LCSW-C: Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical

The LCSW-C, or Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical, is Maryland’s clinical social work license. Issued by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners, it qualifies experienced social workers to provide clinical services within the scope established by Maryland law.

What Is an LCSW-C in Maryland?

An LCSW-C is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical, the license Maryland uses for clinical social work practice. The credential is issued and regulated by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners (BSWE). Maryland law requires an individual to hold the LCSW-C before practicing clinical social work in the state.

LCSW-Cs may provide clinical services such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment of behavioral health and mental disorders, and psychotherapy within Maryland’s defined scope of practice. The license can also support work in settings such as behavioral health organizations, hospitals, government agencies, and private practice.

Becoming an LCSW is often discussed as a general pathway to independent clinical social work practice across the United States, but Maryland uses different terminology. Aspiring Maryland clinical social workers generally need a qualifying Master of Social Work degree, such as a CSWE accredited online Master of Social Work degree, followed by the state’s specific supervised experience, examination, and licensing requirements.

LCSW vs. LCSW-C: What Does the Difference Mean in Maryland?

The terminology can be confusing because LCSW commonly refers to “Licensed Clinical Social Worker” in many states. That is not what LCSW means in Maryland’s licensing system.

In Maryland:

• LCSW-C means Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical and is Maryland’s clinical social work license.
• LCSW means Licensed Certified Social Worker, a separate advanced-generalist license category.
• Maryland no longer issues new LCSW advanced-generalist licenses, although existing LCSW licenses may continue to be renewed.

For social workers moving to Maryland from a state where their clinical license is called an LCSW, the comparable Maryland license to investigate is therefore generally the LCSW-C, not Maryland’s LCSW credential.

Maryland Social Work License Levels

Maryland regulates social work through several license categories administered by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. For new applicants, the main license levels are LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW-C. Maryland also has an LCSW category, but the Board no longer issues new LCSW advanced-generalist licenses.

Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)

The LBSW is Maryland’s bachelor’s degree in social work-level social work license. LBSWs practice generalist social work under supervision and may perform functions such as assessment, case management, counseling, advocacy, community organization, and program-related work.

Maryland does not permit an LBSW to diagnose mental or emotional disorders, provide psychotherapy, or engage in private practice. An LBSW may practice independently only after receiving separate Board approval for independent practice.

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

The licensed master social worker (LMSW) is Maryland’s master-level social work license. It allows a broader scope of practice based on graduate-level social work education, but an LMSW still practices under appropriate social work supervision unless separately approved for independent practice.

For someone pursuing clinical licensure, the LMSW is especially important because Maryland requires the supervised clinical experience used toward an LCSW-C to be earned after obtaining the LMSW and under a written supervision contract with a Board-approved LCSW-C supervisor.

Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)

In Maryland, LCSW means Licensed Certified Social Worker, not Licensed Clinical Social Worker. It is an advanced-generalist license category that remains part of Maryland’s licensing framework for existing licensees, but the Board no longer accepts applications for new LCSW licenses. The Board’s current application system limits this category to reinstatement and reactivation.

That distinction is important because an out-of-state social worker who holds an LCSW as a clinical license should not assume that Maryland’s LCSW is the equivalent credential.

Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C)

The LCSW-C is Maryland’s clinical social work license. Its scope includes clinical functions such as evaluating, diagnosing, and treating mental and emotional conditions and disorders, providing psychotherapy, and engaging in private clinical practice.

For social workers seeking Maryland’s highest clinical license, the practical pathway is therefore generally:

MSW → LMSW → supervised clinical experience → LCSW-C

The sections below explain the specific education, supervision, examination, and application requirements for completing that pathway.

What Does an LCSW-C Do?

An LCSW-C provides clinical social work services in Maryland, working with individuals, families, and groups experiencing mental health, behavioral, emotional, and psychosocial challenges. Unlike social workers practicing under more limited Maryland licenses, an LCSW-C may practice clinical social work independently.

Depending on the role and setting, an LCSW-C may:

• Assess and diagnose mental and emotional conditions: LCSW-Cs may evaluate clients, formulate diagnostic impressions, and diagnose mental and emotional disorders.
• Provide psychotherapy: They may deliver individual, family, or group psychotherapy using approaches appropriate to a client’s needs and treatment goals.
• Develop and provide treatment: Clinical social workers help create treatment plans and provide interventions for concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use disorders, and other behavioral health conditions.
• Coordinate care and services: LCSW-Cs may work with physicians, psychologists, counselors, social service agencies, schools, and other providers to address a client’s clinical and social needs.
• Provide crisis intervention: They may assess and respond to behavioral health crises and help connect clients with appropriate treatment, safety, and support resources.
• Practice independently or in private practice: Maryland permits LCSW-Cs to engage in independent social work practice. An LCSW-C may also provide psychotherapy in a solo or group private-practice setting.
• Provide social work supervision: An LCSW-C who meets Maryland Board requirements for approved supervisors may supervise other social workers, including LMSWs accumulating experience toward clinical licensure.

