Understanding Maryland's Social Work CEU Requirements
Navigating the continuing education requirements for social workers in Maryland can feel overwhelming, whether you're new to the field or a seasoned professional. However, understanding these requirements is crucial for successful license renewal. Let's break down what you need to know.
The Basics
Maryland-licensed social workers must complete 40 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every two-year renewal period. A significant portion of these, 20 CEUs, must be Category 1 and completed in live time, meaning either in-person or via a live online webinar
Specific Content Requirements
Within those 40 CEUs, you also need to fulfill specific content requirements:
> Ethics: 3 CEUs (Category I or II)
Our upcoming CEU program, Taking Care: The Ethics of Size Inclusivity in Clinical Practice, meets the ethics content requirement.
> Supervision: 3 CEUs (Category I or II) - Only required if you are a Board Approved Supervisor.
> Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice: 3 CEUs (Category I)
CEUs must focus on race, culture, or equity, and cover topics such as Cultural Humility, Social Justice, Racial Equity, Implicit Bias, or Anti-Racism Practices. This specific 3-hour requirement must be completed live (in-person or online).
The Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners recommends that the title of these anti-oppressive practice programs includes one of the specified topics and that the CEU certificate explicitly states it meets this requirement.
Important Note: All CEUs must be obtained from board-authorized sponsors.
Our upcoming CEU program, The Intersection of Trauma-Informed Care and Social Determinants of Health: A Social Justice Perspective, meets the Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice content requirement.
> Ethics: 3 CEUs (Category I or II)
Our upcoming CEU program, Taking Care: The Ethics of Size Inclusivity in Clinical Practice, meets the ethics content requirement.
> Supervision: 3 CEUs (Category I or II) - Only required if you are a Board Approved Supervisor.
> Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice: 3 CEUs (Category I)
CEUs must focus on race, culture, or equity, and cover topics such as Cultural Humility, Social Justice, Racial Equity, Implicit Bias, or Anti-Racism Practices. This specific 3-hour requirement must be completed live (in-person or online).
The Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners recommends that the title of these anti-oppressive practice programs includes one of the specified topics and that the CEU certificate explicitly states it meets this requirement.
Important Note: All CEUs must be obtained from board-authorized sponsors.
Our upcoming CEU program, The Intersection of Trauma-Informed Care and Social Determinants of Health: A Social Justice Perspective, meets the Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice content requirement.
Maryland Department of Health Implicit Bias Training Requirement:
In addition to the Board's CEU requirements, new licensees, as well as those reinstating or reactivating their licenses, have a one-time requirement to complete an Implicit Bias training provided by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). This MDH Implicit Bias training does not need to be from a board-approved CEU provider (though it can be). During license renewal, you will simply need to confirm that you have completed this one-time training.
In addition to the Board's CEU requirements, new licensees, as well as those reinstating or reactivating their licenses, have a one-time requirement to complete an Implicit Bias training provided by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). This MDH Implicit Bias training does not need to be from a board-approved CEU provider (though it can be). During license renewal, you will simply need to confirm that you have completed this one-time training.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can a 3-hour CEU training on implicit bias count for both the Maryland Board of Social Work’s anti-oppressive social work requirement as well as the Maryland Department of Health’s Implicit Bias Training Requirement? Yes, these are distinct requirements. A single training can satisfy both.
Can a 3-hour CEU training count for both the Maryland Board of Social Work’s anti-oppressive social work and ethics requirements? No, each CEU program can only be applied to one specific content requirement.
Can a 3-hour CEU training on implicit bias count for both the Maryland Board of Social Work’s anti-oppressive social work requirement as well as the Maryland Department of Health’s Implicit Bias Training Requirement? Yes, these are distinct requirements. A single training can satisfy both.
Can a 3-hour CEU training count for both the Maryland Board of Social Work’s anti-oppressive social work and ethics requirements? No, each CEU program can only be applied to one specific content requirement.
Do you have further questions? Please reach out through our contact form – we're here to help!