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, in the past three years, you have completed a
- Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work from a program accredited by the
- Or a social work diploma from a program accredited by the Alberta College of Social Workers
Detailed requirements and the application follow. Please read carefully.
Requirements for recent graduate applicants
Your social work credential must have been completed within the past three years based upon the date of conferral on the official transcript. If you are eligible for new graduate application, you are exempt from the entry-to-practice exam and will be registered on the provisional registry with the requirement to complete 1000 supervised practice hours .
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
- Transcripts must indicate that the social work program is complete and that the diploma/degree is granted
- For educational institutions that do not confer diplomas/degrees until convocation
-
-
- ACSW will accept a letter from the educational institution that states you have completed your social work program until your official transcripts show you have received your diploma/degree
-
-
- Official and complete transcripts which indicate that your diploma/degree is granted must be submitted within the first year of registration
- Send transcripts to registration@acsw.ab.ca or Alberta College of Social Workers, #100, 13220 St. Albert Trail NW, Edmonton, AB, T5L 4W1
- 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 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 application 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 the 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
- 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.
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 1000 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,
- A supervisor reference request can be submitted through the registrant portal
- Your 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
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.