House Bill 1521 - Support With Amendments - State Board of Social Work Examiners Membership and Examination Requirements

Sep 21, 2026

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Letter to the House Health and Government Operations Committee dated March 13, 2025 supporting House Bill 1521 with proposed Amendment No. 1. NASW Maryland urges repeal of ASWB exam requirements for LBSW and LMSW licensure and revised State Board composition to expand access to social work licensure. It also addresses inequitable impacts of licensing exams, recommends inclusive competency evaluation, and requests a favorable committee report. The amendment clarifies application steps, completeness notice timing, and board notification for approval to take licensure examinations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

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House Bill 1521 - Support With Amendments

Purpose of the legislation and requested action

NASW position on ASWB exam requirements and equity impacts

Proposed Amendment No. 1 (section changes and notification timelines)

House Health & Government Operations Committee March 13, 2025 House Bill 1521 State Board of Social Work Examiners-Membership and Examination Requirements ***SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS*** To the Honorable House Health and Government Operations Committee, The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is honored to have had the NASW Maryland chapter serve on the Maryland Department of Health Workgroup on Social Worker Requirements for Licensure. The final recommendations from this workgroup were instrumental in shaping House Bill 1521, and we are pleased to offer our full support for this legislation. This bill seeks to repeal the examination requirements for the Bachelor of Social Work (LBSW) and Master of Social Work (LMSW) licensure and adjust the composition of the State Board of Social Work Examiners. We believe these changes are critical to expanding access to social work licensure and strengthening the social work profession in Maryland. NASW has long advocated for equity, diversity, and inclusion in social work. On February 3, 2023, we issued a press release opposing the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing exams, which disproportionately disadvantage social workers of color, older adults, and non-native English speakers, based on data showing significant pass rate disparities. These exams limit the pool of qualified professionals serving diverse communities. We support removing ASWB exam requirements for LBSWs and LMSWs and are committed to exploring more inclusive competency evaluation methods to address the behavioral health workforce shortage and meet growing demand, especially in underserved areas. NASW chapters in Illinois and Colorado have already successfully passed similar legislation. We urge adoption of the following proposed amendment to clarify that the examination for applicants for the BSW and MSW licenses will still be offered to those who choose to take it as discussed in the workgroup: Amendment No. 1 On page 4, after line 29, insert: § 19-303 (a) To apply for a license, an applicant shall: (1) Submit an application to the Board on the form that the Board requires; and (2) Pay to the Board the application fee set by the Board. (b) The Board shall: (1) Review each application; (2) Within 15 business days after the initial receipt of an application and after the receipt of supplemental documentation, notify the applicant of whether the application is complete; and (3) [Notify each applicant whether the applicant has been approved to take the pertinent licensure examination] within 60 days from the date the Board received a completed application from the applicant, ISSUE: (A) FOR LBSW AND LMSW APPLICANTS, A LICENSE AND A NOTIFICATION OF APPROVAL TO TAKE THE PERTINENT LICENSURE EXAMINATION, OR (B) FOR LCSW-C APPLICANTS, A NOTIFICATION OF APPROVAL TO TAKE THE PERTINENT LICENSURE EXAMINATION. The National Association of Social Workers national office and NASW-MD strongly supports House Bill 1521 with the above amendment and commends the sponsors for their leadership in addressing licensure barriers and promoting diversity and equity in the social work profession. We believe this legislation is a crucial step in strengthening Maryland's behavioral health workforce and ensuring that social service systems are better equipped to meet the needs of all Maryland residents. We urge the Committee to issue a favorable report on House Bill 1521 with the above amendment. Sincerely, Karessa Proctor, BSW, MSW (she/her) Executive Director-Maryland National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Maryland Chapter Anthony Estreet, Ph.D., MBA, LCSW-C (He/Him) Chief Executive Officer National Association of Social Workers

FAQs

What does House Bill 1521 seek to change in Maryland social work licensure?

House Bill 1521 would repeal examination requirements for LBSW and LMSW licensure and adjust the composition of the State Board of Social Work Examiners. It is presented as a way to expand access and strengthen the profession in Maryland.

Why does NASW oppose the ASWB licensing exams for LBSW and LMSW applicants?

NASW cites data showing pass rate disparities that disproportionately disadvantage social workers of color, older adults, and non-native English speakers. NASW argues the exams reduce the pool of qualified professionals serving diverse communities.

What does Amendment No. 1 require regarding notifications for applicants?

Amendment No. 1 adds provisions for application submission and fees, requires the Board to review applications, and sets notification timelines. It also clarifies that applicants receive notice of approval to take the pertinent licensure examination, with specific handling for LBSW/LMSW and LCSW-C applicants.

Sep 21, 2026

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