Social Work Licensure in Maryland
Maryland offers four social work licenses: the LBSW (bachelor’s level), LGSW (master’s entry-level), LCSW (advanced generalist), and LCSW-C (clinical). Each requires a CSWE-accredited degree, an ASWB exam, and a criminal background check. The LCSW-C is the only license that allows independent clinical practice and private practice in Maryland.
Choosing the right license path in Maryland depends on what kind of social work you want to do and how far you want to take it. A bachelor’s license gets you into the field. A clinical license opens the door to private practice and independent diagnosis. Everything in between is about building toward whichever of those two destinations fits your goals. If you’re also exploring Maryland counseling licensure requirements, that’s a separate credential path with its own board and requirements.
Maryland’s Board of Social Work Examiners oversees all licensing in the state. Licensure is required to use the title “social worker” and perform regulated duties, though some related roles may not require licensure. Every social worker practicing in a regulated capacity must hold a current license from the Board.
Here’s a breakdown of what each license requires and what it allows you to do.
Maryland Social Work License Overview
| License | Education Required | Supervised Hours | Scope of Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| LBSW | BSW from a CSWE-accredited program | None required upfront | Non-clinical generalist practice under supervision |
| LGSW | MSW from a CSWE-accredited program | None required upfront | Social work services under supervision are a stepping stone to LCSW |
| LCSW | MSW or DSW from a CSWE-accredited program + LGSW | 3,000 hours over 2 years | Independent non-clinical practice and clinical work under supervision |
| LCSW-C | MSW or DSW from a CSWE-accredited program + 12 clinical credits | 3,000 hours (1,500 clinical) over 2 years | Independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, private practice |
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
The LBSW is Maryland’s entry-level social work license. It lets you work with individuals, families, couples, and groups in a non-clinical capacity under supervision. That includes Maryland substance abuse counseling certification work, case management, and general social services, all under supervision. It won’t give you access to clinical diagnosis or independent practice, but it gets you working in the field with a bachelor’s degree.
To earn your LBSW in Maryland:
- Complete a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. Only BSW degrees from CSWE-accredited programs qualify.
- Submit an online application to the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. The application fee is $100, plus an additional $70 license fee once approved.
- Pass a criminal background check and provide three professional references.
- Pass the ASWB Bachelor’s Level Exam. The exam fee is $230, paid directly to ASWB.
- Renew every two years with 30 continuing education (CE) hours completed during the renewal period.
Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
The LGSW is the MSW-level entry license in Maryland. It opens up a broader range of settings and responsibilities than the LBSW, including hospitals, mental health agencies, schools, and government offices. You’ll work under supervision, but you can begin accumulating the hours you’ll need for clinical licensure from day one.
To earn your LGSW in Maryland:
- Complete a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited program.
- Submit an online application to the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. The application fee is $100, plus an additional $70 license fee once approved.
- Pass a criminal background check and provide three professional references.
- Pass the ASWB Master’s Level Exam. The exam fee is $230, paid directly to ASWB.
- Renew every two years with 40 CE hours completed during the renewal period.
If you’re planning to pursue an LCSW or LCSW-C, start tracking your supervised hours as soon as you receive your LGSW. The clock starts when your license is issued.
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW is an advanced generalist license. With it, you can practice non-clinical social work independently and provide clinical social work under supervision. It’s the required stepping stone to the LCSW-C, and it opens supervisory and administrative roles that aren’t available at the LGSW level.
To earn your LCSW in Maryland:
- Hold a current LGSW license.
- Complete an MSW or Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
- Before beginning your supervised hours, outline your supervision plan and create a contractual agreement with a board-approved supervisor. The Board provides the contractual agreement form.
- Accumulate 3,000 supervised social work hours as defined by the Maryland Board over at least 104 weeks (two years) in a professional setting.
- Submit your application to the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. The application fee is $100, plus an additional $70 license fee once approved.
- Pass the ASWB Advanced Generalist Level Exam. The exam fee is $260, paid directly to ASWB.
- Renew every 2 years, completing 40 CE hours during the renewal period.
Licensed Certified Social Worker – Clinical (LCSW-C)
The LCSW-C is Maryland’s highest social work license. It’s the only license in the state that authorizes independent clinical practice, including psychotherapy, DSM-based diagnosis, and private practice. LCSW-C holders can also serve as board-approved supervisors for LCSW and LGSW candidates working toward clinical licensure.
One thing worth knowing: in Maryland, “LCSW” does not mean clinical. The clinical designation here is specifically the LCSW-C. That’s different from many other states where LCSW is the clinical license. If you’re relocating from another state, don’t assume your license category maps directly.
To earn your LCSW-C in Maryland:
- Hold a current LGSW license and complete an MSW or DSW from a CSWE-accredited program, including at least 12 academic credit hours in clinical coursework.
