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. In order to practice clinical social work in Maryland an individual must be licensed at the Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical level.

Licensure By Examination

An individual, who has not passed the national examination given through the Association of Social Work Boards needs to apply for licensure by examination. An individual, who has passed the national examination, but does not hold an active license from another jurisdiction must apply by examination and provide the Board with an Official Score Report from the Association of Social Work Boards.

A candidate for licensure, either by endorsement or examination, must submit the original documentation required by the Board for licensure. To obtain an application, please call the Board at 410-764-4788 or send an email to: smothersb@dhmh.state.md.us  or print a copy from the Forms Page.

Click on this link: Association of Social Work Boards to obtain additional information regarding social work licensing exams (FAQ, disability accommodations, study guides, exams sites etc)

Licensure, Educational And Examination Levels

The state statute stipulates that all persons wishing to obtain licensure in the state must complete college or university social work programs that have been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. For the Licensed Certified Social Worker and Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical levels an individual must have obtained social work experience under social work supervision.

Licensing Requirements

Associate Level (Licensed Social Worker Associate) LSWA

The Associate level requires a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from an accredited college or university whose program in social work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

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Graduate Level (Licensed Graduate Social Worker) LGSW

The Graduate level requires a Masters' of Social Work Degree from an accredited college or university whose program in social work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

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Certified Level (Licensed Certified Social Worker) LCSW 

Shall have

1. a LGSW LICENSE AND A MASTERS' OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE from an accredited college or university based on a graduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education;

2. Two years, consisting of not less than 104 weeks, of at least 3,000 hours of supervised social work experience;

3. 144 hours of periodic face-to-face supervision in the practice of social work which is obtained under a written contract** for supervision and accountable to the employer; and

4. a supervisor who is a licensed certified social worker-clinical or licensed certified social worker and accountable to the employer through an employment contract.

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Certified-Clinical Level (Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical) LCSW-C

Shall have

1. a LGSW LICENSE AND A MASTERS' OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE and documentation of clinical course work from an accredited college or university and based on a graduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education;

2. 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;

3. 144 hours of periodic direct face-to-face supervision while obtaining clinical social work experience which is obtained under a written contract** for supervision and accountable to the employer;

4. supervision in the assessment, formulation of a diagnostic impression, and treatment of mental disorders and other conditions and the provision of psychotherapy;

5. a supervisor who is a licensed certified social worker-clinical and accountable to the employer through an employment contract.

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The required Social Work experience obtained for either the LCSW or the LCSW-C license must be obtained while under the supervision of a qualified, registered and Board approved supervisor. For Supervision Forms click here.

Licensure Renewal

All licenses are active for two years and expire on October 31^st . Initial licenses are active from the original date of issuance to October 31^st two years later. Renewed licenses are active from November 1^st to October 31^st two years later. For a first time renewal the continuing education credit hours must 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 1^st to October 31^st two years later. The Board mails out notices to the address on file in August 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 1^st 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 is active from mid August to the end of December. 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.

A licensee must submit their renewal form, renewal fee and the continuing education credit report form to the Board by October 31^st. The 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 license is selected the license 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

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. (The application can be found in the Forms page). A license can remain on Inactive status for five years. At any time during the five year period an individual may request to Reactive their license. During the five-year period an individual will receive all Board mailings as long as the current 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 her or his license every two years and obtain the required number of continuing education credit hours.

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Reactivating A License

In order to Reactivate a license an individual must complete an Application for Reactivation ( The application can be found in the Forms page); submit the reactivation fee and CE Report Form with the documentation of having obtained 40 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 Due To Non-Renewal

A license can be Reinstated any time up to five years since the license expired. In order to Reinstate a license an individual must complete an Application for Reinstatement (The application can be found in the Forms page); submit the Reinstatement Fee and CE Report Form with the documentation of having obtained the required number of continuing education credit hours.  Depending on how long the license was non-renewed an individual may need to submit 40 or 80 continuing education credit hours. The credit hours can be earned in the two years preceding the date the license was non-renewed or at anytime during the five year period, after the licensed expired. After the five-year period an individual cannot reinstate his/her license but may apply for Re-licensure.

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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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