Attention Maryland Social Workers - there's a new continuing education requirement you need to be aware of starting in 2024! Maryland Social Workers who are renewing their license starting with the October 31, 2024 License Renewal period have a new 3 CEU social work continuing education requirement to fulfill. What does this mean? We have compiled everything you need to know about this new requirement - along with the existing requirements to help you ensure you're all set for this year's renewal.
Here is the new CE requirement, as stated in the updated COMAR regulations:
COMAR 10.42.06.03.A.(1)(d) Continuing Education Requirements:
“(d) 3 of the required Category I continuing education units shall have anti-oppressive social work practice content focusing on race, culture, or equity, and include one or more of the following topics: (i) Cultural humility; (ii) Social justice; (iii) Racial equity; (iv) Implicit bias; or (v) Anti-racism practices;”
You may view the entire COMAR 10.42.06 regulation at https://health.maryland.gov/bswe/Documents/Regs/10.42.06ContinuingEducationRequir ements.pdf
What does this mean for Maryland Social Workers?
Maryland Social Workers renewing their license starting in 2024 will need to ensure that they're fulfilling all of their required CEUs along with the specific topic requirements, which include this new 3 Credit Anti-Oppressive Social Work Requirement, the 3 Credit Ethics Requirement, and 3 Credit Supervision Requirement (only for Board Authorized Supervisors).
Here is a breakdown of the CE Hour requirements and topic requirements for Maryland Social Workers:
40 CEUs Total (30 for LBSW) must be earned within your 2-year renewal period.
20 CEUs may be earned with Category II Credits
All 40 may be earned via Category I credits.
The required CEU topics below are included in the 40 total CEUs.
3.0 Ethics CEUs (can be Category I or Category II):
"Effective November 1, 2017 all licensed social workers are required to obtain three (3) Category I or Category II continuing education units, every two years, in the content area focusing on ethics and professional conduct, including boundary issues. The program must be given by a Board Authorized Sponsor."
3.0 Anti-Oppressive Social Work CEUs (must be Category I):
Effective for the Oct 31, 2024 Renewal Period: "3 of the required Category I continuing education units shall have anti-oppressive social work practice content focusing on race, culture, or equity, and include one or more of the following topics: (i) Cultural humility; (ii) Social justice; (iii) Racial equity; (iv) Implicit bias; or (v) Anti-racism practices;”
3.0 Supervision CEUs - for Board Approved Supervisors Only (can be Category I or Category II):
"At the time of license renewal, demonstrate to the Board completion of 3 of the required Category I or Category II continuing education units in a content area focusing on supervision training..."
What is the difference between Category I and Category II CEUs for Maryland Social Workers?
The main difference between Category I and Category II CEUs is that Category I CEUs are live real-time interactive transactions between presenters, trainers, and social workers (including face-to-face and interactive technology). Category I CEUs must be provided by Board Authorized Sponsors.
Category II CEUs can be fulfilled through self-study trainings and other non-interactive activities. We have written an article which goes into greater detail on the difference between Category I and Category II CEUs for Maryland Social Workers.
How can I fulfill this new Maryland Social Work Anti-Oppressive Social Work CEU Requirement?
Elevate Continuing Education is a Board Authorized Sponsor through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners and we're able to provide the required CEU courses that Maryland Social Workers need for license renewal. New this year - we're offering a 3 Credit Category I Live Interactive Webinar on Cultural Humility, which fulfills this new requirement for Maryland Social Workers. We have added a new course date for this training on Friday, Oct 25, 2024. Learn more here.
Below is a list of courses which fulfill each of the topic requirements for Maryland Social Workers renewing their license in 2024:
Anti-Oppressive Social Work Requirement (Category I only):
NEW DATE ADDED: Fri, Oct 25, 2024 Live Webinar Category I Training (3 Credits): "Cultivating Cultural Humility for Mental Health Providers"
Ethics CEU Requirement (can be Category I or Category II):
Recorded Webinar Category II Training (3 credits - available 24/7): "Digital Dilemmas: Ethical Use of Technology in Mental Health" *access this training anytime 24/7
Recorded Webinar Category II Training (3 credits - available 24/7): "Where's the Line? Navigating Ethics of Dual Relationships and Boundaries" *access this training anytime 24/7
Supervision CEU Requirement (only required for Board Approved Supervisors - can be Category I or Category II):
Recorded Webinar Category II Training (3 credits):"Trauma-Informed Supervision (TIS): A Healing-Centered Approach to Enhance Supervisory Skills" *access this training anytime 24/7
Recorded Webinar Category II Training (3 credits):"Administrative Supervision Refresher Training" *access this training anytime 24/7
In addition to the above required courses, we have many other trainings to help you fulfill the rest of your required 40 CEUs (30 for LBSW). View our CE Courses page to learn more about all the trainings that we offer.
For more information about this new requirement and additional information about license renewal and continuing education for Maryland Social Workers, please review the information provided by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners at the following links:
Please note that Elevate Continuing Education is a continuing education provider and is a Board Authorized CE Sponsor by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners, but Elevate CE is in no way associated with the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. Licensees should use the above guidelines for informational purposes and should verify their own licensing requirements directly through their licensing board.