.

Before you begin your fellowship, you’ll need to apply for an Audiology/Speech Language Pathology Temporary Application. The application fee is $140. You must mail your completed application to:

DHHS Licensure Unit
Attention: Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology
P.O. Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4989

A supervising practitioner licensed through the Nebraska Board of Audiology & Speech Language Pathology must monitor all of your professional activities in the clinic. During this time, you’ll work directly with patients, provide consultations with patients and families, and assist with recordkeeping. You’ll manage treatment programs for patients, monitor and evaluate patient exercises, and participate in regular feedback sessions with your supervisor about your clinical performance.

Upon passing the Praxis exam and completing the required fellowship, you’re eligible to apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) through ASHA. While you won’t need it to be licensed in Nebraska by the Education Department, the CCC-SLP is required if you’re applying for licensure by Endorsement when transferring from another state. Many employers also prefer or require this national certification, so it adds credibility to your professional resume. You can apply for the CCC-SLP here.

Step 4: Apply for Full Professional Licensure

You must apply for your Audiology/Speech Language Pathology Initial Application upon completion of your fellowship. You can apply by Education if you don’t hold ASHA certification, or by Endorsement if you do.

You’ll need to provide the following materials with your application:

• Official graduate transcript showing degree completion
• Passing score on the national Praxis examination
• Proof of completion of a clinical fellowship
• Application fee payment

You’ll mail your completed application to:

DHHS Licensure Unit
Attention: Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology
P.O. Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4989

You can check the status of your application through the DHHS website after submission. Processing times vary, so apply well in advance of when you plan to begin independent practice.

Join the Clinic That Provided Your Fellowship Experience

You might consider joining the clinic that provided your required professional experience. This is often a good option because you’ll already have built relationships with the staff and patients. Your clinical fellowship supervisor can provide details about potential employment opportunities.

Consider Starting an Independent Practice

You might consider starting an independent practice in the state, or you may start a partnership with another SLP. If you want to work flexible hours, set your own schedule, or dedicate your career to a specific patient population, such as young people with autism, this may be the route for you.

Pursue Job Openings in Nebraska

You might begin your SLP career in schools, clinics, hospitals, or home health care settings. A few of the top employers of SLPs in the state include:

• Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital
• EDU Healthcare
• Key Rehab
• Dysphagia Management Systems
• CHI Health at Home
• Pediatric Therapy Center
• Children’s Respite Care Center
• Reliant Rehabilitation
• Select Specialty Hospital
• Physician’s Choice Home Health Care
• Global Teletherapy
• Physmed Home Health
• Aureus Medical Group

Step 5: Maintain Your License with Continuing Education

In Nebraska, you’ll need to renew your license by December 1 of even-numbered years upon the completion of 20 continuing education hours. You’ll receive a renewal notice at least a month before you’re required to renew, giving you time to ensure your CE requirements are complete.

You can renew online or mail a paper renewal form to the board if you prefer traditional mail submission.

According to the board, continuing education credits can be satisfied through:

• Academic coursework (one credit hour equals 15 contact hours)
• Conferences
• Workshops
• Seminars
• Presentations
• Independent study (maximum of 10 hours per renewal period)

You’ll need to submit certificates of completion, outlines of presentations, or transcripts to the board as documentation of your CE activities. Keep detailed records of all continuing education to ensure smooth renewal.

You might pursue continuing education through ASHA, the NSLHA, or local universities. Many online CE providers also offer convenient options for busy practicing clinicians.

Salary and Job Outlook for SLPs in Nebraska

Nebraska offers competitive salaries for speech-language pathologists, with compensation varying by experience level and geographic location. According to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the state employs 1,350 SLPs with strong earning potential across all experience levels.

Geographic location plays a significant role in compensation levels. The Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area has the state’s largest concentration of SLPs, with 670 professionals earning a mean annual salary of $80,590. Salary ranges in the metro area span from $54,180 at the entry level to $109,210 for experienced practitioners.

Smaller metropolitan areas and rural regions throughout Nebraska also offer competitive compensation. The Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area, for example, reports mean salaries of $91,320, demonstrating that opportunities exist throughout the state with strong earning potential.

Job Growth and Employment Outlook

According to the Nebraska Department of Labor, the number of SLP jobs in Nebraska is projected to grow by 10% between 2022 and 2032. The state should see approximately 140 SLP job openings annually over that period, combining new positions from growth with replacement needs due to retirements and career transitions. This consistent demand creates excellent career stability for licensed practitioners.

With 1,350 SLPs currently working throughout the state, employment is concentrated in these key areas:

• 53% (630 professionals) work in Omaha
• 15% (180 professionals) work in rural South Nebraska
• 14% (170 professionals) work in Lincoln

Advocacy for SLPs in Autism Treatment

The Nebraska Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSLHA) strongly advocates for the inclusion of speech-language pathologists in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders. The organization has noted a concerning trend in health care policy to rely solely on specialists in applied behavioral analysis (ABA) rather than including SLPs and other professionals in decisions affecting the evaluation and treatment of these students.

The NSLHA recommends that experts in speech-language pathology educate stakeholders about the importance of SLP treatment for students with autism. They encourage practitioners to contact decision makers ranging from the state level to school districts and health plans to ensure comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for children with ASD.

Frequently Asked Questions

2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Speech-Language Pathologists reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2025.

Sarah Keller

Sarah M. Keller, MS, CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist with 15 years of experience in pediatric clinics and university training programs. She earned her master’s in speech-language pathology from a CAHPS-accredited program in the Midwest and supervised clinical practicums for online and hybrid SLP cohorts. Sarah now advises students on graduate school applications, clinical fellowships, and state licensure. She lives in Colorado with her family and golden retriever.

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