Maryland Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
AKA: Maryland LCSW License
What's Here? - Table of Contents
Maryland’s Licensed Certified Social Worker credential—commonly called the LCSW-C—is the state’s clinical social work license. Employers typically look for this credential when hiring clinicians for psychotherapy, behavioral health assessment, and other advanced treatment roles. MSW-prepared social workers often pursue the LCSW-C as the next step after gaining supervised clinical experience.
The Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners regulates social work licensure. In general, the pathway includes completing a qualifying MSW, finishing supervised post-degree clinical experience, passing the examination prescribed by the Board, and submitting an application through Maryland’s online licensing system.
Maryland law outlines the main requirements for clinical social work licensure in Md. Code, Health Occupations § 19-302, with detailed rules in the Maryland Administrative Code at COMAR 10.42.
Maryland’s clinical social work license requires a master’s degree in social work along with documented clinical coursework completed through an accredited social work program.
To qualify for the Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical credential, applicants must hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or from an equivalent organization approved by CSWE. This requirement is established in Md. Code, Health Occupations § 19-302.
Applicants must also complete 12 academic credits in clinical course work. At least 6 of those credits must be completed as part of the MSW degree program. When selecting electives during your graduate program, choose courses clearly focused on clinical practice so they can be documented easily during the licensing process.
Before enrolling—or before requesting transcripts if you have already graduated—confirm that your program holds CSWE accreditation or meets Maryland’s approved equivalent language. CSWE maintains an accreditation directory here: CSWE Accreditation.
Maryland requires applicants to pass an examination prescribed by the Board for the license being sought. This requirement appears in Md. Code, Health Occupations § 19-302.
The Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners uses the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination program. Applicants should follow the Board’s instructions for the appropriate exam associated with the clinical social work license and register through the ASWB testing system: https://www.aswb.org/exam/.
Most applicants schedule the exam after completing supervised clinical experience or when the Board confirms eligibility through the application process. Aligning exam timing with your application can help avoid delays.
Maryland requires supervised clinical experience after earning the MSW before granting the LCSW-C credential.
Applicants must complete at least 2 years of supervised experience totaling 3,000 hours. Within those hours, the law requires:
The experience must involve clinical functions such as assessment, diagnostic impressions, and psychotherapy under supervision. These requirements are established in Md. Code, Health Occupations § 19-302.
Maryland’s detailed supervision rules appear in COMAR 10.42.08.
After completing the education, supervision, and exam requirements, applicants submit their licensure application through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.
Start at the Board’s main website for official instructions and updates: https://health.maryland.gov/bswe.
Maryland processes new applications through the Board’s online licensing system: Maryland online application portal.
Maryland social work licenses must be renewed periodically, and renewal depends on completing continuing education during the renewal cycle.
Maryland regulations require 40 continuing education units during each renewal period. At least 3 CE units must focus on ethics or professional conduct, including boundary issues or Maryland standards of practice.
The requirement appears in COMAR 10.42.06.03.
Maryland social workers frequently work in regional job markets that include Washington, DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. These regional dynamics can affect employment and telehealth practice.
Many clinicians live in Maryland while working for organizations based in neighboring jurisdictions. Employers typically require the appropriate license for the state where services are delivered, so multi-state roles may involve additional licensing requirements.
With telehealth services, the client’s physical location during a session often determines which state license applies. Organizations commonly confirm client location at the start of each session to maintain licensing compliance.
Clinical roles are often concentrated in the Baltimore region and the Washington, DC suburbs, where large health systems and behavioral health programs operate. Smaller communities across Maryland may offer broader roles that combine therapy, crisis response, and case management.
Once major licensure requirements are complete, administrative details can still affect how smoothly the licensing process and job onboarding proceed.
Use the same legal name across transcripts, exam records, supervision documentation, and the application portal. If your name has changed, keep the relevant documentation ready in case the Board requests clarification.
Hospitals and behavioral health organizations often run separate credentialing checks before assigning clinical responsibilities. Even after licensure, employers may need additional time to verify credentials before assigning psychotherapy or independent practice duties.
Make sure resumes, professional listings, and marketing materials reflect the license you currently hold. Maryland regulations governing scope of practice for LCSW-C appear in COMAR 10.42.02.03.
Maryland’s clinical license is the Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical (LCSW-C). Licensing rules are administered by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.
You must earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program and complete required clinical coursework.
Applicants must complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least two years, including 1,500 hours of face-to-face client contact and 100 hours of supervision.
Applications are submitted through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners’ online system: Maryland licensing portal.
Yes. Maryland regulations authorize LCSW-C licensees to practice psychotherapy and provide clinical treatment services within their professional scope.
Renewal requires 40 continuing education units per renewal period, including at least 3 hours focused on ethics or professional conduct.