- Establish a supervised experience plan by completing the contractual agreement form with a board-approved LCSW-C supervisor before you begin your hours.
- Accumulate 3,000 hours of supervised social work as defined by the Maryland Board over at least 104 weeks. Of those 3,000 hours, at least 1,500 must be direct face-to-face clinical contact with clients. At least 144 hours of periodic face-to-face supervision must be provided. Your work must include assessment, diagnostic impression, and psychotherapy, in accordance with the clinical provisions of the Maryland Board.
- Submit your application to the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. The application fee is $100, plus an additional $70 license fee once approved.
- Pass the ASWB Clinical Level Exam. The exam fee is $260, paid directly to ASWB.
- Renew every 2 years, completing 40 CE hours during the renewal period.
How Long Does It Take?
The path to licensure in Maryland ranges from about four years to a decade, depending on which license you’re pursuing and how quickly you move through each stage. An LBSW takes roughly four to five years: four years for your BSW plus a few months of application and exam processing. An LGSW adds two to three years on top of that for the MSW. If you already hold a BSW and qualify for an advanced-standing MSW program, you can cut that time significantly.
Reaching the LCSW-C from scratch typically takes six to ten years: four for undergrad, two for an MSW, then two or more years accumulating the 3,000 required supervised hours before you can sit for the clinical exam. Part-time graduate study adds time at every stage, as does the pace at which you’re able to accumulate supervised hours in your work setting.
Reciprocity and the Social Work Licensure Compact
Maryland’s Board of Social Work Examiners does not offer traditional reciprocity to social workers licensed in other states. Out-of-state applicants must submit their degree transcripts, ASWB exam scores, and proof of current licensure to the Board for review. LCSW-C applicants also need to document that their post-MSW supervised experience was completed under a licensed social worker, not a counselor, psychologist, or other discipline.
That said, Maryland has joined the Social Work Licensure Compact. Governor Moore signed the legislation on April 8, 2025, making Maryland one of more than 30 states to enact the compact. When fully implemented, it will allow licensed social workers to practice across member states without having to apply for a separate license in each. The compact is still in the implementation phase. Check the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners website for current status and timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an LCSW and an LCSW-C in Maryland?
In Maryland, the LCSW (Licensed Certified Social Worker) is an advanced generalist license that allows independent non-clinical practice and supervised clinical work. The LCSW-C (Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Clinical) is the clinical license, authorizing independent psychotherapy, DSM diagnosis, and private practice. This is different from most states where “LCSW” is the clinical credential, so don’t assume the labels carry over if you’ve trained elsewhere.
Do I need an LGSW before I can apply for an LCSW in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland requires you to hold a current LGSW before you can apply for the LCSW. Your supervised hours toward the LCSW must also be completed under the supervision of a board-approved LCSW or LCSW-C. You can start accumulating those hours as soon as your LGSW is issued.
Does Maryland offer reciprocity for social workers licensed in other states?
Maryland does not offer direct reciprocity. Out-of-state applicants apply through endorsement, submitting their degree transcripts, ASWB exam scores, and proof of licensure to the Board. Maryland has signed the Social Work Licensure Compact, which will eventually allow multistate practice once fully implemented, but that pathway is not yet active.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew my Maryland social work license?
It depends on your license level. LBSW holders must complete 30 CE hours every two years. LGSW, LCSW, and LCSW-C holders must complete 40 CE hours per renewal cycle. All licensees must include ethics and professional conduct in their CE requirements. Licenses expire every two years on October 31.
Can I apply for a Maryland social work license while still in my last semester of school?
Yes. The Maryland Board allows BSW and MSW students in their final semester to apply for the bachelor’s or master’s exam before graduation. You’ll indicate on the application that you’re in your last semester. Once you pass the exam and your degree is conferred, the Board can complete your licensure.
Key Takeaways
- Four license levels: Maryland’s social work licenses run from the LBSW (bachelor’s entry) through the LGSW (master’s entry), LCSW (advanced generalist), and LCSW-C (clinical). Each builds on the last.
- LCSW-C is the clinical license: In Maryland, “LCSW” is not clinical. Independent psychotherapy and private practice require the LCSW-C specifically.
- 3,000 supervised hours for clinical licensure: Both the LCSW and LCSW-C require 3,000 hours of supervised experience over at least two years, completed before you can apply for the exam.
- No reciprocity, but the Compact is coming: Maryland doesn’t offer traditional reciprocity, but it signed the Social Work Licensure Compact in 2025, which will allow multistate practice once implemented.
- Always verify with the Board: Licensing requirements can change. Before you begin accumulating hours or submitting your application, confirm current requirements at the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.
To explore accredited social work programs in Maryland and find options that match your license goals, use our state-by-state program guide.
Source: Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners, Maryland Department of Health.