These responsibilities allow LCSW-Cs to work across behavioral health clinics, hospitals, community agencies, government programs, schools, and other settings. Some also establish private practices after obtaining the experience and credentials necessary for independent clinical work.

For social workers interested in this type of practice, understanding how to become an LCSW provides useful national context, while the sections below cover the requirements that apply specifically to Maryland’s LCSW-C license.

Maryland LCSW-C Requirements

To qualify for an LCSW-C in Maryland, applicants must meet education, supervised experience, and examination requirements set by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. The state’s requirements are more specific than a generic LCSW pathway, particularly when it comes to clinical coursework and supervision.

Education and Clinical Coursework

Applicants must hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Maryland also requires at least 12 academic credits of clinical social work coursework from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Up to 6 of those 12 credits may come from a BSW program.

For students comparing degree options, a CSWE-accredited online Master of Social Work degree can meet the educational foundation for licensure if the program and coursework satisfy Maryland’s requirements. Reviewing Maryland social work programs and online MSW programs in Maryland may also be useful for understanding the state’s educational landscape. 

LMSW Status Before Clinical Experience in Maryland

If the clinical experience is earned in Maryland, the applicant must hold an active LMSW license while completing the experience required for the LCSW-C. The supervised experience must also be governed by a written supervision contract, using the Board’s required form, that is signed before the employment and supervision period begins.

Supervised Clinical Experience

Maryland requires at least:

• 2 years, or no fewer than 104 weeks, of supervised clinical social work experience
• 3,000 total hours of supervised clinical social work experience in direct service to clients
• At least 1,500 hours of face-to-face client contact
• 100 hours of direct face-to-face supervision during the clinical experience

The supervision must address clinical functions including assessment, formulation of diagnostic impressions, treatment of mental disorders and other conditions, and psychotherapy. For experience earned in Maryland, the supervisor must be a Board-approved LCSW-C supervisor.

Application and Documentation

Applicants apply through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners and currently pay a $100 application fee. The Board also requires an official MSW transcript, Supervision Verification Forms completed by the applicant’s supervisors, a summary of the qualifying experience, and a résumé reflecting the experience reported on the supervision forms.

For clinical experience completed in Maryland, applicants must additionally submit the supervision contract associated with each qualifying clinical work experience.

Eligibility for the Clinical Examination

Completing the required experience does not mean an applicant can register for the clinical exam automatically. The Maryland Board reviews the application and supporting documentation first to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements to sit for the examination.

Once the application is complete, the Board states that it may take up to 60 days to review it. The Board’s current instructions also recommend completing the required criminal history records check after passing the clinical examination.

The next section can focus specifically on the LCSW-C licensing exam in Maryland, including the Board-approval step and the current ASWB Clinical exam process.

LCSW-C Licensing Exam in Maryland

Applicants pursuing an LCSW-C in Maryland must pass the ASWB Clinical examination, but they cannot simply register for the exam on their own. The Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners must first review the LCSW-C application and determine that the applicant meets Maryland’s education and supervised-experience requirements.

Once the Board approves an applicant to test, the applicant can register for the Clinical exam through the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).

What Is on the ASWB Clinical Exam?

As of August 3, 2026, the ASWB Clinical exam follows a new examination blueprint and format. The exam includes:

• 122 total questions
• 110 scored questions
• 12 unscored questions
• A mix of three- and four-option multiple-choice questions
• A four-hour time limit

The current exams emphasize applied social work knowledge across three broad content areas and are based on ASWB’s 2026 examination blueprint.

How Much Does the Clinical Exam Cost?

The current ASWB registration fee for the Clinical examination is $260. This fee is separate from Maryland’s LCSW-C application fee and other costs associated with obtaining the license.

Maryland Exam Eligibility

Maryland applicants should apply to the Board before attempting to register for the Clinical exam. As part of its review, the Board evaluates documentation such as the applicant’s MSW transcript, required clinical coursework, supervised clinical experience, and supervision records.

After determining that the requirements have been met, the Board authorizes the applicant to take the Clinical examination. ASWB handles exam registration and scheduling after that authorization.

