How to Get Your Maryland Social Work License: Official Requirements
Maryland’s social work field projects a promising 10-14% job growth from 2022-2032, which makes understanding the state’s license requirements crucial. Your path to becoming a licensed social worker in Maryland might take 4-9 years, depending on your career goals.
Your educational background and chosen license type shape your licensing path. To name just one example, a BSW graduate can qualify as a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) in about four years. A Master’s in Social Work (MSW) becomes necessary if you aim for clinical licensure or an LMSW. The continuing education requirements also vary by license level – LBSWs must complete 30 hours each renewal period, while LMSWs and LCSW-Cs need 40 hours. Maryland’s board of social workers sets different renewal fees that range from $100 for LBSWs to $301 for LCSW-Cs.
This piece covers all essential aspects of becoming a licensed social worker in Maryland. You’ll find detailed information about education requirements, examinations, supervised experience and application procedures.
Education Requirements
A solid educational foundation paves the way to becoming a licensed social worker in Maryland. The Maryland board of social workers requires all social work programs to be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) for licensure. The state won’t accept any other undergraduate or graduate degrees for social work licensure.
Maryland provides multiple paths to meet social worker license requirements based on your career goals:
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW)
Getting an LBSW credential and entry-level positions requires completion of a BSW program from a CSWE-accredited institution. Eight accredited BSW programs exist across Maryland. These programs typically need:
- Four years of full-time study
- 120 semester credits
- 400 hours minimum of field education in community settings
BSW students can take the bachelor’s examination in their final semester by marking “yes” to last semester status on their application.
Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and clinical positions (LCSW-C) require an MSW degree. Maryland has three CSWE-accredited MSW programs, and two of them offer online options. Program features include:
- Two years minimum to complete (BSW holders with advanced standing finish faster)
- 30 semester credits to start
- 900 hours minimum of required field education
MSW students can take the master’s examination during their final semester by confirming their enrollment status. The University of Maryland School of Social Work’s program meets all Maryland’s professional licensing educational requirements.
Doctoral Options
Doctoral programs represent social work education’s highest level, though they’re not required for licensure:
- Doctor of Social Work (DSW) – Focuses more on clinical practice
- Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (PhD) – Emphasizes research
Timeframes for Completion
Your chosen path determines the length of your educational journey. Maryland social worker qualification times include:
- 4 years for BSW and LBSW licensure
- 6-7 years total for MSW and LMSW licensure (4 years BSW + 2-3 years MSW)
- BSW holders with advanced standing might complete their MSW in half the standard time
CSWE-Accredited Schools in Maryland
Maryland institutions offering CSWE-accredited social work programs include:
- University of Maryland (Baltimore) – MSW program
- Morgan State University – BSW and MSW programs
- Salisbury University
- Bowie State University
- Frostburg State University
- Hood College
- Coppin State University
Educational Requirements by License Type
Each license level needs specific educational qualifications:
- LBSW: BSW from a CSWE-accredited program
- LMSW: MSW from a CSWE-accredited program
- LCSW: MSW or doctorate in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- LCSW-C: MSW or doctorate, plus 12 academic credit hours in clinical coursework from a CSWE-accredited social work program
Students looking to practice in other states should check individual licensing requirements. The Association of Social Work Boards website lists licensure requirements for different states.
New applicants must check their program’s accreditation status on the CSWE website before applying. They need to send official transcripts electronically to bswe.licensing@maryland.gov during the application process.
Exam Requirements
Getting your Maryland social work license depends on passing the right exam. The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) runs these standardized tests to check your knowledge and readiness for professional practice.
Timing Your Exam Application
Maryland stands out from other states. You can apply for the exam while you’re still in school. BSW and MSW students can take their respective licensing exams when they reach their final semester of study. This gives you a jump start on getting licensed. Just mark “yes” for final semester status on your online application.
Application Process
Here’s how to start your exam process:
- Submit your application through the New License Online Portal on the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners website
- Provide three professional recommendations as part of your application
- Keep your online application number and passcode together for future reference
- Once approved by the board, register with ASWB for your exam
- Schedule your exam date and location through Pearson VUE testing centers
Exam Types by License Level
Your license level decides which exam you’ll take:
- LBSW: Bachelor’s-level ASWB exam
- LMSW: Master’s-level ASWB exam
- LCSW/LCSW-C: Clinical-level ASWB exam
You’ll need to submit a new application to the Maryland board of social workers to take the clinical exam after finishing your supervised experience requirements.
Documentation Requirements
Complete applications help avoid delays in processing. Send all your documents together in one envelope and follow the instructions step by step. The board must process complete applications within 60 days by law.
You’ll need these documents:
- Official transcripts sent electronically
- Three professional references
- Supervision verification (for clinical licensure)
- Application fees
Understanding the Examination
Your social work license exam results will work in every state, whatever state you take it in. This means your exam scores stay valid if you want to practice in different states, though other license requirements might change by state.
Preparing for Success
Before your exam day:
- Get familiar with Maryland’s social work license requirements
- Learn the social work statute and regulations
- Think about exam prep resources from schools and professional groups
- Make a study plan leading up to test day
Understanding these steps will help you direct your path to becoming a licensed social worker in Maryland quickly. This applies whether you’re starting your education or getting ready for your licensing exam.
Supervised Experience
Your clinical development under Maryland’s social work license requirements depends on supervised experience. You must meet specific supervised practice requirements after completing your education and original examination to advance toward full clinical licensure in Maryland.
The Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners requires you to complete and submit a Contractual Agreement before you start counting supervised hours. This mandatory step establishes your formal supervisory relationship.
