Frequently Asked Questions
If you are applying within three years of completing your recognized social work credential, you are not required to take the entry-to-practice exam.
When you apply to register, your file is assessed to determine if the exam is needed. (An example would be someone who has not been registered to practice in a recognized jurisdiction for the past three years).
Yes. In addition to annually updating your professional liability insurance, RSWs must
- participate in the continuing competence program
- submit annual renewal and professional declarations
- pay annual fees
- maintain an up-to-date profile with your name, employer, and contact information
Annual review of the standards of practice and code of ethics is expected.
The standards of practice also require that all social workers, including those on the general registry, require ongoing practice/clinical supervision or peer consultation appropriate to their field of practice and setting.
RSWs on the provisional registry are typically new to regulated social work practice and should not provide practice supervision until they have more experience and are on the general registry.
Individual authorization for restricted psychosocial interventions, clinical registration and mobility to other provinces can be limited to those on the general registry. Employers may have limitations on RSWs on the provisional registry that may impact recruitment, duties, or wages. Additionally, an employer might recruit only RSWs on the general registry.
The scope of practice for all registered social workers is defined in schedule 27 of the Health Professions Act. Registered clinical social workers are considered to have expertise in practicing clinical social work and using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
Unless the registered clinical social worker has received authorization to perform restricted psychosocial interventions, they may not practice in this very specific area of practice. See details here.
All social workers are required to limit their practice to areas of competence that can be demonstrated by knowledge, skills and abilities. Ongoing competency requirements are here.
Supervised practice hours are completed after registration, while you are registered on the provisional registry. They are not completed before registration.
Supervised practice hours are completed after registration, while you are registered on the provisional registry. They are not completed before registration.
Yes. You will have access to a practice permit that shows you are on the provisional registry. You are entitled to use the following titles and abbreviations: registered social worker, social worker, RSW, SW, and soc. wkr. The titles of RCSW and registered clinical social worker may only be used by social workers on the clinical registry.
No. There are three options available when you are not practicing social work:
- Remain active,
- Change status to inactive, or
- Cancel
If you choose to change your registration status to inactive, you will not have a practice permit. This status is designed for those on temporary leave, such as parental leave, and medical leaves of absence for one to five years. Inactive status must be renewed annually.
If you choose to cancel your registration while you are not practicing, you must reinstate it before you return to social work practice.
The ACSW does not accept anonymous complaints. The Health Professions Act specifies that complaints must be written and signed. The registered social worker who is the subject of the complaint receives a copy of the complaint. It includes the name of the person who made the complaint, but not their contact information. The person who made the complaint remains involved throughout the complaints process. In some circumstances, the associate complaints director may act independently on information if there is a public protection concern.
Registration is required if the person qualifies for registration as a social worker and is working in a position that falls within the scope of social work as defined above, in “What is social work?”; and
- works with the public, or
- provides practice supervision, or
- teaches in a social work education program