Preparing for the Clinical Exam

Candidates can use ASWB’s current examination guidebook, content outline, software tutorial, and official online practice test to prepare. Because the examination format changed in August 2026, applicants should make sure any study materials they use reflect the 2026 Clinical exam blueprint rather than the previous 170-question format.

Passing the Clinical exam satisfies an important part of Maryland’s LCSW-C licensing process, but applicants must still complete the Board’s remaining licensing requirements before an LCSW-C can be issued.

How to Become an LCSW-C in Maryland

The path to becoming an LCSW-C in Maryland follows a specific sequence set by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. For applicants completing their clinical experience in Maryland, the process generally looks like this:

1. Earn a Qualifying Master of Social Work Degree

Complete a Master of Social Work degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), or an equivalent program accepted by the Board.

Maryland also requires at least 12 academic credits in clinical social work coursework, with at least 6 of those credits completed as part of the MSW program.

2. Obtain an LMSW License in Maryland

Before beginning clinical experience that will count toward an LCSW-C, a social worker practicing in Maryland must hold an active Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) license.

The clinical experience used for LCSW-C eligibility must be earned after obtaining the LMSW.

3. Establish a Supervision Contract

Before the qualifying employment and supervision begin, the LMSW and supervisor must complete Maryland’s required written supervision contract.

For experience earned in Maryland, the supervisor must be a Board-approved LCSW-C supervisor. Applicants should retain the contract because it must later be submitted as part of the LCSW-C application.

4. Complete the Required Clinical Experience

Applicants must complete at least:

• 2 years, or 104 weeks, of supervised clinical social work experience
• 3,000 total hours of supervised clinical social work experience
• 1,500 hours of face-to-face client contact
• 100 hours of direct face-to-face supervision

The qualifying experience must be completed in no fewer than two and no more than six consecutive years.

The supervision must include clinical work involving assessment, diagnostic formulation, treatment of behavioral health disorders and other conditions, and psychotherapy.

5. Apply to the Maryland Board for LCSW-C Examination Eligibility

After completing the required experience, submit the online LCSW-C application and pay the current $100 application fee.

Applicants must also provide supporting documentation, including their official MSW transcript, Supervision Verification Forms, the Board’s experience Summary Sheet, a résumé, and the applicable supervision contracts for Maryland clinical experience.

The Board considers the application complete only after all required materials have been received. It may take up to 60 days to review a completed application.

6. Receive Board Approval and Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam

Applicants must receive authorization from the Maryland Board before registering for the ASWB Clinical examination.

Once approved, register with ASWB, take the Clinical exam, and obtain a passing score. The ASWB examination fee is separate from Maryland’s application fee.

7. Complete the Remaining Licensing Requirements

After passing the Clinical exam, complete any remaining Board requirements. The Board currently recommends completing the required criminal history records check after passing the examination.

Once the Board determines that all licensing requirements have been met, it can issue the Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) license.

Because individual circumstances can affect which experience or documentation the Board will accept, applicants should rely on the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners’ current instructions when preparing an application.

Maryland LCSW-C Licensure by Endorsement

Social workers who already hold a clinical license in another state may be able to obtain an LCSW-C in Maryland through licensure by endorsement rather than starting the licensing process from the beginning.

Maryland treats an out-of-state clinical license such as an LCSW or LICSW as potentially equivalent to the Maryland LCSW-C. The Board separates endorsement applicants into two groups based on how long they have held their first clinical social work license.

Applicants With Less Than 5 Years of Clinical Licensure

If you have held an equivalent clinical license for less than five years, you must apply for the LCSW-C by Endorsement — Advanced Practice, Less Than 5 Years Experience.

The Maryland Board currently requires applicants in this category to provide documentation that includes:

• An official MSW transcript
• At least 12 credits of clinical social work coursework
• An official ASWB Clinical exam score report
• Supervision Verification Forms documenting qualifying clinical experience
• A summary sheet of supervised experience
• A résumé
• A criminal history records check

The application fee is currently $100.

Because this pathway requires documentation of supervised clinical experience, social workers who obtained their clinical license relatively recently should be prepared to obtain records from previous supervisors and employers.

Applicants With 5 or More Years of Clinical Licensure

Maryland provides a different endorsement pathway for experienced clinical social workers who have held an equivalent clinical license for at least five years.

To use this route, an applicant must be able to document at least 1,000 hours of compensated social work practice per year for five of the 10 years immediately preceding the application while practicing with a clinical license.

Instead of submitting the same supervision documentation required of applicants with less than five years of clinical experience, these applicants document their qualifying practice through Maryland’s Employment Certification Form. Multiple forms may be needed if the required five years of practice were completed with different employers or practices.

