How to Become a Social Worker in Maryland
Maryland is famous for several things and historical events. Out of the waters comes the luxury of blue crabs. It is also known for the Chesapeake Bay, and it was one of the original 13 colonies that started this great nation.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows an average annual salary of around $67,450 for social workers. Eleven schools that are CSWE-accredited programs have the courses needed to become certified as a social worker. This guide will help you learn how to become a social worker in Maryland.
Steps to Become a Social Worker in Maryland
Becoming a social worker in Maryland requires specific steps to help you throughout the journey. They are as follows:
1. Earn an Accredited Degree
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has programs for specific positions. The accredited degrees are the Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW) for entry-level jobs and a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) for higher authority positions.
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Exam is a multiple-choice test that must be passed with a score of 150/170 or higher.
2. Complete Field Hours in Training
Certified Social Workers are expected to complete 3,000 field training hours. Out of these, 100 direct hours must be face-to-face with a supervisor. Certified Social Workers-Clinical positions require 3,000 hours of experience. 1,500 hours must be face-to-face with clients, and 100 hours must be supervised face-to-face with a supervisor.
3. Get a License
All social worker positions in Maryland must pass the ASWB Exam to get a license. The results are submitted to the board, and a two-week waiting period is expected before getting the license or moving on to the field hours.
Social Work Degree BSW Programs in Maryland
Achieving a bachelor’s degree from a CSWE-accredited school is the first step. The program lasts about four years. Listed are the eight BSW-accredited schools to get you started:
Bowie State University: Bowie, MD, on-campus only, full-time only
Coppin State University: Baltimore, MD, on-campus only, full-time and part-time options
Frostburg State University: Frostburg, MD, on-campus only, full-time and part-time options
Hood College: Fredrick, MD, on-campus only, full-time and part-time options
McDaniel College: Portland, ME, on-campus only, full-time only
Morgan State University: Baltimore, MD, on-campus only, full-time and part-time options
Salisbury University: Salisbury, MD, online option available, weekend/evenings, full-time, and part-time options
University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Baltimore and Rockville, MD, on-campus only, full-time and part-time options
Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Maryland
Administration and upper management positions require a master’s degree. Expect two extra years to achieve this degree. Here are the schools that offer an MSW.
Morgan State University: Baltimore, MD, online available, two years+, full-time, part-time, and advanced standing options
Salisbury University: Salisbury, MD, online available, two years+, full-time, part-time, advanced standing, weekend/evenings, and multiple cohorts per year
University of Maryland: Baltimore, MD, online available, two years+, full-time, part-time, multiple cohorts per year, and advanced standing
Online MSW Programs in Maryland
Future social workers can get an MSW online and work independently. How long it takes depends on their schedule. These are the universities offering online MSW programs:
Morgan State University: Baltimore, MD, one year+, full-time, part-time, and advanced standing
Salisbury University: Salisbury, MD, one year+, full-time, part-time, multiple cohorts per year, weekend/evenings, and advanced standing
University of Maryland: Baltimore, MD, one year+, full-time, part-time, multiple cohorts per year, and advanced standing
Types of Social Workers in Maryland
To become a social worker in Maryland, you must go through the Maryland Department of Health MD Board of Social Work Examiners. There are four types of social workers in Maryland. All must apply for licenses and pay the fees. They are listed below:
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
To become a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW), the MD Board of Social Work Examiners requires:
Application packet must be submitted to the board.
To apply for an LBSW license, visit the Maryland Department of Health website. The fee is $80, paid at the time of application, and must be included with the packet. All applicants should get the school to send the BSW transcript to the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.
Applicant must take and pass the ASWB Bachelor’s Exam.
When the board approves the application, the applicant must take the ASWB Bachelor’s Exam. A passing score is 150/170. The exam fee is $230.
Receive the LBSW license.
The board will receive word on whether the applicant passed or failed the exam. The notice will be released in about two weeks. If the applicant passes, they will receive their LBSW license.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
To become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), the MD Board of Social Work Examiners requires:
Applicants submit an LMSW application to the board.
The applicant must apply to the board for a license. The fee is $80. The packet must include everything, including the fee, application, and BSW transcript.
Applicants must pass the ASWB Bachelor’s Exam ($230 fee).
