Sec. 10.42.01.04. Licensure

A. To obtain an initial license or a license for renewal, reactivation, reinstatement, or reissuance, an applicant shall complete a criminal history records check through the central repository. In accordance with Criminal Procedure Article, §§10-201-10-228, Annotated Code of Maryland, the central repository shall provide criminal history records information to the Board.

B. The Board shall review the criminal history records information provided for any positive results from the criminal history records check.

C. An applicant is not required to complete a criminal history records check provided the applicant completes a criminal history records check under the Rap Back service, which will automatically alert the Board of any future criminal charges.

D. Bachelor Social Worker.

(1) The Board shall issue a bachelor social worker’s license to an applicant who has met the qualifications in Health Occupations Article, §19-302(a) and (b), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(2) If a bachelor social worker applies for licensure in a different category, the application shall be treated as an initial application subject to the appropriate fees.

E. Master Social Worker.

(1) The Board shall issue a master social worker license to an applicant who has met the applicable qualifications in Health Occupations Article, §19-302(a) and (c), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(2) If a master social worker applies for licensure in a different category, the application shall be treated as an initial application subject to the fees set forth in COMAR 10.42.05.

F. Certified Social Worker.

(1) The Board shall issue a certified social worker's license to an applicant who has met the qualifications in Health Occupations Article, §19-302(a) and (d), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(2) The applicant for a certified social worker's license shall have 2 years of supervised social work experience as a licensed master social worker with supervised social work experience of at least 3,000 hours while licensed as a master social worker which is:

(a) In compliance with COMAR 10.42.08;

(b) Performed in not less than 2 years and not more than 6 consecutive years; and

(c) Obtained by the candidate while performing social work activities professionally and for compensation.

(3) A candidate shall have obtained a master social worker license before beginning to obtain the 3,000 hours of supervised social work experience.

(4) A candidate shall have obtained a master social worker license before applying for a certified social worker license.

(5) If a certified social worker applies for licensure in a different category, the application shall be treated as an initial application subject to the appropriate fees.

(6) Social work experience required to obtain a certified social worker license may include one or more of the following:

(a) Case management;

(b) Information and referral;

(c) Advocacy;

(d) Research:

(e) Community organization;

(f) Administrative activities; and

(g) Supervision.

(7) The supervisor and supervisee shall conform to the requirements in COMAR 10.42.08.

G. Certified Social Worker-Clinical.

(1) The Board shall issue a certified social worker-clinical license to an applicant who has met the requirements in Health Occupations Article, §19-302(a) and (e), Annotated Code of Maryland, with documentation of clinical course work.

(2) An applicant for a certified social worker-clinical license shall have completed 12 academic credits of clinical course work from an accredited program with a minimum of six of the 12 academic credits obtained in a Master's of Social Work program.

(3) The applicant for a certified social worker-clinical license shall have 2 years of supervised clinical social work experience as a licensed master social worker with supervised clinical social work experience of at least 3,000 hours while licensed as a master social worker which is:

(a) In compliance with COMAR 10.42.08;

(b) Performed in not less than 2 years and not more than 6 consecutive years; and

(c) Obtained by the candidate while performing social work activities professionally and for compensation.

(4) A candidate shall have obtained a master social worker license before applying for a certified social worker-clinical license.

(5) A candidate shall have obtained a master social worker license before beginning to obtain the 3,000 hours of supervised social work experience.

(6) A licensed master social worker shall formulate a diagnostic impression while under the supervision of a licensed certified social worker - clinical while obtaining the requisite 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work experience.

(7) Clinical social work experience for the purpose of obtaining a certified social worker-clinical license shall be in direct service to clients and may not consist solely of:

(a) Telephonic clinical assessment;

(b) Triage;

(c) Continued stay reviews; and

(d) Discharge planning.

(8) The supervisor and supervisee shall conform to the requirements in COMAR 10.42.08.

(9) Half of the supervised clinical social work experience required to obtain a certified social worker-clinical license shall consist of face-to-face client contact.