Maryland
Your Step-by-Step Path to Licensure and Beyond
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
How to become a social worker
Step 1: Complete a CSWE-accredited Social Work program
Step 2: Apply for the LMSW exam and Pass with Confidence!
- Contact the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners to get approval to register for the Masters Level Exam (LMSW) exam
- Fill out the state application
- Provide 3 professional recommendations
- Once you receive approval, contact the ASWB to register for the exam and
- Then, contact Pearson VUE to select your test location and date
- Now, study and pass with TDC’s LMSW Exam Prep: ASWB Masters Level Exam
Step 3: Accrue Hours to become a Maryland LCSW-C!
- Before you accrue hours, complete and submit a Contractual Agreement with the state of Maryland
- Prospective clinical social workers (LCSW-C) must have an LCSW-C as a supervisor.
- Then, provide proof to the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners of 2 years of experience consisting of at least 104 weeks of not less than 3,000 hours of supervised social work in a professional setting.
- Of these hours, 1,500 hours shall consist of face-to-face clinical practice, including tasks such as forming diagnostic impressions and applying psychotherapy
- Must obtain 144 hours of periodic face-to-face supervision
Step 4: Apply for the Clinical Licensing Exam, Schedule, Study and Pass!
- Apply for eligibility for the exam with the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners, by filling out the application here. This includes:
- 3 professional references
- Supervision verification
- $100 application fee
- Once accepted, contact the ASWB to register for the Clinical Level exam, and Pearson VUE to select your location and date/time
- Finally, utilize TDC’s LCSW Clinical Exam program to pass with confidence!
Continuing Education Requirements
Pre-licensure - Social workers in MD have the same CE requirements as Licensed Social workers.
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
- Total Hours Required: LCSW 40 hours, LBSW 30 hours
- Must include:
- 3 hours Ethics (Category I or II format allowed)
- 3 hours Category I in either:
- Cultural Humility
- Social Justice
- Racial Equity
- Implicit bias or Anti-racism
- 3 hours Supervision (Category I or II format allowed)
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)
How to become a Marriage & Family Therapist
Step 1: Complete a CSWE-accredited Social Work program
- Master’s in MFT or related field from COAMFTE- or Board-approved school
Step 2: Accrue Supervised Clinical Experience
- A minimum of 2,000 hours of experience
- 1,000 hours of which must be face-to-face client contact.
- 100 hours must be face-to-face supervision hours
- A maximum of 50 hours may be group supervision.
Step 3: Pass Required Exam
- Apply to take the AMFTRB National MFT Exam
- Exam fee $365
- Sign up for TDC’s NMFT exam prep course and study with confidence!
Step 4: Apply for LMFT Licensure
- Submit supervised hours
- AMFTRB exam results
- Completion of Jurisprudence exam
- Submit official transcripts
- Pay licensure application fee $250
Continuing Education Requirements
CE Requirements For Maryland MFTs
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
- Total Hours Required: 40 hours
- Must include:
- 30 hours Category A required
- 10 hours online (Category B) learning allowed
- (Supervision Requirements: minimum of 18 continuing education units)
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
