How to Become a Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LBSW) in Maryland
The Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LBSW) is Maryland’s entry-level social work license for people who have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work and want to begin practicing in supervised settings. Many people pursue it for roles in community agencies, case management, and other services where employers expect a state credential.
The LBSW signals that the state has verified key qualifications—and it also defines what you can and can’t do. Maryland rules indicate an LBSW may not practice social work independently without board approval for independent practice, so work is generally performed under social work supervision rather than as an independent provider (COMAR 10.42.02.03).
Licensing is regulated by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. The process is straightforward:
- Earn the right education: a CSWE-accredited (or candidate) BSW or equivalent approved by CSWE, as described in statute (Md. Code, Health Occupations § 19-302).
- Pass the exam required by the Board: Maryland law requires successfully passing “an examination or examinations prescribed by the Board” pertinent to the license sought (same statute). Register through the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB exam).
- Apply for licensure: submit an application through the state’s online portal (details and documentation are covered later).
Educational Requirements for Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LBSW) in Maryland
Maryland’s LBSW license has one central education requirement: a bachelor’s degree in social work from a qualifying program.
Required degree level and major (BSW)
Maryland law requires an LBSW applicant to have received a baccalaureate degree in social work—a BSW (or an equivalent bachelor’s-level social work degree), not a bachelor’s degree in another field.
Accreditation language Maryland uses
State law also spells out the program standard. The BSW must come from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), a candidate for accreditation with CSWE, or an equivalent organization approved by CSWE (same statute). Details on accreditation and candidate status are available here: CSWE accreditation.
Education documentation to expect during application
The Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners typically looks for records that clearly show:
- The degree awarded (baccalaureate) and major/field (social work);
- The school and program identity, so the program can be matched to CSWE accreditation/candidacy status;
- Date of conferral, if required as part of verifying eligibility.
If the transcript or school record doesn’t clearly show that the program meets the statutory social work standard, the Board may need additional documentation from the school confirming the program’s accreditation/candidacy status at the time of graduation.
Examination Requirements for Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LBSW) in Maryland
Maryland includes an exam requirement for LBSW licensure. State law requires proof to the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners that the applicant “has successfully passed an examination or examinations prescribed by the Board pertinent to the license sought” (Md. Code, Health Occupations § 19-302).
Which exam is required?
For LBSW licensure, applicants must pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Bachelor’s examination. This exam is designed for candidates who have completed a Bachelor of Social Work program and are pursuing entry-level social work licensure.
Register through ASWB here: https://www.aswb.org/exam/.
Registration and timing (what to expect)
- Register through ASWB using the ASWB exam page above. ASWB manages exam registration logistics.
- Authorization comes through Maryland’s licensing process. Under § 19-302, the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners authorizes candidates to take the appropriate ASWB exam for the license sought.
- Schedule once eligibility steps are underway. Many people start the state application and then move to testing when permitted; Maryland’s online application portal is here: Maryland online application portal.
If an exam retake is needed
The core standard remains “successfully passed” the prescribed exam(s) under § 19-302. Retake rules, waiting periods, and related details follow ASWB policies and any additional direction from the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners (board site).
Supervision Requirements for Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LBSW) in Maryland
The official sources provided do not identify post-degree supervised experience as a requirement for Maryland LBSW licensure. Maryland’s LBSW route is based on meeting the statutory education and exam requirements, rather than completing a set number of supervised work hours before licensure (see Md. Code, Health Occupations § 19-302).
Where supervision still matters: practice boundaries after licensure
Supervision can still shape day-to-day practice even when it isn’t a pre-licensure requirement in the sources provided. Maryland regulations state that an LBSW may not practice social work independently unless approved by the Board for independent practice (COMAR 10.42.02.03). In practice, that calls for appropriate oversight and clear escalation pathways.
Application Process for Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LBSW) Licensure in Maryland
Complete Maryland’s LBSW application online through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners’ applicant portal. Enter details carefully and upload documents correctly the first time; delays often come from missing transcripts, name mismatches, or exam items that haven’t been completed.
Where to apply
Apply through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners online application portal. You can also find board information at health.maryland.gov/bswe.
What to gather before starting the portal application
- Proof of education (official transcript): The statute requires a baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited (or candidate) program (or equivalent approved by CSWE). Have an official transcript ready to send/upload, since processing often stalls without it. See Md. Code, Health Occupations § 19-302.
- Exam planning information: Licensure requires passing “an examination or examinations prescribed by the Board pertinent to the license sought” (§ 19-302). Register for the ASWB exam required by Maryland through ASWB.