Clinical social worker (LCSW-C) candidates need to fulfill these supervised experience requirements:
- A minimum of 3,000 total hours of supervised social work experience in a professional setting
- At least 1,500 hours must consist of face-to-face clinical practice with clients
- Completion of 144 hours of periodic face-to-face supervision
- Experience must span at least 104 weeks (two years)
Quality supervision matters just as much as quantity. LCSW-C candidates must work under an LCSW-C professional’s supervision. The board won’t accept supervision hours from all but one of these professionals: counselors, psychologists, or other non-social work professionals.
Your board-approved supervisor must meet these qualifications:
- Complete 18 months of active social work experience after getting an LCSW or LCSW-C license
- Register with the board as an approved supervisor
- Complete ongoing education in supervision (3 continuing education units per renewal cycle)
Supervisees must get at least 3 hours of face-to-face supervision monthly or 1 hour of supervision for every 40 hours worked. Both parties must keep detailed records of all supervisory sessions for at least 5 years. These records should include dates, duration, and focus areas.
The relationship with your supervisor goes beyond tracking hours. Your supervisor will provide written evaluations every six months and ensure you practice within your scope of licensure. They’ll help you develop skills to recognize behavior patterns, maintain client confidentiality, set appropriate boundaries, build cultural competence, and assess risks.
Documentation becomes vital after completing your supervised experience. You’ll need to submit supervision verification forms that detail your supervised work experience. Remember not to count overlapping weeks of experience twice when documenting your hours.
This two-year supervised experience phase is a great way to get professional growth under experienced practitioners’ guidance.
Application Process
Maryland now handles all social work license applications online, except renewals. You must prepare to work with their digital system because the Maryland board of social workers doesn’t accept paper applications, money orders, or checks anymore.
The licensing process starts at the Board of Social Work Examiners website through their online portal. You’ll need to pay a $100.00 application fee by credit card when you begin. The board knows this process can make people nervous, so they try to update applicants about their status within two weeks after they get all documents.
Your complete application package needs these key components:
- Application form submitted through the online system
- Supervision verification forms (for clinical licenses)
- Contractual agreement forms for supervision (mandatory for experience obtained in Maryland)
- Summary sheets documenting your experience
- Professional resume
- Official MSW transcript showing degree conferral date
- Three professional recommendations
The Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) through the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services is a vital part of Maryland social work license requirements. You need a new background check specifically for licensing, even if you already have one for your job. These records stay confidential and serve only for license decisions.
The board reviews CHRC results based on several factors, especially:
- Age at which any crime was committed
- Circumstances surrounding the crime
- Time elapsed since occurrence
- Subsequent work history
- Employment references
- Evidence regarding public health/safety risk
While the Board can legally take up to 60 days to respond about application status, they usually process complete applications faster. You should plan your career moves with this timeline in mind.
Military-connected applicants get special treatment under the Veterans Full Employment Act. Service members, veterans with honorable discharge in the last year, and their spouses might qualify for temporary licenses that last six months. This fast-track option needs proof of your service connection and Maryland residency.
The board will send notifications to your email address once they approve your application. Make sure your email address stays current and board messages don’t end up in spam folders to track your license progress effectively.
Continuing Education
You need to complete ongoing professional development through continuing education to retain control of your Maryland social work license. The Maryland board of social workers sets specific continuing education units (CEUs) based on your license type.
LBSWs must complete 30 hours every two years to renew their license. LMSWs, LCSWs, and LCSW-Cs need 40 hours during each renewal period. Category I activities must make up at least 20 of these hours (15 for LBSWs). Category II activities can fill the remaining hours.
Social workers must include these special topic areas in their total CEU count:
- Ethics Education: 3 hours in ethics and professional conduct (Category I or II)
- Anti-Oppressive Practice: 3 hours of Category I content focusing on race, culture, or equity, including topics such as cultural humility, social justice, racial equity, implicit bias, or anti-racism practices
- Supervision Training: Board-approved supervisors must complete 3 hours focusing on supervision (Category I or II)
Board-authorized sponsors provide Category I activities through well-laid-out, formal programs. These include courses at accredited institutions, workshops, seminars, and conferences. Students can earn 5 continuing education units for each academic credit when taken for credit, or 3 units if audited.
Category II activities are more flexible and include peer case conferences, journal clubs, presenting educational programs, authoring professional publications, teaching courses, and online learning.
The 2-year renewal period runs from November 1 through October 31. Keep in mind that hours don’t carry over to the next renewal cycle. The board might audit social workers to verify they meet these standards.
Approved sponsors must provide all continuing education programs. These include Board-authorized sponsors, ASWB providers, NASW, and GWSCSW. Their programs are a great way to get professional competence and boost professional skills and knowledge.
Additional Information
Social workers relocating to Maryland need to understand the state’s specific licensure procedures. The Maryland board of social workers doesn’t offer reciprocity but provides licensure by endorsement to qualified out-of-state practitioners.
You’ll need an equivalent social work license earned through examination to get your Maryland license through endorsement. Your experience level determines the process:
- Less than 5 years experience: Apply online with a $100 fee and complete the “Endorsement For Less Than 5 Years” checklist
- 5+ years experience within the last decade: Submit application with $100 fee and fulfill the “Endorsement For Greater Than 5 Years” checklist
Maryland’s recent joining of the multistate Social Work Licensure Compact signals positive changes ahead. This development will make multistate practice possible once implemented.
Your license can remain inactive up to five years from its expiration date if you need a break. The reactivation process requires:
- Reactivation application
- Applicable fee
- Continuing education report form
- Documentation of required CEUs (40 for most licenses, 30 for LBSWs)
It’s worth mentioning that you must earn these CEU hours within two years before submitting your reactivation application.
The National Association of Social Workers-Maryland Chapter and the Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work are great ways to get networking, advocacy, and educational resources.
The board’s website should be your go-to source for the most current Maryland social work license requirements since regulations can change.