1. Applicants must have an MSW with clinical specialization (or equivalent as per #5 below).
2. All applicants must be registered and in good standing.
3. Applicants are required to complete an initial application form and provide supporting documentation.
4. A nonrefundable application fee shall be submitted with the application.

Applicants must submit official transcripts of clinical social work courses.

Applicants must be registered while completing their supervised practice. Applicants with active complaints will be processed upon completion of the complaint with consideration to the adjudication.

Application forms are available from the ACSW office or online.

1. Only complete applications on the appropriate form will be brought before the committee.
2. Applications must be accompanied by a current resume, a clinical self-assessment, proof of liability insurance and a detailed list of continuing competence activities since completing the MSW (or for the past five years if the MSW was completed more than five years ago) including conferences, seminars, in-service training, self-directed study, volunteer/committee work, etc.
3. A current Criminal Record Check is requested.
4. Applications must be accompanied by the Request For Approval of Supervision Plan form

Applications will be processed when all required fees and forms are received.

1. Each time an individual submits an application, an application fee of $40 shall be applied.
2. Fees are reviewed on an annual basis.

1. Social workers applying to the registry must submit a supervision plan to the Clinical Committee for approval, before the supervised practice takes place.
2. The supervisor of record must be an approved supervisor on the Clinical Registry.

Applicants must complete and submit both the Initial Application form and the Request For Approval of Supervision Plan form. The supervision plan should include a minimum of 100 supervision hours and should reflect the following:

1. The supervision must be completed in not less that two years and not more than five years.
2. Supervision should include a combination of direct supervision (approximately 50%), case consultation, group supervision, self-reflection, and related activities. A combination of individual and group supervision must be reflected in the plan.
3. Supervision may include face-to-face, telephone, internet, or any other form of direct communication suitable to the parties.
4. The supervisor of record must observe at least 10 sessions between the applicant and clients, which may be through video or audio recording.
5. Any changes to the supervision plan or in the supervisor of record must be approved in advance by the committee. If there is a period of time between the original plan ending and a new plan starting that time will not count toward the required supervised practice hours.

1. Applicants must complete the post-supervision application form.
2. Applications must be accompanied by two clinical references from persons who can directly attest to the applicant's clinical skills and abilities.
3. Applications must be submitted in a timely manner.
4. Applicants must successfully complete a clinical social work examination.

Application forms are available from the ACSW office or online.

1. Only complete applications on the appropriate form will be brought before the committee.
2. Applications must be accompanied by a current resume, a clinical self-assessment, proof of liability insurance, and a detailed list of continuing competence activities since submitting the initial application.
3. Applicants must provide documentation of completion of supervised practice, as per the requirements noted in part 2 above.

One form must be completed by the supervisor of record. The second may be completed by another MSW in clinical practice with at least two years of post-MSW clinical experience, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or another person with recognized clinical expertise.

1. The references must be in the format provided by the ACSW.
2. Both referees must be sufficiently familiar with the applicant's clinical practice to answer all the questions on the reference form.

An application consists of the documents listed above. Supporting materials, including references, must be received within a six-month period or the application will be closed.

1. It is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm that all materials have been submitted.
2. Incomplete applications, with the exception of academic transcripts, will be destroyed after six months.
3. Exceptions may be granted, upon written request, at the discretion of the clinical committee.
4. Application fees will not be refunded.

Applicants are given information to register for the clinical examination approved by ACSW Council.

1. Due to a limited bank of questions, applicants who fail the clinical examination may register to rewrite in Canada after a minimum of one year.
2. If an applicant chooses to go to the US to take the examination the applicant may do so after a minimum of six months. Applicants who choose to go to the US must sign a waiver acknowledging that the examination content may include items not familiar to Canadian social workers.
3. An applicant who fails the exam three times must begin
4. Applicants are responsible for all costs involved with taking the exam and for being aware of all policies and procedures related to scheduling, taking, or missing the exam.
5. Each applicant will be notified of the next exam date after their application is approved. If the applicant is unable to make the scheduled date, a second opportunity will be given. Under exceptional circumstances a third date may be offered. The committee may require applicants to provide updated information after the second missed date.