- Identity and name consistency details: Keep the same legal name on your application, transcript, and exam registration. If your name has changed (marriage/divorce/court order), have documentation ready so records can be matched without extra back-and-forth.
- Any supporting documents requested by the portal: Based on your answers, the portal may request additional items. Prepare electronic copies in advance (clear scans, readable, and not password-protected).
How to avoid common, preventable delays
- Transcript timing problems: Request an official transcript early. If you recently graduated, confirm the degree has posted before ordering so the transcript shows the awarded degree.
- Mismatched personal information: Even small differences (middle initial vs. full middle name, hyphenated last names, nicknames) can slow matching between education and exam records.
- Uploading unreadable files: Blurry photos, cut-off pages, or multi-page documents uploaded as separate fragments often lead to follow-up requests. When possible, combine pages into a single PDF and label files clearly (for example: “LastName_FirstName_Transcript.pdf”).
- Applying before exam items are in motion: Because Maryland requires passing an exam prescribed by the Board (§ 19-302), delays can come up when exam-related steps aren’t finished or records can’t be matched to your application.
After submission: tracking and next steps
Save copies of everything you submit (PDFs and confirmation details) and watch your email for requests about missing or unclear documentation. After you’re licensed, handle renewals through the renewal/login portal.
Licensure Renewal Requirements for Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LBSW) in Maryland
Renewal is an ongoing responsibility: renew by the deadline, finish the required continuing education (CE) during the renewal period, and keep proof of completion in case the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners asks for it.
Renewal cycle and timing
Maryland renews social work licenses on a 2-year cycle. The continuing education requirement applies to each renewal period (a 24-month cycle). The governing CE rule and cycle language are in the Board’s continuing education requirements document (COMAR 10.42.06 CE Requirements (PDF)).
Continuing education (CE) required for LBSW renewal
An LBSW renewal for another 2-year period requires:
- 30 continuing education units completed within the renewal period; and
- At least 3 hours focused on ethics and professional conduct.
The Board’s CE rule summary states: “The Board shall renew a license for an additional 2-year period if the social worker… completes… (30 for Licensed Bachelor Social Workers) continuing education units within the renewal period… [including]… 3… focusing on ethics and professional conduct…” (COMAR 10.42.06 CE Requirements (PDF)).
Documentation to keep (and what to upload if requested)
Even if certificates aren’t required at the time you renew, keep clear records throughout the renewal period:
- Completion certificates (or other proof) showing course title, provider, date completed, and hours/units earned.
- An ethics record: clearly note which courses count toward the required ethics/professional conduct hours.
- A simple CE log: course name, date, category/type (if applicable), and hours—helpful if you’re audited or asked to clarify entries.
How to renew online (portal workflow)
- Log in to the renewal portal: use the Maryland online system at https://mdbnc.health.maryland.gov/bswe/logon.aspx.
- Work through the renewal application steps: follow the prompts to confirm identifying information and answer renewal questions.
- Attest to CE completion: be ready to confirm that the required CE (including ethics) was completed within the renewal period.
- Submit and save confirmation: download or screenshot the submission confirmation page and file it with your CE records.
Avoidable renewal problems
- Ethics hours missed: confirm that at least 3 hours during the cycle clearly cover ethics/professional conduct content.
- CE completed outside the renewal window: track course dates so they fall within the correct two-year period.
- Name mismatches on certificates: consistent name formatting helps if documentation is requested later.
- Portal access issues close to deadlines: update email/contact details early so password resets and notices go to the right inbox.
If you need details beyond CE totals (such as acceptable categories or audit procedures), start with the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners regulations page (https://health.maryland.gov/bswe/Pages/regulation.aspx).
Regional Issues
Maryland’s location creates two practical pressure points for LBSWs: cross-border employment (DC/Virginia/Pennsylvania/Delaware/West Virginia) and telehealth across state lines. Employers often recruit across the region, but practice authority still depends on where the client is located.
Cross-border jobs and “where the client sits” rules
- A DC- or Virginia-based employer doesn’t automatically make Maryland licensure sufficient. In the Baltimore–Washington corridor, HR teams often screen for the license tied to the client location and service site, not just the employer’s headquarters.
- Telehealth can trigger cross-border practice without you realizing it. If a client is physically outside Maryland when services are delivered, another jurisdiction’s license may be required—even if the LBSW is sitting in Maryland. When in doubt, keep scope conservative and align duties with Maryland’s LBSW scope limits (including the restriction on independent practice) in COMAR 10.42.02.03.
