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SB 18

State Board of Social Work Examiners - Provisional License to Practice Social Work - Established

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Washington

SB 18 modifies Maryland's conditional social work licensing rules, adjusting eligibility, supervision, or duration requirements to affect workforce pipeline and professional credentialing standards.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 226
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Bill Summary · SB 18

Legislative bill overview

SB 18 revises Maryland's conditional licensing requirements for social work practitioners, modifying how the State Board of Social Work Examiners issues and manages provisional credentials. The bill adjusts the conditions, duration, or eligibility criteria for individuals seeking to practice social work before meeting full licensure requirements.

Why is this important

Conditional licenses serve as a pathway for aspiring social workers to gain supervised practice experience while completing educational or examination requirements. Changes to these provisions directly affect workforce supply in mental health and social services—fields experiencing persistent staffing shortages—and influence how quickly trained professionals can enter the job market.

Potential points of contention

  • Supervision standards: Revisions may alter the level, frequency, or qualifications required of supervising practitioners, potentially affecting quality control or creating implementation challenges for agencies
  • Timeline and duration: Changes to how long conditional licenses remain valid could either accelerate workforce entry or extend probationary periods, balancing public protection against labor market needs
  • Eligibility barriers: Modified requirements might lower entry barriers to increase workforce diversity and capacity, or could be viewed as reducing professional standards depending on stakeholder perspective

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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