Alberta College of Social Workers

About ACSW

The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) serves as the regulatory College for the profession of social work in Alberta. ACSW's mandate and purpose is legislated by the Health Professions Act (HPA), which sets out the authority and regulatory duty of the College. Coming into force on April 1, 2003, the HPA outlines the regulatory mandate to establish requirements for mandatory registration, continuing competence, the practice of restricted activities and the clinical practice specialization. The HPA provides for protection of title for use by registered social workers and a broadly defined scope of practice. 

The ACSW is governed by a Council of fourteen members, composed of seven elected registered members and seven public members appointed by the Government of Alberta. The Indigenous Social Work Committee Chairperson holds a designated seat on Council.

Under the HPA the mandated objectives of the ACSW are:

  • to serve and protect the public interest
  • to regulate and provide direction to the social work profession
  • to establish, maintain and enforce requirements for registration and continuing competence
  • to establish and maintain requirements for practice enhancements including the clinical practice specialization and the practice of restricted activities
  • to establish, maintain and enforce Standards of Practice and a Code of Ethics
  • to establish and maintain a complaints and discipline process
  • to approve social work education programs for registration

Our Vision

 Albertans trust that social workers are competent and accountable for providing safe and ethical social work services. 

Our Mission

The Alberta College of Social Workers serves Alberta's diverse population by regulating the practice of social work.  We set standards and administer fair and reliable processes for registration, continuing competence, and discipline.