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.
If you were previously registered as a social worker with ACSW and your registration was cancelled, this application is for you.
The process of having your registration reinstated differs from person to person. It is strongly recommended that you email us at registration@acsw.ab.ca to understand your specific requirements.
- If you have been suspended, please do not use this application. Log in to the registrant portal and complete your renewal.
- If it has been less than three years since your registration was cancelled and you were previously on the general registry:
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- you will be registered on the general registry when you complete the reinstatement process
- If your registration has been cancelled for more than three years and you are not registered in another recognized jurisdiction, you will be:
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- placed on the provisional registry
- required to pass an exam
- required to complete 1500 supervised practice hours
Please note: If you are registered as a social worker in another jurisdiction and were previously registered with ACSW, you may be able to register as a “Currently Regulated Applicant”. Please contact us at registration@acsw.ab.ca if this might apply to you.
Detailed requirements follow. Please read carefully. Then log in to the registrant portal and look for the Application to Reinstate with ACSW.
Requirements for reinstatement
Reinstatement requirements are determined by several things:
- whether you are currently registered in a recognized jurisdiction
- your regulatory status at the time of cancellation
- the length of time that you have not been regulated by a recognized regulatory body
- whether you had outstanding requirements at the time your registration was cancelled
Required documents
- Resume / CV
Your up-to-date resume should include:
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- 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
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- The character reference must be submitted by someone who knows you
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- The person can not be a family member or partner
- The person does not have to be a social worker
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- 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
- If you were previously registered on the general registry and it has been less than three years since your registration was cancelled
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- verification of practice hours is not required if you submit a second character reference from a registered social worker on the general registry
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- 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
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- A criminal record check is valid for three months from the date it was issued
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- 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
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- 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
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- Submit any continuing competence credits obtained since your last successful renewal. Competency credits must relate to social work knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or judgement
- You must complete a Self-Assessment and a Learning Plan for the coming year
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- Only the first three sections of the learning plan must be completed for this application
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- Mandatory training
Registered social workers in Alberta must occasionally complete certain mandatory training in addition to their social work education.
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- 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
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- 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
- Education transcripts
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- If you have upgraded social work education since last registering with ACSW, you must have official and complete transcripts from the educational institution(s), showing the highest level of social work education completed.
- Transcripts must be submitted directly from the institution(s) to ACSW
- Transcripts provided directly from you will not be accepted for registration
- Payment of registration fees
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- When the complete application is reviewed and approved by ACSW, 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 or general 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.
To apply for reinstatement, log in to the registrant portal and look for the Application to Reinstate with ACSW.
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.
What’s next depends on your specific situation. One or more of the following steps might be required.
- Update your registrant profile
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- When reinstated, you must update your profile with contact and employment information
- Professional liability insurance
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- 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
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- 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
- 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
- Examination requirements
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- You might have to write an examination if
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- your social work practice has not been regulated in the last three years, or
- you have not completed a recognized social work credential within the last three years
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- 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.
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- 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
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- 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.