Maryland LCSW Continuing Education Requirements
Maryland clinical social workers must complete 40 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their LCSW license, including 3 hours of ethics and professional practice and 3 hours of anti oppressive practice.
40
total hours / 2 years
3
ethics and professional practice hours
3
anti oppressive practice hours
20
live hours minimum
20
home study / self-study hours cap
Biennial · renewal date varies by licensee.
Maryland LCSW requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 40 hours every 2 years. |
| Renewal | Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date. |
| Ethics and Professional Practice | 3 hours required each cycle. |
| Anti Oppressive Practice | 3 hours required each cycle. |
| Format limits | Up to 20 hours may be completed through home study / self-study. |
| Format limits | At least 20 hours must be earned live. |
| Provisional renewal | The board allows a provisional/conditional renewal for up to 6 months before full compliance is required. Under COMAR 10.42.06.10, the Board may grant a conditional renewal of up to 6 months for licensees unable to complete CE by October 31 due to documented hardship (illness, military service, disaster, financial hardship). The licensee must petition before October 1. The extension is not renewable; if CE is still incomplete after 6 months the license is placed in non-renewed status. |
Full board policy details
- At least 20 of the 40 CE units (50%) must be Category I (Board-authorized sponsor programs, typically live or live-interactive). Up to 20 units may be Category II (peer consultation, publishing, home study, pre-recorded webinars, online/distance learning).
- Category II includes online learning such as digital seminars, pre-recorded non-interactive webinars, online courses, distance learning, and home study. Live-interactive online courses are treated as Category I.
- Course repeat restrictions: COMAR does not explicitly prohibit retaking the same course for credit within a cycle, though sponsors typically do not award duplicate credit. Instructors may earn Category II credit for preparing and presenting approved programs up to a maximum of 12 units per renewal period, even if the same program is presented multiple times.
- License status rules — Inactive: CE requirements are paused while a license is inactive, but to reactivate within 5 years the licensee must comply with the full CE requirements in COMAR 10.42.06 for the renewal period. Inactive status beyond 5 years requires a new application meeting initial licensure qualifications. Maryland does not have a separate retired status.
- License status rules — Reactivation: Reactivation from inactive status requires completion of the full 40-hour CE requirement (including all required topic areas) for the renewal period during which the license was inactive.
- First renewal: There is no abbreviated CE requirement at first renewal. A license issued during a year is treated as if issued November 1 of that year, so the first renewal falls at the end of a full 2-year cycle and the full 40-unit requirement applies.
- Mandated reporter duty: Maryland social workers are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect under Family Law §5-704, but no specific CE hours are required by the Board for this duty.
We turn all of this (every category, format limit, and one-time rule) into a live checklist on your Maryland LCSW record, and reapply board changes automatically as they happen.
Track Maryland LCSW CE free →Maryland LCSW CE: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do Maryland LCSW licensees need?
Maryland requires 40 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a LCSW license. Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
How many ethics hours are required for Maryland LCSW licensees?
Of the total, 3 hours must be in ethics and professional practice.
How often do Maryland LCSW licensees renew?
Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
Are there subject-specific CE requirements for Maryland LCSW licensees?
Yes. In addition to ethics, Maryland requires 3 hours of anti oppressive practice.
Can Maryland LCSW licensees complete CE online or by home study?
Up to 20 hours may be completed through home study / self-study. At least 20 hours must be earned live.
Sources & verification
- State source
- Maryland board rule
- Profession source
- ASWB ACE continuing education guidance
- Last verified
- May 2026
- Ruleset version
- 2026.1
Reviewed against the Maryland board source and refreshed from the compiled ruleset above. Methodology and disclaimer. Compliance data is informational only and not legal or board advice. Always verify requirements with your licensing board before you renew. See something wrong? Report it →
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