Frequently Asked Questions
If you are applying within three years of completing your recognized social work credential, you are not required to take the entry-to-practice exam.
When you apply to register, your file is assessed to determine if the exam is needed. (An example would be someone who has not been registered to practice in a recognized jurisdiction for the past three years).
Yes. There are registration requirements to be maintained annually. RSWs must
- Complete annual registration renewal
- Maintain and renew professional liability insurance
- Pay annual fees
- Maintain an up-to-date registrant profile with your name, employer, and contact information
- Complete annual competence program requirements
RSWs on the provisional registry are generally new to regulated social work practice. Provisional RSWs are required to work with supervision and should not provide practice supervision until they have more experience and are on the general registry. Provisional RSWs should not be in private practice.
Individual authorization for restricted psychosocial interventions, clinical registration and mobility to other provinces is limited to those on the general registry.
Supervised practice hours are completed after registration, while you are registered on the provisional registry. They are not completed before registration.
Supervised practice hours are completed after registration, while you are registered on the provisional registry. They are not completed before registration.
Yes. You will have access to a practice permit that shows you are on the provisional registry. You are entitled to use the following protected titles and abbreviations: registered social worker, social worker, RSW, SW, and soc. wkr.
If you are actively practicing in the scope of social work practice for pay or in a volunteer capacity you must be registered. If you are unsure if you are working in the scope of social work practice, please contact practice.consultation@acsw.ab.ca
If you are not practicing within the scope of social work practice, there are three options available:
- Remain active,
- Change status to inactive to accommodate a temporary leave from practice or employment
- Withdraw your registration to accommodate exiting practice or employment
If you choose to change your registration status to inactive, you will not have a practice permit. This status is designed for those on temporary leave, such as parental leave, and medical leaves of absence for one to five years. Inactive status must be renewed annually.
If you choose to withdraw your registration while you are not practicing, you must reinstate it before you return to social work practice.
The ACSW does not accept anonymous complaints. The Health Professions Act specifies that complaints must be written and signed. The registered social worker who is the subject of the complaint receives a copy of the complaint. It includes the name of the person who made the complaint, but not their contact information. The person who made the complaint remains involved throughout the complaints process. In some circumstances, the associate complaints director may act independently on information if there is a public protection concern.
Registration is required if the person qualifies for registration as a social worker and is working in a position that falls within the scope of social work as defined above, in “What is social work?”; and
- works with the public, or
- provides practice supervision, or
- teaches in a social work education program
No. Registered social workers pay their own annual registration fees. Annual registration fees are a requirement of registration.