Licensing
Social Work Licensure in Maryland
In order to practice social work in Maryland or to refer to oneself as a social worker, an individual must be licensed by the Maryland>Board of Social Work Examiners. To practice clinical social work in Maryland, an individual must be licensed as a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical level.
There are two ways to apply for licensure 1) by examination and 2) by endorsement.
There are four license types in Maryland:
- LBSW- Licensed Bachelor Social Worker – BSW
- LGSW- Licensed Graduate Social Worker – MSW
- LCSW- Licensed Certified Social Worker – MSW/LGSW
- *plus at least 2 years of SW experience under the supervision of a LCSW or LCSW-C
- LCSW-C– Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical - MSW/LGSW
- *plus at least 2 years of clinical SW experience under the supervision of a LCSW-C
How can I “expedite” my application?
A. Know the requirements for licensure; B) Select the correct application; and READ READ READ and follow the instructions carefully.
There are 5 different applications for INITIAL licensure:
Documentation
All sections of the application must be completed and the "Applicant's Affidavit" must be signed and dated. It does not need to be notarized.
All documentation must be original on the forms currently in used by the Board and submitted as a complete application packet.
Licensure By Examination
If an applicant has not passed the required licensing examination, then the applicant must apply for licensure by examination. The application is submitted to the Board for approval to sit for the required examination.
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) - BSW – Bachelors Exam
Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) – MSW – Masters Exam
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) – MSW – Advanced Generalist Exam
Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical – MSW – Clinical Exam
Licensure By Endorsement
If you have or had a social work license in another state and became licensed by taking the required examination then apply by endorsement. Apply for the level which is comparable to the license you hold or held based on the level of examination you passed and Maryland’s licensing requirements.
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) - BSW – Bachelors Exam
Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) – MSW – Masters Exam
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) – MSW – Advanced Generalist Exam
Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical – MSW – Clinical Exam
Licensure By Endorsement
After practicing social work at an advanced (advanced generalist or clinical) licensure level for at least 5 years out of the past 10 years
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) – MSW – an examination for licensure
Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical – MSW – an examination for licensure
(applicant with at least 5 years of advanced social work practice out of the past 10 years and passed a licensing exam: ACSW, State Constructed or ASWB)
Licensing Requirements
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) shall have:
- obtained a BACCALAUREATE DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) shall have:
- obtained a MASTER’S OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Certified Social Worker (LCSW) shall have:
- obtained at least two years, consisting of not less than 104 weeks, of at least 3,000 hours of supervised social work experience;
- 100 hours of periodic face-to-face supervision in the practice of social work which is obtained under a *contractual agreement form for supervision; and
Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) shall have:
- Obtained at least two years, consisting of not less than 104 weeks, of at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work experience in direct service to clients. Half of the 3,000 hours, 1,500hours, shall consist of face-to-face client contact;
- 144 hours of periodic direct face-to-face supervision while obtaining clinical social work experience which is obtained under a *contractual agreement form for supervision;
- supervision in the assessment, formulation of a diagnostic impression, and treatment of mental disorders and other conditions and the provision of psychotherapy
- documentation of twelve academic credit hours in clinical course work from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
THE SOCIAL WORK EXPERIENCE OBTAINED IN MARYLAND FOR THE LCSW OR THE LCSW-C LICENSE MUST BE OBTAINED POST THE ISSUANCE OF THE LGSW LICENSE AND UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A QUALIFED, REGISTERED AND BOARD APPROVED SUPERVISOR. *THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT MUST BE INITIATED PRIOR TO STARTING SUPERVISION FOR ADVANCED LICENSURE
* The
Written Contract must be initiated prior to starting supervision for advanced licensure.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The Board will not accept any social work experience obtained in Maryland for advanced licensure which was obtained prior to an LGSW and/or when the social work supervisor was not Board approved.
Continued Approval to sit for a Licensing Examination
The initial approval to sit for a licensing examination is valid for two years. If after two years the applicant has not taken or passed the examination, she/he must apply for "Continued Approval."
Licensure Renewal
All licenses are active for two years and expire on October 31st. Initial licenses are active from the original date of issuance to October 31st two years later. Renewed licenses are active from November 1st to October 31st two years later. For a first time renewal the continuing education credit hours may be earned from the original date of licensure to the expiration date. For subsequent renewals the continuing education credit hours must be earned from November 1st to October 31st two years later. The Board mails out notices to the address on file in July prior to the expiration date. It is the licensee’s responsibility to keep her or his address current with the Board. The Board provides Online Renewal. The online renewal system will be active from July 1st to October 31st. Licensees can renew a license and pay the renewal fee either by credit card or by sending a check with the receipt generated from completing the online renewal application.
Licensees must renew their license on or before October 31st. A licensee is not required to submit the certificates received from the continuing education programs at the time of renewal. However, the Board will conduct a random audit of the renewed licenses and, if a licensee is selected, the licensee will be required to submit the necessary documentation. A licensee should keep his/her continuing education documentation for at least one year beyond the expiration date
Requesting Inactive Status
A licensee can only place an active license on inactive status. Please note that a licensee may not practice social work in Maryland while the license is on inactive status. In order to request inactive status, a licensee must complete an Application for Inactive Status and submit the application with the fee of $15.00. A license can remain on Inactive Status for five years. At any time during the five year period an individual may request to Reactivate her/his license. During the five-year period an individual will receive all Board mailings as long as a current mailing and/or email address is maintained with the Board. After the five-year period an individual cannot reactivate a license, but may apply for Re-licensure.
Please Note: A licensee may maintain an active license while not actively practicing social work. In order to maintain an active license a social worker must renew her/his license every two years and obtain the required number of continuing education credit hours
Reactivating An Inactive License Within 5 years of the expiration date
In order to Reactivate a INACTIVE license, an individual must complete an Application for Reactivation; submit the reactivation processing fee and the CE Report Form with the documentation of having obtained the required continuing education credit hours. The credit hours must be earned in the two years preceding the application for reactivation.
Reinstating a Non-Renewed License Within 5 years of the expiration date
In order to Reinstate a NON-RENEWED license, an individual must complete an Application for Reinstatement; submit the reinstatement processing fee and the CE Report Form with the documentation of having obtained the required continuing education credit hours. The credit hours must be earned in the two years preceding the application for reactivation
Re-licensure Application After 5 years of expiration date
After 5 years from the expiration date, an individual must apply for re-licensure. The current licensing requirements must be met.
Requests for Verification of a Maryland License and / or Record Retrieval
If you need your Maryland license verified and/or a supervisor's license verified there is a $20 license verification fee for EACH verification.
If you need your Maryland application for licensure sent to another State Board, there is a $30 record retrieval fee. If the Maryland Board does not have the application on file, it will generate a letter confirming the licensing requirements at the time your license was issued.
Reinstating a License After Revocation or Suspension
An individual whose license was revoked or suspended due to disciplinary action must write to the Board requesting reinstatement. The Board will review the request for reinstatement and if granted provide the individual with information regarding reinstatement.