Maryland Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in MD
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Written by James M. Tobin | Edited by Victoria Hudgeons
Updated July 2024
Maryland has three main levels of social work licensure. Each level has different requirements and scope of practice standards. To choose the right educational path, you need to know which license type you will need and how to get one. This guide to social work licensing in Maryland explains all the essential details.
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Maryland Social Work Licensing Requirements
The Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners oversees social work licensing in Maryland. Under state guidelines, you need at least a bachelor’s social work for an entry-level license. Upper licensing levels require at least a master’s degree in social work.
Maryland’s three main social work licensing levels include licensed bachelor social worker (LBSW), licensed master social worker (LMSW), and licensed certified social worker-clinical (LCSW-C).
The subsections below explain the specific requirements you must meet to obtain each of these licenses. You can also learn about the state’s legacy licensed certified social worker (LCSW) designation, which became unavailable to first-time license-seekers in 2024.
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker
LBSWs provide non-clinical, generalist social work services, mainly through public agencies and nonprofit organizations. According to scope of practice guidelines, LBSWs may not operate a private practice, offer psychotherapy services, or diagnose behavioral or emotional disorders.
As an LBSW, you may work independently within this scope of practice if you apply for and receive official approval to do so from the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.
Maryland licensure requirements for LBSW include:
- CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB bachelors exam
To obtain approval to engage in independent practice, an LBSW must provide:
- Documentation of at least three years of post-licensure experience, including at least 4,500 hours of post-degree supervised experience and 150 hours of face-to-face supervision
Licensed Master Social Worker
LMSWs have a broader scope of practice. Under the supervision of an LCSW-C, they can diagnose and treat behavioral and emotional disorders. They can also provide psychotherapy services under LCSW-C supervision.
Like LBSWs, LMSWs cannot work independently without formal Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners authorization. LMSWs are also prohibited from operating their own private practices.
Maryland licensure requirements for LMSW include:
- CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work
To obtain approval to engage in independent practice, an LMSW must provide:
- Documentation of at least three years of post-licensure experience, including at least 4,500 hours of post-degree supervised experience and 150 hours of face-to-face supervision
Licensed Certified Social Worker
As of January 1, 2024, Maryland no longer issues LCSW licenses. Individuals interested in advanced licensure can pursue the LCSW-C detailed in the following section. Maryland social workers already licensed as LCSWs can continue to maintain and renew their licenses.
Licensed Certified Social Worker – Clinical
At the LCSW-C level, you can perform any job function available to LBSWs and LMSWs. You can also:
- Supervise LMSWs and LBSWs as they carry out work duties
- Provide one-on-one psychotherapy
- Assess, diagnose, and treat behavioral, emotional, and mental health disorders
- Authorize petitions for emergency mental or physical health evaluations
LCSW-C license-holders are allowed to operate their own private practices.
Maryland licensure requirements for LCSW-C include:
- CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work
- Documentation of at least 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience, including at least 100 hours of face-to-face supervision and 1,500 hours of client contact
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Maryland
The Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners does not maintain any active license reciprocity agreements with other states. If you hold an active and valid social work license from another state, you must apply by endorsement for social work licensing in Maryland.
Additional requirements apply to candidates seeking LCSW-C licensure in Maryland by endorsement. In this case, you must have at least 1,000 annual hours of paid social work experience in at least five of the 10 years immediately preceding your application date.
Maryland accepts out-of-state ASWB exam scores. If you passed the ASWB exam in another state, you do not need to retake the examination in Maryland.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Maryland
Social work licensing in Maryland operates on two-year renewal schedules. The Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners will set a specific renewal date upon issuing your license. You will receive a mailed renewal notice at least one month in advance.
To qualify for renewal, you must continue to meet all requirements for initial licensure at your level. You must also submit a renewal application, pay a fee, and meet applicable continuing education (CE) requirements.
LBSWs seeking license renewal must complete at least 30 CE units per two-year licensing period. LMSWs and LCSW-Cs need 40 CE units per two-year cycle. All license-holders must complete at least three CE units of ethics education per cycle.
For further information, refer to this CE resource from the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.
BSW Programs Available in Maryland
- Bowie State University — Bowie (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $6,113 per year in state, $16,833 per year out of state
- Coppin State University — Baltimore (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $5,032 per year in state, $11,955 per year out of state
- Frostburg State University — Frostburg (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $7,254 per year in state, $16,858-$22,848 per year out of state<
- Hood College — Frederick (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $46,700 per year
- McDaniel College — Westminster (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $51,106 per year
- Morgan State University — Baltimore (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $260 per credit hour in state, $654 per credit hour out of state
- Salisbury University — Salisbury, Wye Mills, Hagerstown, California, North East (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Weekends/Evening
- 2024 Tuition: $7,860 per year in state, $18,950 per year out of state
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County — Baltimore, Rockville (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $13,257 per year in state, $31,225 per year out of state
MSW Programs Available in Maryland
- Morgan State University — Baltimore (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions; Children, Youth, and Families; ;School Social Work; Aging and Gerontological Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $9,819 per year in state (on campus), $17,559 per year out of state (on campus), $12,006 per year (online)
- Salisbury University — Salisbury, Wye Mills, Hagerstown, California, North East (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Weekends/Evening
- 2024 Tuition: $436 per credit hour in state (on campus), $525-$790 per credit hours regional and out of state (on campus), $805 per credit hour (online)
- University of Maryland, Baltimore — Baltimore, Rockville (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $676 per credit hour in state, $1,307 per credit hour out of state
Maryland Social Worker Career and Salary Information
Licensed social workers in Maryland enjoy relatively strong earning potential. Average wages for child, family, and school social workers in Maryland are 21.4% higher than the national average. Earnings for professionals in Maryland’s “social workers, all other” category beat the national average by almost 8%.
Healthcare social workers and mental health and substance use social workers in Maryland earn salaries that are competitive with national averages in each category.
Maryland’s social worker job outlook also looks strong. Projections Central lists the following growth projections for social workers in Maryland from 2022-32:
Mental health and substance abuse social workers: +14%Healthcare social workers: +11.9%Social workers, all other: +10.6%Child, family, and school social workers: +9.8%The table below summarizes salary data for various social work careers in Maryland using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $71,870 | $34.55 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $65,030 | $31.26 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $74,120 | $35.63 |
Social Work Associations in Maryland
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Maryland Chapter: The NASW provides advocacy, job listings, information about educational paths and continuing education, and other resources for social workers.
- Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work (GWSCSW): The GWSCSW provides education, advocacy, and a community for the development of clinical social workers in the Washington, D.C. area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in Maryland?
Maryland social work licensing standards recognize three professional levels: licensed bachelor social worker (LBSW), licensed master social worker (LMSW), and licensed certified social worker-clinical (LCSW-C). In 2024, Maryland ceased issuing new licensed certified social worker (LCSW) licenses. Emerging professionals can instead pursue an LMSW or LCSW-C license.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in Maryland?
You must earn the social work degree required for the license level you are seeking and pass the associated ASWB examination. LBSWs need at least a bachelor’s degree, while LMSWs and LCSW-Cs require at least a master’s degree. For LCSW-C licensure, you also need at least 3,000 hours of supervised work experience.
How much do social workers in Maryland make?
On average, social workers in Maryland earn salaries in the range of $60,200-$74,120. Your exact earning potential will vary depending on specialization, work setting, and location within Maryland.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Maryland?
For an entry-level license as an LBSW, you will likely need to spend at least four years earning the necessary credentials. Obtaining Maryland’s highest social work license (LCSW-C) requires at least 7-8 years or more.
