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First time applicant

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. 

This application is for you if you:  

  • have never been registered with ACSW 
  • are not actively registered as a social worker with any other Canadian or American jurisdiction 
  • have completed a Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work from a program accredited by the 

Detailed requirements and the application follow. Please read carefully. 

Application

Requirements for First-Time Applicants

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

Required documents

  • Education qualifications 
    • Your official and complete transcripts from the educational institution(s) where you completed your highest level of social work education must be submitted directly from the institution to ACSW Transcripts provided directly from you will not be accepted for registration 
  • 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 
  • Character reference
    You have two options: complete the ACSW character reference form OR submit a reference letter addressed to ACSW that supports your application to be a social worker 
    • The character reference must be submitted by someone who knows you 
      • The person can not be a family member or partner  
      • The person does not have to be a social worker 
    • The completed form can be sent directly to ACSW by the person who fills it out, or uploaded by you 
    • ACSW will also accept a reference letter that shows support for you in the role of a regulated social worker 
    • At a later stage of registration, you will need a supervisor reference. Your supervisor reference can not come from the same individual who completes the character reference 
  • 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 reviewed 
    • 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 
  • Continuing competency requirements 
    • You must complete a Self-Assessment and Learning Plan for the coming year. This introduces you to the ACSW Continuing Competence Program.  
    • Only the first three sections of the learning plan must be completed for this application 
  • 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 
  • Other professions/jurisdictions 
    • If you are, or have been, registered/licensed/certified in social work or another profession, you must complete the verification form for each 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 
  • Payment of registration fees 
    • When the complete application is reviewed and approved by ACSW staff, you will be notified by email that payment of registration fees is now required 
    • When your payment is processed, you will be registered on the provisional registry and your practice permit will be available for download  

If your application is not complete within two months, it will be closed and you will need to submit a new application.
For an application to be considered complete, you must pay the application fee and submit all required documents.  

If you have not heard from us within three weeks, please contact ACSW to inquire about the status of your application. 

Application

What’s next?

A registered social worker (RSW) on the provisional registry is authorized to use the title of RSW, and has all the rights and responsibilities of an RSW. Please note that ACSW will not recognize practice supervision performed by RSWs who are on the provisional registry. 

RSWs progress to the general registry by completing all outstanding provisional registration requirements. Registration on the general registry is required in order to access ACSW’s practice enhancements, for mobility across Canada, and to provide practice supervision to RSWs on the provisional registry. 

  • Professional liability insurance 
    • RSWs require professional liability insurance coverage 
    • You must add information about your insurance coverage to your profile within seven days of beginning social work practice 
    • It must be updated on your ACSW profile within 30 days of expiration 
    • Details on professional liability insurance are here 
  • Supervised practice hours and supervisor reference 
    • RSWs on the provisional registry require at least 1500 hours of supervised practice. (The number of hours varies for different application paths.) 
    • You must provide a reference from the RSW (registered on the general registry) who supervised your hours of safe and competent social work practice 
    • Once you have registered and completed all remaining supervised practice hours, 
    • The character reference (submitted earlier as part of your application) and the supervisor reference must be from two different people 
    • No hours (paid or volunteer) worked before registration count toward your supervised practice hours
  • Examination requirements 
    • If you  completed a recognized social work credential more than three years ago, and are not actively registered as a social worker in a recognized jurisdiction,  
      • you must pass an entry-to-practice examination appropriate for your highest level of social work education 
    • The examination is provided by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) 
    • When you are registered with ACSW, we will inform ASWB that you are approved to take the test. ACSW authorization is required to gain access to the ASWB exam registration system. 
      • You must register and pay for the exam directly with ASWB  
      • ASWB will inform you when you can schedule your exam with their provider at the date, time and location of your choosing 
    • You must pass the exam within one year of registration 

Information for ASWB Exam Candidates  

Please note: 

  • Registration is renewed annually before the expiration of your practice permit. You are assigned a registration quarter (a  3-month period). 
  • You must meet annual continuing competence requirements 
  • Treating substantial mental health disorders that grossly impair as part of your social work practice may require individual authorization to perform restricted psychosocial interventions 
  • Registering as a registered clinical social worker is an option available to experienced RSWs with advanced preparations 
  • As an RSW, you are required to keep your ACSW profile up-to-date with contact and practice information 
  • Practicing registered social workers are trusted health professionals and are accountable to the ACSW Standards of Practice and CASW Code of Ethics
  • As an RSW, you are eligible to serve on the ACSW Council and on legislative or regulatory committees relating to registration, professional practice, education approval, and professional conduct. 

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