1. Applicants who are not approved to take the clinical social work exam may appeal the decision.

Appeals may be submitted, in writing, to the chair of the Clinical Social Work Committee. An appeal must state the specific reason for the appeal.

1. The first level of appeal shall be to three members of the committee who were not involved in the original decision with regard to the application.
2. If the applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal to the committee, the applicant may submit an appeal, in writing, to ACSW Council.

1. Any applicant who does not hold an MSW in clinical practice shall be asked to provide/ demonstrate evidence of equivalency.

1. Applicants who do not hold a clinical MSW will be asked to provide evidence (course outlines and transcripts) of equivalency of learning in the following areas. Each learning area should be addressed by at least the equivalent of one half-course.
   Topics 1 - 4 may be at either the graduate or undergraduate level. Topics 5 - 6 must be at the graduate level.
   1. evaluation of practice
   2. social policy
   3. social work ethics and social justice, diversity/oppression
   4. systems/ecological/PIE model of practice
   5. clinical social work foundations
   6. at least one substantive clinical content area.
2. Equivalence to an MSW clinical practicum must be demonstrated by providing evidence of at least 1000 hours under the supervision of a clinical social worker (in addition to the 1600 hours required of all applicants) following a graduate level degree.
   1. The supervisor must be willing to provide an assessment upon completion of the supervision hours.
   2. A minimum of one hour of supervision for every 20 hours of client contact is required.
   3. Direct observation of practice (which may be through audio/visual electronic means) is required. At least three observations should be performed, at different phases of the supervisory relationship (beginning, middle, end).
   4. The course work identified in a) above may be completed before, during or after the 1000 hours is completed.
3. Applications for equivalency will be reviewed at regular committee meetings. The committee will inform the applicant of which aspects appear to be outstanding. The applicant may provide additional evidence to be considered at a subsequent meeting if there is disagreement on any content areas.
4. Applicants are encouraged to develop a plan for meeting equivalency requirements for review by the committee prior to beginning activities.

1. In order to remain on the clinical registry, a member must annually complete professional development, structured supervision/consultation, and additional hours of competence activities.

1. In order to remain on the registry, a member must provide evidence annually of the following:
   1. 20 hours of continuing education (category A) with a specific focus on clinical practice,
   2. a minimum of 10 hours of structured supervision, peer review, or consultation in amounts proportional to the member's areas of practice,
   3. at least 20 hours of additional continuing competence activities as defined in the Social Workers Profession Regulation.
2. Clinical social workers in part time practice must provide evidence annually of the following:
   
   1. 10 hours of continuing education (category A) with a specific focus on clinical practice,
   2. a minimum of 5 hours of structured supervision, peer review, or consultation in amounts proportional to the member's areas of practice,
   3. at least 20 hours of additional continuing competence activities in any category.
3. Clinical social workers who are inactive must provide evidence of having completed 20 hours of continuing competence activities per year with some focus on clinical practice. If a member is inactive for three or more years the committee will conduct a review to determine whether additional upgrading or supervision is required.
4. All clinical social workers must complete a minimum of 500 clinical practice hours in the preceding three-year period in order to maintain their status on the registry.
5. Any clinical social worker with less than 1000 clinical practice hours in a five-year period may be required to take a refresher course or to work under supervision prior to providing independent clinical practice.

1. Supervisors must apply to the Clinical Committee if they wish to be recognized as an approved supervisor.
2. Applicants may be provisionally approved if they meet all requirements other than item b2 in the procedures.

1. Application to be an approved supervisor must be made using the form provided on the ACSW web site.
2. The application must demonstrate the following:
   
   1. The supervisor is a current member of the Clinical Registry
   2. The supervisor has a minimum of 20 hours of formal training on the fundamentals of supervision within the past 5 years.
   3. The supervisor has a minimum of 5 years of clinical experience and experience giving and receiving supervision.
   4. The supervisor is a Registered Social Worker in good standing, with no current sanctions on their practice permit.