Applicants must also submit an official graduate transcript, an official ASWB Clinical exam score report, a résumé, a criminal history records check, and other documentation required by the Board. The current application fee is $100.

Does Maryland Have LCSW-C Reciprocity?

Maryland generally describes this process as licensure by endorsement, rather than automatic reciprocity. Holding an LCSW, LICSW, or another state’s clinical social work license does not by itself convert into a Maryland LCSW-C.

The Maryland Board reviews an applicant’s education, examination history, clinical licensure, experience, and supporting documentation before issuing the Maryland license. Out-of-state clinicians should therefore apply under the endorsement category that matches the length of time they have held their clinical license.

It is also important not to select Maryland’s LCSW category when seeking clinical endorsement. In Maryland, LCSW historically refers to the separate Licensed Certified Social Worker advanced-generalist credential; the state’s clinical license is the LCSW-C.

LCSW-C Salary and Job Outlook in Maryland

Salary for an LCSW-C in Maryland can vary substantially based on experience, employer, practice setting, specialization, and whether the social worker is employed by an organization or operates a private practice.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not publish a separate wage category for LCSW-Cs. The closest occupational category for many clinical social workers is Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (SOC 21-1023).

Maryland Salary Data

According to May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, mental health and substance abuse social workers in Maryland had a median annual wage of approximately $73,580.

This figure should be viewed as a benchmark rather than an expected LCSW-C salary. The occupational category includes workers with different levels of education, experience, responsibility, and licensure, and BLS data do not isolate Maryland LCSW-C license holders.

LCSW-Cs may earn more or less depending on factors such as:

• Years of clinical experience
• Work setting and employer
• Area of specialization
• Supervisory or leadership responsibilities
• Geographic location within Maryland
• Private-practice caseload, rates, and operating expenses

Job Outlook for Clinical Social Workers

BLS projects employment of social workers overall to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. BLS projects particularly strong growth for mental health and substance abuse social workers as demand for behavioral health and substance use treatment continues.

Clinical social workers can find opportunities in settings such as hospitals, behavioral health clinics, community organizations, government agencies, schools, residential programs, and private practices.

Because the LCSW-C permits clinical practice in Maryland, it can qualify social workers for positions that require independent assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, and other clinical services. Actual hiring demand and compensation will vary by employer and location.

Career Paths and Specializations for LCSW-Cs in Maryland

An LCSW-C can work across a wide range of clinical and behavioral health settings in Maryland. The license supports independent clinical practice, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and psychotherapy, which can open the door to both specialized employment and private practice.

Common career paths include:

Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment

LCSW-Cs may work with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use disorders, and other behavioral health conditions.

Common settings: outpatient mental health clinics, substance use treatment programs, community behavioral health organizations, hospitals, and private practices.

Child and Family Clinical Social Work

Some LCSW-Cs specialize in working with children, adolescents, parents, and families. Their work may involve family therapy, trauma treatment, behavioral concerns, parenting support, or coordination with schools and child-serving agencies.

Common settings: behavioral health clinics, family service organizations, schools, hospitals, and private practices.

Medical and Healthcare Social Work

Clinical social workers in healthcare settings help patients and families manage the emotional, behavioral, and social effects of illness, disability, hospitalization, and long-term treatment.

Common settings: hospitals, outpatient medical practices, rehabilitation programs, hospices, and long-term care facilities.

School-Based and Youth Behavioral Health

LCSW-Cs may provide counseling and other behavioral health services to children and adolescents in school-based or community programs. Their work can address concerns such as anxiety, trauma, family stress, behavioral problems, and school adjustment.

Common settings: schools, school-based health centers, community agencies, and youth programs.

Military and Veterans Behavioral Health

Maryland LCSW-Cs may also work with active-duty service members, veterans, and military families, addressing concerns such as trauma, adjustment, family stress, substance use, and transitions to civilian life.

Common settings: federal and military healthcare systems, veterans’ programs, community organizations, and private practices.

Older Adult and Geriatric Social Work

LCSW-Cs who specialize in older adults may address depression, grief, cognitive changes, caregiver stress, adjustment to illness, and other mental health concerns associated with aging.

Common settings: hospitals, senior services organizations, long-term care facilities, hospices, and private practices.

Private Practice

The LCSW-C is Maryland’s clinical social work license and can support independent clinical practice. Some LCSW-Cs establish solo or group practices providing psychotherapy, assessment, consultation, or other clinical services within the scope permitted by Maryland law.

Clinical Supervision and Leadership

Experienced LCSW-Cs may move into supervisory, program management, clinical leadership, training, or administrative roles. Those who meet Maryland Board requirements to become approved supervisors may also supervise LMSWs working toward LCSW-C licensure.

