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 State Board of Social Work Examiners. To practice clinical social work in Maryland, an individual must be licensed at the Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical level.

Licensure By Examination

To become a licensed social worker in Maryland an individual must pass the required examination administered through the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). If you have or had an out-of-state social work license which was issued without taking the required examination then you will need to apply by examination.

Licensure By Endorsement

If you have or had a social work license in another state and became licensed by taking the examination listed below (not a state constructed test) 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.

Application for Endorsement Packet -- FOR LCSW or LCSW-C APPLICANTS WITH 5 YEARS OF SOCIAL WORK EXPERIENCE OUT OF THE PAST 10 YEARS. The packet includes a cover sheet, instructions, the application, verification form, professional reference form (please provide 3) and the employment certification form

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Examination Levels and Licensure Levels

Licensing Requirements by Examination or Endorsement

Social Worker Associate (LSWA) shall have:

obtained a BACCALAUREATE DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education

Gradute 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:

• an active LGSW license if obtained experience in Maryland (an LGSW from another jurisdiction if required in that jurisdiction);
• obtained two years, consisting of not less than 104 weeks, of at least 3,000 hours of supervised social work experience;
• 144 hours of periodic face-to-face supervision in the practice of social work which is obtained under a *contractual agreement form for supervision; and
• social work supervision provided by a qualified, registered and Board approved supervisor who is licensed at the Licensed Certified Social Worker level or the Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical level. (NOTE: if SW experience and SW supervision was obtained in another jurisdiction then a contractual agreement for supervision and a Board approved supervisor are not required unless that jurisdiction had the requirements.)

Certified Social Worker-Clinical  (LCSW-C) shall have:

• an active LGSW license (NOTE: licensure at the Masters level if required in another jurisdiction);
• documentation of twelve academic credit hours clinical course work from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (6 of the 12 academic credit hours may be obtained from a BSW program);
• 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 (1,500) of the required hours 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; and
• social work supervision provided by a qualified, registered and Board approved supervisor who is licensed at the Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical level. (NOTE: if SW experience and SW supervision was obtained in another jurisdiction then a contractual agreement for supervision and a Board approved supervisor are not required unless that jurisdiction had the requirements.)

THE SOCIAL WORK EXPERIENCE OBTAINED IN MARYLAND FOR THE LCSW OR THE LCSW-C LICENSE MUST BE OBTAINED WHILE 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.

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Documentation

All items on the application must be completed and the "Applicant's Affidavit" must be signed and dated. It does not need to be notarized.

** If experience & supevision obtained in MD since 07/01/2004

*** If in last semester see instructions

**** For out-of-state social work supervisors only

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 June prior to the expiration date. It is the licensee’s responsibility to keep her or his address current with the Board. If a licensee has not received his/her notice by September 1st, it is the licensee’s responsibility to renew or to contact the Board in order to obtain a renewal form. The Board provides Online Renewal capability to its licensees. The online renewal system will be active from late June  to the midnight on October 31^st. 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 31^st. 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.

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Requesting Inactive Status

An INACTIVE license is considered to be an "expired" license which was placed on inactive status.

A licensee can 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 $25.00. A license can remain on Inactive Status for five years. At any time during the five year period an individual may request to Reactivate his /her 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.

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 his/her license every two years and obtain the required number of continuing education credit hours.

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Reactivating An Inactive License

In order to Reactivate a 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.

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Reinstating a Non-Renewed License

In order to Reinstate a 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.

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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.

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