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.
LCSW-C
- 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 and structural racism training (Maryland health-occupations practitioner requirement)One-time only. Md. Health Occ. Art. Sec. 1-225 as amended by 2025 Ch. 478 (HB 783, eff. Oct 1, 2025): effective April 1, 2026 every applicant renewing a Maryland health occupation license or certificate must attest to completing an approved implicit bias AND structural racism training program at the first renewal on or after that date. Licensees who completed implicit-bias-only training under the 2021 SB 5/HB 28 rule must still complete the structural racism component. Boards MAY (but are not required to) adopt regulations awarding CE credit for the training.
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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 and structural racism training (Maryland health-occupations 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 (Nov 1 - Oct 31 renewal period per COMAR 10.42.06.03); CE tracked via CE Broker. Maryland's statewide one-time practitioner training was EXPANDED by 2025 Ch. 478 (HB 783): effective April 1, 2026 the attestation is for implicit bias AND structural racism training, due at the first renewal on or after April 1, 2026.