The range of available paths allows LCSW-Cs to specialize by population, treatment area, or practice setting while maintaining a clinical focus.

Maryland LCSW-C Frequently Asked Questions

What Does LCSW-C Mean in Maryland?

In Maryland, LCSW-C stands for Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical. It is the state’s clinical social work license and is issued by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.

The terminology differs from many other states, where LCSW commonly stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Is an LCSW-C the Same as an LCSW?

Not in Maryland.

Maryland’s LCSW-C is the clinical license. Maryland’s LCSW historically refers to the Licensed Certified Social Worker advanced-generalist license, which is a separate credential. The Board no longer issues new LCSW advanced-generalist licenses.

Someone who holds an LCSW as a clinical license in another state and is moving to Maryland would generally apply for the LCSW-C, subject to Maryland’s endorsement requirements.

Do You Need an LMSW Before Becoming an LCSW-C in Maryland?

For clinical experience obtained in Maryland, yes. The experience used to qualify for the LCSW-C must be obtained after the applicant has earned the MSW and while holding an active LMSW license.

The experience must also be completed under the required supervision arrangements, including a written supervision contract and a Maryland Board-approved LCSW-C supervisor.

How Many Supervised Hours Are Required for an LCSW-C in Maryland?

Maryland requires at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work experience completed over at least 104 weeks.

Of those 3,000 hours:

• At least 1,500 hours must involve face-to-face client contact
• Applicants must receive at least 100 hours of direct face-to-face clinical supervision

The qualifying experience must be completed in no fewer than two and no more than six consecutive years.

What Coursework Is Required for an LCSW-C?

Applicants must hold an MSW and document at least 12 academic credits of clinical social work coursework from a CSWE-accredited social work program or an accepted equivalent.

At least 6 of the 12 clinical credits must be earned as part of the master’s degree program.

What Exam Is Required for the Maryland LCSW-C?

Maryland LCSW-C applicants must pass the ASWB Clinical examination.

Applicants first submit their LCSW-C application and supporting materials to the Maryland Board. The Board determines whether they are eligible to take the exam before authorizing registration with ASWB.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply for an LCSW-C in Maryland?

The Maryland Board currently charges a $100 LCSW-C application fee.

The ASWB Clinical exam has a separate $260 registration fee, so applicants should budget for both expenses as well as any additional costs associated with transcripts, background checks, or other required documentation.

Can I Transfer an Out-of-State LCSW to Maryland?

Maryland does not automatically convert an out-of-state clinical license into an LCSW-C. Instead, qualified applicants can apply for licensure by endorsement.

An out-of-state LCSW, LICSW, or similarly titled license may qualify as an equivalent clinical license. The documentation required depends in part on how long the applicant has held the clinical license.

Applicants with less than five years of clinical licensure generally must provide detailed supervision documentation. Experienced applicants may qualify for a pathway based on documenting at least 1,000 hours of compensated clinical social work practice per year for five of the previous 10 years while clinically licensed.

Does Maryland Have Reciprocity for LCSW Licenses?

Maryland generally uses licensure by endorsement rather than automatic reciprocity.

The Board reviews an applicant’s license history, education, ASWB examination record, experience, and other required documentation before determining eligibility for an LCSW-C.

How Often Do Maryland LCSW-C Licenses Need to Be Renewed?

Maryland social work licenses are renewed for two-year periods. LCSW-C licensees generally must complete 40 continuing education units (CEUs) during the renewal cycle, including any subject-specific requirements established by the Board.

Maryland also requires licensees to complete a criminal history records check at renewal under the Board’s current renewal process.

Because continuing education and renewal rules can change, licensees should review the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners’ current renewal requirements before each renewal cycle.

Is the LCSW-C Worth It?

For social workers who want to provide clinical services in Maryland, the LCSW-C is the key clinical license. It permits a broader scope of practice than Maryland’s lower-level licenses and can support work involving diagnosis, psychotherapy, independent clinical practice, supervision, and leadership.

Earning the license requires a significant investment in graduate education, supervised clinical experience, examination, and ongoing continuing education. For clinicians who plan to build a long-term career in mental health or behavioral health practice in Maryland, however, the LCSW-C can provide access to roles and responsibilities that are not available at the LMSW level.

The most important step is to follow the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners’ current requirements, particularly for clinical coursework, supervision, exam eligibility, and endorsement. Maryland’s terminology and licensing rules differ from those used in many other states, so applicants should avoid relying on generic LCSW guidance when planning their path to licensure.