Continuing Education

LCSW-C CE Requirements in Maryland

This page summarizes the current CE requirements for the LCSW-C (Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical) license in Maryland — renewal model, mandated topics, live/interactive rules, and home-study limits — with links to the official regulator.

40CE hours / cycle
2 yrrenewal cycle
20 hlive / interactive required
3 hethics required
Full Maryland LCSW-C requirements
Verified

LCSW-C

LCSW-C (Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical)
40hours / 2-year renewal cycle
20 live / interactive hours required
Mandated topics
  • Ethics and professional conduct (including boundary issues or standards of practice) — 3 hMay be Category I OR Category II (not restricted to Category I)
  • Anti-oppressive social work practice (race, culture, equity; cultural humility, social justice, racial equity, implicit bias, anti-racism) — 3 hMust be Category I; effective October 31, 2024 renewals onward
  • Supervision content area — 3 hOnly required for Board-approved supervisors; may be Category I or II
  • Implicit bias training (Maryland health-care practitioner requirement)One-time only, required at first renewal for new licensees and those reinstated/reactivated (statewide practitioner rule effective April 1, 2022); counts toward the total

Home study: Minimum 20 hours must be Category I (formally organized, in-person courses/workshops/seminars/conferences, plus academic credit courses). Category II - which includes online courses, webinars, pre-recorded/non-interactive programs, distance learning and home-study - is therefore capped at 20 hours.

Board notes: 40 CEUs/2 years for LCSW-C/LMSW/LGSW (30 for Licensed Bachelor Social Worker, with 15 Category I min). Under COMAR 10.42.06, online/webinar/pre-recorded/home-study formats are explicitly Category II (capped at 20), so the 20-hour Category I minimum functions as a live/in-person requirement (academic credit courses also qualify as Category I). The 3-hour anti-oppressive Category I requirement took effect with October 31, 2024 renewals. Ethics 3 hours may be Category I or II. Biennial renewal on October 31; CE tracked via CE Broker.

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Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does an LCSW-C need in Maryland?

An LCSW-C must complete 40 CE / continuing-education hours every 2 years in Maryland. That total includes 3 hours of ethics. At least 20 of those hours must be live or interactive.

Are there required CE topics for LCSW-C in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland requires the following CE topics for LCSW-C: Ethics and professional conduct (including boundary issues or standards of practice) (3 h); Anti-oppressive social work practice (race, culture, equity; cultural humility, social justice, racial equity, implicit bias, anti-racism) (3 h); Supervision content area (3 h); Implicit bias training (Maryland health-care practitioner requirement).

Can LCSW-C CE be completed online in Maryland?

Not entirely. Maryland requires at least 20 live or interactive hours per cycle; the remaining hours may generally be completed through approved home-study / online courses. Home-study note: Minimum 20 hours must be Category I (formally organized, in-person courses/workshops/seminars/conferences, plus academic credit courses). Category II - which includes online courses, webinars, pre-recorded/non-interactive programs, distance learning and home-study - is therefore capped at 20 hours..

What else should LCSW-C renewals know in Maryland?

40 CEUs/2 years for LCSW-C/LMSW/LGSW (30 for Licensed Bachelor Social Worker, with 15 Category I min). Under COMAR 10.42.06, online/webinar/pre-recorded/home-study formats are explicitly Category II (capped at 20), so the 20-hour Category I minimum functions as a live/in-person requirement (academic credit courses also qualify as Category I). The 3-hour anti-oppressive Category I requirement took effect with October 31, 2024 renewals. Ethics 3 hours may be Category I or II. Biennial renewal on October 31; CE tracked via CE Broker.

Other Maryland licenses
LCSW-C CE requirements in other states
Updated July 2026 from official licensing-board, regulatory-college, and government sources. CE / CPD requirements change often — always confirm current rules directly with your licensing board or regulator before you renew. Informational only, not legal advice.