What LCSW-C, LMSW, LCPC and LGPC mean in Maryland

Nick Parker

3 hours ago

6 min read

LCSW-C and LMSW are Maryland social work licenses. LCPC and LGPC are Maryland counseling licenses. All four require a graduate degree. The LCSW-C and LCPC are the clinical licenses, earned after years of supervised experience. The LMSW and LGPC are earlier licenses whose holders provide therapy under the supervision of a senior clinician.

Key points

LCSW-C and LMSW come from the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.
LCPC and LGPC come from the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.
LCSW-C and LCPC are clinical licenses earned after supervised experience.
LMSW and LGPC clinicians hold graduate degrees and provide therapy under supervision.
Anyone can look up a license by name on each board's verification page.

Who licenses therapists in Maryland?

Two state boards issue the four credentials on this page. Both are part of the Maryland Department of Health.

The Board of Social Work Examiners licenses social workers. Under Maryland law, a person must be licensed by that board to practice social work in the state while presenting themselves as a social worker, and must hold the clinical license to practice clinical social work.

The Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists licenses clinical professional counselors, along with marriage and family therapists, alcohol and drug counselors and art therapists. State law says a person may not practice clinical professional counseling in Maryland unless licensed by that board.

The descriptions below come from the statutes and regulations each board posts on its website. Licensing rules are amended from time to time, so treat this as a plain-language summary and check with the board for the current wording.

What does LMSW mean?

LMSW stands for licensed master social worker. To get this license, a person must have a master's degree from a social work program that is accredited, or a candidate for accreditation, by the Council on Social Work Education, and must pass the examination the board requires.

An LMSW practices under a social work supervisor. Maryland's regulations say an LMSW's practice may not include treating emotional disorders, providing psychotherapy, or diagnosing a mental disorder without the supervision of an LCSW-C.

In practical terms, an LMSW who provides therapy is a trained, licensed clinician whose clinical work is overseen by a senior clinical social worker. The regulations also say an LMSW may be employed in a private practice working under the supervision of an LCSW-C, but may not run a private practice of their own.

What does LCSW-C mean?

LCSW-C stands for licensed certified social worker-clinical. It is the clinical level of social work licensure in Maryland.

The statute posted by the board requires a master's degree in social work with clinical course work, a passing examination, and at least two years as a licensee with at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience after the master's degree. Part of that experience must be face-to-face contact with clients, and it must include regular face-to-face supervision in assessment, treatment and psychotherapy.

Under the board's regulations, an LCSW-C may do the following.

Evaluate, diagnose and treat mental and emotional conditions and mental disorders
Provide psychotherapy
Engage in the independent practice of social work, meaning without a requirement of supervision
Have a private practice
Supervise other social workers

What does LGPC mean?

LGPC stands for licensed graduate professional counselor. It is the graduate-level counseling license, held while a counselor works under clinical supervision.

Maryland law allows a person to practice graduate professional counseling under supervision for a limited period of time if they have a master's or doctoral degree in a professional counseling field that meets the state's educational requirements and have passed the national counselor examination approved by the board. The board must approve the person before they practice.

An LGPC is building the supervised clinical experience required for the next license. The board's requirements say at least half of those supervised hours must be completed under a board-approved supervisor who is an LCPC.

What does LCPC mean?

LCPC stands for licensed clinical professional counselor. It is the board's clinical counseling license, as opposed to the supervised graduate license.

According to the board's licensure requirements, an applicant needs a master's degree with at least 60 graduate semester credit hours, or a doctoral degree, in professional counseling or a related field from an accredited institution. The coursework must cover a list of required subjects. The applicant must also pass the national counselor examination and a test on Maryland law.

Supervised experience is the other half. Master's-level applicants must complete three years with at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience in professional counseling, and two of those years must come after the degree. Doctoral-level applicants have a shorter requirement.

State law describes what the license covers: applying counseling principles and methods to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of psychological problems and emotional or mental conditions of individuals or groups.

How do you look up a Maryland therapist's license?

Each board has a free License Verification page on the Maryland Department of Health website. You do not need an account.

Pick the right board. For LCSW-C or LMSW, use the Board of Social Work Examiners lookup. For LCPC or LGPC, use the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists lookup.
Search by name or number. Enter the last name or the license number. If you are unsure of the spelling, both pages let you enter the first few letters of the last name.
Read the record. Maryland law requires the social work board's record to show the kind of license, the license number, its status, its expiration date, the original issue date and, if applicable, disciplinary history.
Ask if something is unclear. Both boards say the data comes directly from the license database and is updated daily. If a record confuses you, ask the clinician or the practice to explain it.

How Balanced Life can help

Our team in Salisbury and Bethesda includes licensed clinical social workers (LCSW-C), a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), licensed master social workers (LMSW) and a licensed graduate professional counselor (LGPC). Each clinician's license is listed on our team page.

The team also includes a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner for medication management, which is a nursing credential and not one of the four covered here. To learn how the professions compare, read counselor, therapist, psychologist or prescriber, or see our guide to choosing a therapist.

If you would like to start individual counseling, contact us or call 443-978-8688. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911. Our office does not provide emergency services.

Frequently asked questions

Is an LMSW or LGPC a qualified therapist?

Yes. Both hold graduate degrees and a Maryland license, and both have passed an examination. The difference is supervision. An LMSW provides psychotherapy under the supervision of an LCSW-C, and an LGPC practices under clinical supervision while completing the experience required for the LCPC. A senior clinician oversees their clinical work.

What is the difference between an LCSW-C and an LCPC?

They are clinical licenses from two different professions. An LCSW-C trained in social work and is licensed by the Board of Social Work Examiners. An LCPC trained in professional counseling and is licensed by the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. Both licenses cover diagnosing and treating mental and emotional conditions, so the work with clients often looks similar.

Can an LMSW ever practice without supervision?

Only with board approval. Maryland's regulations say an LMSW may not practice social work independent of supervision unless the board approves them for independent practice, which requires several years of supervised experience. Even then, psychotherapy and diagnosis still require the supervision of an LCSW-C unless the person earns that license.

Does a therapist's license level affect my insurance coverage?

It may. Coverage rules differ from plan to plan, and we cannot speak for your insurer. When you verify your benefits, ask whether the plan covers sessions with the specific clinician you plan to see. Our office can tell you each clinician's license when you call.

Sources

If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). In an emergency, call 911.