Understanding the NEW Maryland Social Work CE Requirement vs. the Previous One-Time Implicit Bias Training
- Elevate Continuing Education
- Mar 3
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 21
Maryland social workers renewing their licenses must now complete 3 Category I CEUs in Anti-Oppressive Social Work. This requirement is part of the continuing education (CE) regulations. It ensures that social workers engage in training that promotes equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice. Social workers in Maryland must also fulfill their 3 Credit Ethics CE requirement in addition to this new requirement. Ethics CEUs can be Category I or Category II.
This article will help explain the difference between the new Anti-Oppressive Social Work CE requirement and the previous Implicit Bias One-Time Training requirement. For full details on Maryland’s new CE Anti-Oppressive Social Work CE requirement, check out our full blog post HERE.
Upcoming Trainings That Fulfill the New Maryland Anti-Oppressive Social Work CE Requirement
Monday, October 27, 2025 | 11:45am-3pm Eastern Time:
This live real-time training provides Category I CEs and fulfills the NEW Anti-Oppressive CE Requirement.
What is the difference between the new Anti-Oppressive Social Work CE requirement vs. the previous Implicit Bias Training?
Beginning with the 2022 renewal cycle, Maryland introduced an implicit bias training requirement. This was a ONE-TIME requirement which was NOT a CEU requirement. No certificate was required - only an attestation that you have fulfilled the requirement.
The new Anti-Oppressive Social Work CEU requirement began with the 2024 renewal cycle and is now required EVERY renewal cycle and is a CEU requirement (just like your Ethics CE requirement). If you fulfilled the one-time Implicit Bias Training requirement, you do not need to fulfill that again but you DO need to fulfill the new Anti-Oppressive Social Work 3 Category I CE Requirement.
In 2024, the Board published the following clarifications in regards to the Implicit Bias Training Requirement: "March 2024 BOARD UPDATE AND CLARIFICATION: The requirement is to take this training for one licensing renewal cycle only. • If you are a new graduate or a licensee that reinstated or reactivated your license and have not yet taken the required Implicit Bias training, at your next license renewal period, you will need to attest that you have completed this training for the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities."
What if I completed the Implicit Bias training requirement?
If you fulfilled the one-time Implicit Bias Training requirement then you should first check when you completed it and whether you earned CE Hours/CEUs for that training. The implicit bias training MAY also fulfill the new Anti-Oppressive Social Work CE requirement if:
You received at least 3.0 Category I CE Credit Hours
The CE provider is an Authorized Sponsor through the MD Board of Social Work Examiners
You completed the training within your most recent 2-year renewal cycle (if you are renewing in 2025, you would need to have taken the training within the last two years just like all your other required CE Hours)
If you're unsure, contact the CE provider or contact the MD Board of Social Work to check on whether this training can fulfill BOTH the Implicit Bias One-Time Training requirement AND the new Anti-Oppressive Social Work CE Requirement.
If the one-time implicit bias training does not meet the above requirements then you HAVE fulfilled the one-time Implicit Bias requirement but you will still need to fulfill the new Anti-Oppressive Social Work 3 Category I CE Requirement before your next license renewal deadline.
What if I'm newly licensed, reinstating, or have not fulfilled the Implicit Bias training requirement yet?
If you are newly licensed or reinstating your license and have not fulfilled the one-time Implicit Bias training requirement, then you will still need to do that. The Board of Social Work Examiners has provided the following guidance on this: "Implicit Bias Training provided by a Board Authorized Sponsor that is recognized by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners and meets the COMAR 10.42.06 Continuing Education Requirements satisfies this requirement. You may complete a MD Board Authorized Sponsor Implicit Bias training, you may earn CEUs, obtain a CE Certificate and include on the Continuing Education Report Form to meet your 40(30 LBSWs) CEU requirement."
View this information here: https://health.maryland.gov/bswe/Documents/Board/IMPLICIT%20BIAS%20TRAINING%20REQUIREMENTS.pdf
Elevate Continuing Education is a Board Authorized Sponsor through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners - the above trainings that we are offering which fulfill the NEW Anti-Oppressive Social Work 3 Category I CE Requirment WILL ALSO fulfill the one-time Implicit Bias training requirement for those who are newly licensed or reinstating.
Stay Compliant & Expand Your Knowledge
If you are a Maryland social worker due for license renewal in 2025, ensure you meet the NEW anti-oppressive social work CE requirement. One of our expert-led webinars is the perfect opportunity to do so.
Register today to secure your spot in one of these highly relevant and required trainings!
By completing these trainings, social workers not only comply with state requirements but also expand their expertise. Embracing anti-oppressive practices enriches their work and directly benefits the communities they serve.