Compact adoption: helpful, but not a blanket pass
Maryland has adopted the Social Work Compact (noted by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners). Even with compact adoption, employers may still require a Maryland-issued license for Maryland-based roles and may set additional internal credentialing rules for specific settings (schools, hospitals, government contractors). For multi-state positions, expect HR to ask where clients will be served and which state(s) must recognize the credential.
Workforce patterns that affect entry-level hiring
- Competition in the Baltimore–Washington corridor: Large health systems, universities, and government-adjacent employers can be selective about job titles and may favor roles that stay clearly within LBSW scope (case management, care coordination, resource navigation) rather than duties that edge into independently practicing clinical work.
- Coverage needs in rural areas and the Eastern Shore: Roles may be broader and more generalist, but still need to fit within LBSW scope and the supervision structures required by the employer and Maryland rules.
Additional Considerations
Know what the LBSW license does (and does not) authorize
Some job postings blur the line between case management and independent clinical practice. In Maryland, independent practice is restricted at the LBSW level: “An LBSW may not engage in the practice of social work independent of social work supervision unless approved by the Board for independent practice.” That scope limit appears in COMAR 10.42.02.03. In practical terms, roles should include clear oversight and a defined chain of clinical responsibility when services go beyond basic resource coordination.
Keep a clean verification trail (it saves time later)
Licensing and employment checks usually depend on documents, not recollection. Keep one folder (digital + backed up) that includes:
- Official transcripts and degree conferral proof
- ASWB exam registration/score documents (as applicable)
- Name-change paperwork (if any) so records match across school, exam, and licensure systems
- Employer onboarding items that reference scope or supervision expectations
If something needs to be verified again, it’s typically fastest to provide the exact document version that was originally submitted.
Use the right source when rules change
If questions come up about what’s allowed or how a rule is worded, go to the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners’ regulations page instead of relying on third-party summaries. Maryland’s social work regulations are centralized here: https://health.maryland.gov/bswe/Pages/regulation.aspx.
Compact adoption: helpful, but not automatic portability
Maryland has adopted the Social Work Compact (noted by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners). Even so, multi-state work can still require careful role design and employer credentialing—especially when clients are physically located outside Maryland during services.
FAQs
- What degree do I need to become an LBSW in Maryland?
- Maryland law requires a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from a program accredited (or a candidate for accreditation) by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), or an equivalent organization approved by CSWE. The statutory requirement appears in Md. Code, Health Occupations § 19-302: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/…/19-302.
- Which ASWB exam do I take for the LBSW?
- Maryland requires passing “an examination or examinations prescribed by the Board pertinent to the license sought,” but the official sources cited here do not identify a specific ASWB exam level. Register through ASWB and follow the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners’ instructions for your license type: https://www.aswb.org/exam/.
- Do I need supervised experience hours to get an LBSW in Maryland?
- The official Maryland sources reviewed here do not list a separate post-degree supervised-experience hour requirement specifically for the LBSW credential. Supervision still affects what you can do at work, since independent practice is restricted at this level (see scope question below).
- Can an LBSW practice independently in Maryland?
- No. Maryland’s scope rule says an LBSW may not engage in the practice of social work independent of social work supervision unless the Board approves independent practice. See COMAR 10.42.02.03: https://regs.maryland.gov/us/md/exec/comar/10.42.02.03.
- Where do I apply for an LBSW license in Maryland?
- Submit your application through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners online portal. Starting early can help prevent delays caused by name mismatches across transcripts, exam records, and identity documents: https://mdbnc.health.maryland.gov/bswe/NewApplicant/default.aspx.
- How long does it take to get licensed?
- The sources cited here don’t publish a single statewide processing timeline. Avoidable delays most often come from missing items (such as official transcripts or exam results if required) and name mismatches (for example, a recent name change that isn’t reflected across school and testing records).
- What do I need to renew my LBSW license in Maryland?
- Renewal runs on a 2-year cycle and requires 30 continuing education units during the renewal period, including at least 3 units focused on ethics and professional conduct (Category I or II). This requirement is stated in Maryland’s continuing education regulations: https://health.maryland.gov/bswe/…ContinuingEducationRequirements.pdf.
- Does Maryland’s Social Work Compact adoption mean I can automatically work in other states?
- No—compact adoption can support portability, but it doesn’t automatically grant authority everywhere or replace employer credentialing rules. Multi-state work still typically depends on where the client is located during services and what each state allows for your license level.
Sources
