Licensure By Examination

To become a licensed social worker in Maryland an individual must pass the required examination administered through the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).

Examination Levels and Licensure Levels

Licensing Requirements by Examination or Endorsement

Licensed Social Worker Associate (LSWA) shall have:

obtained a BACCALAUREATE DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
 

Licensed Gradute Social Worker (LGSW) shall have:

obtained a MASTER’S OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
 

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) shall have:

obtained a MASTER’S OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. This license allows the practitioner the flexibility to work independently, bill insurance companies and operate a private practice. The LCPC has obtained LGPC credentials (see below), completed 3000 supervised clinical hours, and passed the state licensure exam for LCPC.
 

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) shall have:

obtained a MASTER’S OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The LGPC is a temporary license that serves as a stepping stone to the LCPC. A Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor is approved by the Board to practice graduate professional counseling for a limited period of time under the supervision of an approved supervisor while fulfilling the supervised clinical experience. The LGPC can be obtained by completing 60 credits of graduate coursework in counseling psychology. Once the required coursework is completed, they apply for licensure through the Board and take the National Counselor Exam (NCE). Once the 3000 clinical hours are complete, the LGPC can apply for the LCPC and sit for the state licensure exam.

Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) shall have:

• an active LGSW license if obtained experience in Maryland (an LGSW from another jurisdiction if required in that jurisdiction);
• obtained two years, consisting of not less than 104 weeks, of at least 3,000 hours of supervised social work experience;
• 144 hours of periodic face-to-face supervision in the practice of social work which is obtained under a *contractual agreement form for supervision;
  and
• social work supervision provided by a qualified, registered and Board approved supervisor who is licensed at the Licensed Certified Social Worker level or the Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical level. (NOTE: if SW experience and SW supervision was obtained in another jurisdiction then a contractual agreement for supervision and a Board approved supervisor are not required unless that jurisdiction had the requirements.)

 

Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical  (LCSW-C) shall have:

• an active LGSW license (NOTE: licensure at the Masters level if required in another jurisdiction);
• documentation of twelve academic credit hours clinical course work from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (6
  of the 12 academic credit hours may be obtained from a BSW program);
• 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;
• 144 hours of periodic direct face-to-face supervision while obtaining clinical social work experience which is obtained under a *contractual agreement form for supervision;
• supervision in the assessment, formulation of a diagnostic impression, and treatment of mental disorders and other conditions and the provision
  of psychotherapy; and
• social work supervision provided by a qualified, registered and Board approved supervisor who is licensed at the Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical level. (NOTE: if SW experience and SW supervision was obtained in another jurisdiction then a contractual agreement for supervision and a Board approved supervisor are not required unless that jurisdiction had the requirements.)

THE SOCIAL WORK EXPERIENCE OBTAINED IN MARYLAND FOR THE LCSW OR THE LCSW-C LICENSE MUST BE OBTAINED WHILE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A
QUALIFED, REGISTERED AND BOARD APPROVED SUPERVISOR. *THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT MUST BE INITIATED PRIOR TO STARTING SUPERVISION FOR
ADVANCED LICENSURE.

* Taken from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene web site – http://www.dhmh.md.gov/bswe/licensing_information.htm