Credentialing Board Membership & Responsibilities

How can one become a board member?
You can be appointed to a Professional Board by having your name submitted by an organization, by submitting it yourself, or by someone else nominating you. The Credentialing Division receives the nominations, forwards an application for appointment to you, and submits the applications to the Professional Boards Committee of the Board of Health. This Committee reviews the applications, interviews any applicant who appears, and recommends appointments to the full Board of Health which has final selection and appointment authority. This process applies to professional and consumer members alike.

What’s the difference between a professional and a consumer member?
All professional members must meet specific criteria such as being in active practice under a license for a period of five years. Also some boards, e.g., Medicine and Surgery, require that a licensee hold a specific position such as medical school faculty membership. Consumer members must be able to represent the consumer’s perspective. Both professional and consumer members have equal voting rights on Board issues and both can hold offices on the Board. Boards that administer practical examinations, expect professional members to serve as examiners.

What does a board do?
The purpose of a Professional Board is to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Nebraska by insuring that licensees, certificate holders, and registrants are meeting minimum standards of proficiency and competency, as well as to control their profession in the interest of consumer protection. Board members duties include, but are not limited to, administration of licensing examination, recommending the issuance or denial of licenses; changes in legislation and regulations; and complaint screening and making recommendations on disciplinary actions. A board member is expected to attend all board meetings, participate on any sub-committee to which appointed, be prepared for and provide input during meetings.

What about confidentiality and conflict of interest?
Board members are expected to make difficult decisions and to do so without bias. However, when situations arise that pose a conflict, board members are precluded by statute and regulations from participating in decision making. Board members serve as officials of the State of Nebraska with all the dignity and liability that goes with this responsibility. While board members are statutorily not liable for certain functions, it must be stressed that privileged information received by them must be kept strictly confidential.

Board members must distinguish their board member roles from that of other roles to ensure that their actions facilitate public health and safety.

Entitlements
The majority of board members are reimbursed ranging from $20 to $50 per diem (day) plus expenses (mileage, lodging, meals) for each day spent conducting board business. Some boards and commissions receive only expense reimbursements. Being a board member entails a commitment of personal time and, in some instances, funds.

If being a board member piques your interest contact the Credentialing Division in Lincoln, Nebraska, (402) 471-2115 and request an application for board appointment; or for further information ask to speak with the individual who works with the profession in which you are interested.

Boards and subcommittees
The following professions have Boards and Subcommittees that work with the Division:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
Alcohol and Drug Counseling
Athletic Training
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Chiropractic
Cosmetology
Dental & Dental Hygiene
Emergency Medical Services
Environmental Health Specialists
Funeral Directing & Embalming
Hearing Aid Instrument Dispensers and Fitters
Massage Therapy
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Medicine and Surgery
Mental Health Practice
Nursing
Nursing Home Administration
Occupational Therapy
Optometry
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Podiatry
Psychology
Respiratory Care Practice
Veterinary Medicine

Department of HHS Regulation and Licensure
Credentialing Division
301 Centennial Mall South, 3rd Floor
P.O. Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
Phone: (402) 471-2115
Fax: (402) 471-3577
E-Mail: joyce.novak@hhss.ne.gov

Credentialing and Licensure Page

Rules and Regulations Page

HHS System Home | Search the Site | Site Map

Nebraska Department of
Health and Human Services
P.O. Box 95044
Lincoln, NE 68509-5044
(402) 471-2306

Nebraska Department of
HHS Regulation and Licensure
P.O. Box 95007
Lincoln, NE 68509-5007
(402) 471-2133

Nebraska Department of
HHS Finance and Support
P.O. Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509-5026
(402) 471-3121

Questions about HHS System: system.information@hhss.ne.gov | Site Feedback: hhss_webmaster@hhss.ne.gov
Disclaimer Nebraska's Security, Privacy and Accessibility Policy