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New Maryland Anti-Oppressive Social Work CE Requirement

  • Writer: Elevate Continuing Education
    Elevate Continuing Education
  • Jan 30
  • 6 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

checklist on left side, Maryland flag on right side. Overlay text in center reads: New 2024 Maryland Social Work CE requirement

Attention Maryland Social Workers - there's a new continuing education requirement you need to be aware of for the 2025 license renewal! Maryland Social Workers must now fulfill 3.0 Category I CEUs on the topic of Anti-Oppressive Social Work. 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:

“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;”



What does this mean for Maryland Social Workers?

Maryland Social Workers renewing their license starting in 2024 and beyond will need to ensure that they're fulfilling this new Category I requirement along with their general CE hours, 3.0 Ethics Credits, and 3.0 CE Credit Supervision Requirement (ONLY for Board Authorized Supervisors).


Overview of Maryland Social Work CE Requirements:

  • 40 CEUs Total (30 for LBSW) during your 2-year renewal period

    • At least 20 CEUs must be Category I Credits (see below)

    • 20 CEUs may be earned with Category II Credits

      • All 40 may be earned via Category I credits.

    • SPECIAL TOPIC REQUIREMENTS (count towards 40 total CEUs):

      • 3.0 Anti-Oppressive Social Work CEUs (Category I ONLY)

      • 3.0 Ethics CEUs (can be Category I or Category II)

      • 3.0 Supervision CEUs - for Board Approved Supervisors ONLY (can be Category I or Category II)


    • *One-time Implicit Bias Training Requirement

      • *If you renewed in 2022 or 2023 and attested to have taken an Implicit Bias Training, you will not need to take additional training. However, you will need to attest to the fact that you have completed this requirement. New licensees and reinstated licensees must still fulfill this requiremenet. See below for more information.


What is the difference between the Anti-Oppressive Social Work CE Requirement and the Implicit Bias Training Requirement?

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 by taking a course approved by the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities.


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). This means that if you fulfilled the one-time Implicit Bias Training requirement, you do not need to fulfill that again (you will attest that you already have fulfilled it when you renew) 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.

If you renewed in 2022 or 2023 and attested to have taken an Implicit Bias Training, you will not need to take additional training. However, you will need to attest to the fact that you have completed this requirement."



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 fulfill 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."


Elevate Continuing Education is a Board Authorized Sponsor through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners - we are offering trainings that fulfill the NEW Anti-Oppressive Social Work 3 Category I CE Requirment and WILL ALSO fulfill the one-time Implicit Bias training requirement for those who are newly licensed or reinstating. See below for our upcoming trainings or visit: https://www.elevatece.com/live-webinars


How can I fulfill this new Maryland Anti-Oppressive Social Work CEU Requirement?

Elevate Continuing Education is offering multiple Live Webinars to help Maryland Social Workers fulfill this new requirement! Elevate Continuing Education is a Board Authorized Sponsor through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners and we're able to provide Category I courses that fulfill the CEU requirements for Maryland Social Workers. See our listing below for courses that fulfill all the special topic requirements for Maryland Social Workers. To see all of our course listings, visit our Live Webinars or Recorded Webinars pages to get started.


Don't forget that we have convenient Category II (recorded webinars) that are also accepted for Maryland Social Workers.


2025 License Renewal CEU Courses:


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.


MD Board of Social Work Examiners Links and Additional Resources

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:


Ready to get started? Visit our Live Webinars or Recorded Webinars pages to get started learning and earning CEs today!



Elevate Continuing Education is an approved continuing education sponsor authorized by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. However, Elevate CE is an independent provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.


The information provided on this page is intended to be a helpful reference for licensees, but it should not be considered official or exhaustive. Licensees are responsible for verifying their individual continuing education requirements directly with their licensing board.


While we make every effort to keep this information accurate and current, Elevate Continuing Education cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy and is not liable for any errors, omissions, or misinterpretations related to licensing requirements.

 
 
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