After the application is submitted, the applicant may take the ASWB Bachelor’s Exam. The same passing rules apply as all questions are multiple-choice for each exam.
Wait and receive the LSW license from the board.
It takes two weeks for the results and for the applicant to obtain the license.
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
To become a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW), the Maryland Board of Social Work requires:
Applicants must submit an LCSW application.
Everything is the same for submissions as the above, however, the fee is $150.
Earn Experience.
The applicant must work under supervision for 3,000 hours, including 100 hours of direct but periodical supervised training. This is a contract agreement form for supervision.
Applicant must pass the ASWB Master’s Exam.
Once all demands are met, the applicant pays a $230 fee to take and pass the ASWB Clinical Exam To pass, the score must be at least 150/170.
Wait for the LMSW license from the board.
The same time limit applies as the ASWB will inform the board of a passing or failing grade.
Certified Social Worker – Clinical (LCSW-C)
To become a Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C), the MD Board of Social Work Examiners requires:
Qualifications to get an LCSW-C
A social work program must have twelve academic credit hours in clinical coursework and be documented and accredited by the CSWE.
Pass the ASWB Master’s Exam
The exam fee is $260, and you must complete it with a score of 150/170 to pass.
Get the License and Training
The board requires 3,000 hours of experience, including 1,500 hours working directly with clients and 100 hours under direct supervision. This is also a contracted agreement of supervision. It must include an assessment of supervision, including treatment of different conditions and mental disorders, formulation of a diagnostic impression, and provision of psychotherapy.
Social Work Licenses in Maryland
The state of Maryland issues four licenses for social workers, listed below. Application fees are $100, with an initial license fee of $75. All schools are required to be accredited with the CSWE. After completing all required courses, the school must submit the transcripts to the BSW.
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work is the minimum required to hold these positions, which are all entry-level careers.
Field Requirements: None recommended.
Exam Required: Score no less than 150/170 on the Bachelor’s ASWB Exam (Fee $230).
Licensed Master (Graduate) Social Worker (LMSW)
A Master’s Degree in Social Work is needed to get to this level of work. These positions are higher paying and consist of upper management and administration positions.
Field Requirement: None recommended.
Exam Requirements: Pass the Master’s (Graduate) ASWB Exam with a score of 150/170. The cost is $230 to take the exam.
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
Certification requires hands-on training under supervision in addition to an adequate degree. The applicant must follow through with the same requirements listed above.
Field Requirements: Supervised training is required for at least two years, which includes 3,000 hours of social work. Periodically, within the required hours, at least 100 hours must be under direct supervision. A contractual agreement must be signed for supervised work.
Exam Requirements: Register with the ASWB and pass the Master’s Exam, also known as the Graduate Exam ($230).
Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C)
This position allows the applicant to become an independent social worker. The license has additional requirements listed below.
Field Requirements: A written contract is required for supervised training. 3,000 hours of social work experience are required, with 1,500 of those hours spent with clients. The experience must include assessing supervision, treating different conditions and mental disorders, formulating a diagnostic impression, and providing psychotherapy.
Exam Requirements: ASWB Master’s Exam ($230), ASWB Clinical Exam ($260 cost)
Social Work Salaries in Maryland
The BLS reports these as the amount of workers and highest earnings.
| Child, family, and school social workers | 4,030 employed | $71,870 annual wage |
| Mental health and substance abuse social workers | 2,140 employed | $60,200 annual wage |
| Healthcare social workers | 4,430 employed | $65,030 annual wage |
| Social workers teachers, and post-secondary | 130 employed | $96,170 annual wage |
| All other social workers | 1,310 employed | $74,120 annual wage |
Social Work Scholarships in Maryland
Several awards and scholarships are granted in Maryland. One of these is the Delegate Scholarship, which comes from the state legislative branch for Maryland residents.
Social Work Organizations in Maryland
This is only one and most popular social work organization found in search bars in Maryland:
National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Maryland Chapter: The primary goal of the NASW Maryland Chapter is to offer information and assist in licensing social workers.
FAQs
Does Maryland have Social Work reciprocity?
No, but you may be able to get an endorsement if you have the equivalent license if you earned a license from out of state.
Search online under license verification on the MD Board of Social Work Examiners.