Many Maryland Social Workers express frustration about keeping up with continuing education requirements for license renewal. With new mandates being introduced and some requirements applying only once while others must be completed every renewal cycle, it's understandable that there is confusion.
To help simplify the process, the following overview explains the CEU requirements Maryland Social Workers must meet as part of the 40 continuing education credits required during each two-year renewal period. Mental health professionals licensed by other boards, or licensed in other states, should consult their respective licensing boards for specific requirements.
CEU Requirements for Every Renewal Cycle
Ethics (3 CEUs)
Maryland Social Workers are required to complete 3 Category I or Category II CEUs in Ethics during every two-year renewal period. Ethics courses typically address topics such as professional conduct, boundaries, dual relationships, confidentiality, and other ethical considerations relevant to clinical practice.
Upcoming Ethics Workshops at The Ferentz Institute:
- September 9 — The Risks and Dangers of Medical and Recreational Marijuana: Ethical Considerations for Mental Health Providers
- October 16 — The Impact of Social Media on Attachment, Brain Development and Mental Health: Ethical Considerations
- October 23 — Rethinking Forgiveness: Embracing Elective Forgiveness and Addressing Ethical Concerns in Trauma Recovery
- December 8 — AI Ethics in Action: Real-World Clinical Decisions
Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice Content (3 Category I CEUs)
Maryland Social Workers are required to complete 3 Category I CEUs in Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice during every two-year renewal cycle.
Qualifying content may include topics such as cultural humility, social justice, racial equity, implicit bias, and anti-racism practices. These courses are designed to help clinicians recognize and address systemic inequities and provide more inclusive, culturally responsive care.
In addition, after an appeal to the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners, workshops focused on antisemitism are now recognized as meeting this requirement.
Upcoming Anti-Oppressive Practice Workshops at The Ferentz Institute:
- September 14 – When Antisemitism Enters the Therapy Room: Therapist Experiences, Clinical Responses, and Anti-Oppressive Practice
- December 18 – Cultural Humility and Integrative Trauma Care for LGBTQIA+ Communities
Supervision (12 CEUs)
Social Workers seeking approval as Board-approved supervisors must complete 12 supervision CEUs.
Once approved, supervisors are required to complete an additional 3 supervision CEUs during each renewal cycle to maintain their supervisory status and stay current with best practices in clinical supervision.
Upcoming Supervision Workshop at The Ferentz Institute:
One-Time CEU Requirements
Structural Racism (3 Category I CEUs)
Beginning April 1, 2026, Maryland Social Workers are required to complete a one-time, 3-credit Category I course addressing Structural Racism.
This requirement must be completed during the first license renewal cycle after the regulation takes effect. Once completed, it does not need to be repeated in future renewal periods.
Structural Racism content focuses on how societal systems, institutional practices, and public policies contribute to racial inequities and discrimination. These courses help clinicians better understand the broader contexts that shape clients' lived experiences and access to resources.
Upcoming Structural Racism Workshops at The Ferentz Institute:
- October 7 – Healing in the Shadows of Systems: Structural Racism in Clinical Practice
- October 27 – The Impact of Structural Racism on Identity Formation in Black Men and Women
Implicit Bias (3 CEUs)
Maryland Social Workers are also required to complete a one-time, 3-credit course on Implicit Bias.
Implicit bias refers to attitudes, assumptions, stereotypes, and prejudices that can influence judgment and decision-making outside of conscious awareness. These courses help clinicians identify and address unconscious biases that may affect clinical assessment, treatment planning, and therapeutic relationships.
Like the Structural Racism requirement, this CEU requirement only needs to be completed once.
Upcoming Implicit Bias Workshop at The Ferentz Institute:
Final Thoughts
Understanding CEU requirements can help reduce stress and ensure a smoother license renewal process. By planning ahead and selecting courses that align with Maryland's requirements, Social Workers can stay compliant while expanding their clinical knowledge and skills.
For additional information about CEU requirements or upcoming training opportunities, visit The Ferentz Institute's workshop calendar.
Please note that licensure requirements may change over time. Social Workers should consult the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for the most current renewal requirements.