Maryland Department of Health
MD Board of Social Work Examiners

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Board of Social Work Examiners

Welcome to the website for the MD Board of Social Work Examiners

​The Health Occupations Title 19 Social Work Practice Act exists because the MD General Assembly finds that the profession of Social Work profoundly affects the lives, health, safety, and welfare of the people of this state. ​

Important Notice(s)

License ​Renewal 2025! Please click link to go directly to the Online Renewal Portal:

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Online Renewal Portal

This is our busy time of year!  As such, we experience a signifcant increase in phone calls and emails. When reaching out to the Board, please have patience and leave one phone or email message.  Multiple calls or emails will further delay response time and processing.  Your questions are important to us, and we will do our best to respond as soon as possible! 

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​​Are you looking to become a licensed Social Worker in Maryland? 

​​​​​Here is some general information to get started:

  • ​BSW and MSW official transcripts can be sent electronically to [email protected].  BSW and MSW programs must be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education - CSWE.  No other undergraduate or graduate degrees are eligible for Social Work licensure.
  • When in their last semester, BSW and MSW students can apply to take the Bachelors or Masters examination.  Just answer YES to being in last semester on the application.
  • Please read all instructions carefully.  Mail all required documentation in one envelope.   
  • Keep your online application # and passcode together.  All required items are mandatory unless otherwise indicated.  
  • The Board is mandated to process an application within 60 days once an application is complete. Omissions may result in delays or deficiencies for your application.
  • Get to know the social wor​k statute and regulations.  Click this link to reach the Statute and Regulation webpage.   Statutes & Regulations.   For regulations online, go to BSWE COMAR online
  • For more complete information:  Licensing Webpage​
  • The new application portal can be found here:  ​​New Li​cense Online Portal 

Additional Notices: 

February 2025:  the Board commissioned a survey to collect input from active licensees on the matters affecting the social work profession in Maryland.  This is the final report.​​​

January 31, 2024:  Email notice regarding 2024 renewals:  2024 BSWE Information  with information about:

  • New Anti-oppressive Social Work practice CE requirement
  • Criminal History Records Check
  • Implicit Bias one time attestation
  • Licensed Certified Social Worker
MD Responds

The Maryland Board of Social Work encourages you to become a member of MD Responds. Administered by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Office of Preparedness and Response (OPR), MD Responds is the primary resource for emergency public health and medical volunteers for the State of Maryland.

For more information, please visit the: MD Responds

To volunteer for the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps, please register using this link Register

Veterans Auto & Education Improvement Act of 2022 (PL 117-333)​

If an applicant does not have a Social Security Number

​Others

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​Co​ntact US​

Board of Social Work Examiners
4201 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: 410-764-4788
Fax: 410-358-2469
Toll Free: 1-877-526-2541
TDD: 1-800-542-4964
[email protected]

For Technical Assistance: ​[email protected]​​

Technical Support FAQs​