Courtesy registry – multi-jurisdictional

To support the transition to ACSW’s new registration management system and registrant portal, all registration applications will be temporarily closed effective July 1, 2025. Applications will re-open August 18, 2025.

In the case of exceptional circumstances that require immediate attention, please contact registration@acsw.ab.ca for assistance.

To practice in the scope of social work in Alberta, you must be registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers and have an active practice permit. 

You might qualify for courtesy registration if you are already registered or licensed in Canada or the USA, and are practicing in Alberta temporarily or virtually. 

To be eligible for the ACSW courtesy registry, you must 

• be a registered or licensed social worker in another recognized jurisdiction (other than Alberta) with no limitations, conditions or restrictions on your practice 

• be in good standing with the social work regulatory body where you are registered or licensed 

• intend to practice within the scope of social work in Alberta for no more than 360 hours per year, including: 

• • practice on an occasional or temporary basis 
  • practice in-person or electronically 
  • in an emergency/disaster response 

Detailed requirements and the application follow. Please read carefully. 

Requirements for courtesy registry applicants

Required documents

• Registration verification 

• • You must have a verification form completed by the regulatory body where you are currently registered/licensed/certified as a social worker 
  • If you are or have been registered/licensed/certified in another profession, you must have the verification form completed for each respective profession 
  • Complete the top portion of the form and send it to the other regulatory body or bodies 
  • You pay any costs for the verifications  

• Resume / CV
  Your up-to-date resume should include: 

• • education 
  • work experience 
  • activities related to social work 
  • locations and dates for all of the above 

• Current criminal record check 

• • A criminal record check is valid for three months from the date it was issued 

• • • It must be valid at the time you submit your complete application 
    • You might have to resubmit it if it has expired when your registration is approved 

• • A vulnerable sector check is not required 
  • We accept criminal record checks from local and federal law enforcement agencies or online providers 
  • Inconclusive results require a fingerprint check 
  • You pay any costs to get the criminal record check 
  • A criminal record check in a language other than English must have an official translation 

• Mandatory training
  Registered social workers in Alberta must occasionally complete certain mandatory training in addition to their social work education. 

• • You must complete any mandatory training and add the certificate of completion to the application as directed
  • Find out more about mandatory training 

• Education Qualifications 

• • If a transcript is not included with the verification form from your home jurisdiction and you wish to have your highest level of social work education appear on your profile, you must arrange to have your official transcript forwarded to us