Maryland Department of Health
MD Board of Social Work Examiners

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​FAQ's & Assistance

If you need assistance and would like to email your inquiry or would like to speak to staff, click here.
 
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Renewal

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​Lin​k to ONLINE​ RE​NEWAL 

2025 RENEWAL PORTAL IS OPEN!

Renewal Instructions


​Before proceeding with your renewal: please ensure you have the following items available:

  • Reliable internet access (home, office, or library).
  • Your social work license and social security number.
  • Your continuing education certificates.
  • A printer or access to cloud based storage​ to save copies of your completed application and receipt.

If your name has changed since your last renewal:  Please submit legal documentation via this link:  Name Change

Recording your CEU courses:  Take care to designate the Continuing Education units separately under their respective headings:

  • Ethics: Ethics Category I or Ethics Category II
  • Supervision: Supervision Category I or Supervision Category II
  • Anti-Oppressive: Anti-Oppressive Category I

Criminal History Records Check (CHRC):  It is a mandated requirement for all licensees to complete a Criminal History Background Check at the time of a new license application or at RENEWAL. There are two important parts of this mandate:

  1. CHRC Instructions: please follow the guidance via this link if you have not had a background check and need to get fingerprinted Criminal History Records Check
  2. Online Renewal Application Attestation:  at the end of the renewal application, acknowledge your agreement to participate in the “Rap Back Service" as defined in [10.42.01.02(B)(9)] (see below), in accordance with the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) and the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS).

​Rap Back:  What is this?

COMAR 10.42.02 B (17): "Rap (Record of Arrests and Prosecutions) Back service" means a service which allows the Board to receive notifications from the Federal Bureau of Investigation on applicants and licensees who may have future criminal charges thus eliminating the need for repeated background checks on the same applicant or licensee.  

In plain language: this authorizes the Board to receive any notice of future criminal charges. Therefore, you do not need to go back for repeated fingerprinting, as we will be notified of any changes in your criminal history.

By acknowledging Rap Back, you do NOT need to be fingerprinted at each license renewal as you have already authorized the Board to receive any future notification of criminal charges

If you wish to opt out of Rap Back, please send an email to: [email protected] with the subject line: RAP BACK OPT OUT.

       If you opt out of the Rap Back Service, you will have to get fingerprinted at EVERY renewal cycle


Steps to Renew Online

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​Click "ONLINE RENEWAL" and log in.

  1. Select your licensure category:

    • LBSW-Bachelor

    • LMSW-Master

    • LCSW-Certified

    • LCSWC-Certified-Clinical

  2. Enter your 5-digit license number (without "A" or "G") and the last four digits of your social security number. Click "LOGON."

  3. Update your personal information as needed.

  4. Complete Part I: Personal Information (include Worker's Compensation details IF you employ individuals).

  5. Answer all questions in Part II.

  6. For Part III: Continuing Education Units, provide course details and select the appropriate categories.

  7. Ensure you have at least 20 Category I units (15 for LBSWs), including 3 units in Anti-Oppressive Social Work practice (Category I).  You will need 3 units in Ethics (Category I or II).   If you are an LMSW, LCSW or LCSW-C, you must have a total of 40 units.  LBSWs need 30 units. 

    • Reminder: Board Approved Supervisors need 3 units in Supervision (Category I or II).

  8. Certify the accuracy of your application before selecting a payment method.

  9. Review and submit your application by clicking "AFFIRM AND MAKE PAYMENT."  ​Once payment is submitted, the application can not be changed. 

  10. For credit card payments, select Visa, MasterCard, or Discover (American Express not accepted). Click once to confirm payment. Payment is processed within 1-2 business days.

  11. Print and keep a copy of your renewal application and payment receipt.​


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