FAQs for Registrants
We recommend ASWB’s exam preparation materials. These include the free ASWB Exam Guidebook and exam content outlines. We strongly recommend their online practice test, available at an additional cost.
If you have the entry to practice exam requirement, ACSW will pre-approve you to take the exam and will submit your name with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) for scheduling the date and location in which you will take the exam. All information and details about the exam are accessed through ASWB’s portal – ASWB Central.
The need for a refresher course and what course is required will be evaluated on an individual basis by the Professional Practice department. Your field of practice, length of practice, length of absence, and activities while absent from practice are all considered as part of a re-entry to practice assessment.
Yes. All practicing RSWs must have professional liability coverage. This is a registration requirement. Registrants obtain their own professional liability insurance policy and ACSW accepts organizational/employer provided professional liability insurance coverage if it meets ACSW’s requirements.
First, you submit a request with your education institution to provide an official transcript for the completed credential. Second, the official transcript must be sent directly to ACSW from the educational institution. Please submit official transcripts to registration@acsw.ab.ca . Transcripts provided directly from you will not be accepted as official credential verification for registration. Transcripts must indicate that the social work program is complete and that the diploma/degree is granted.
The Health Professions Act and the Social Workers Profession Regulation sets out the protected titles for the profession of social work in Alberta. Only registered social workers can use the protected title of social worker and all other professional protected titles in Alberta.
If you have a social work education credential, are qualified and are employed in the scope of social work practice in Alberta, registration is mandatory.
A supervisor reference form must be submitted through the registrant portal to verify you have completed the required hours of supervised practice. The supervisor of record must attest to, or confirm, your safe and competent practice under their supervision.
The supervisor reference form is available in the registrant portal. You can access the form and send it to your supervisor to complete. Your supervisor submits the completed form to ACSW through the portal. Once your supervisor reference has been submitted, it will be processed in the order received. You can review the status of any supervisor references through the registrant portal. If your supervisor is a registered social worker in a different jurisdiction, please contact the Registration department.
Yes. You will be required to complete the reinstatement application pathway to re-establish your registration following a period of lapse or withdrawal. Depending on the purpose of your leave and the length of your leave, you will be asked to participate in a return to practice assessment to determine your competence requirements. See the Applicants tab on the ACSW website for more details.
Yes. Being a registered social worker (RSW) shows that you are a trusted professional and are accountable to the public and the profession. You are encouraged to use your RSW designation and show your educational qualifications on all professional documents. Being transparent to provide your registration status to your employer and the public is required under the ACSW Standards of Practice.
Educational credentials will be cited only when they have been received from an approved education institution and verified by ACSW.
A social worker with inactive registration status will identify with “inactive” before or after the use of the protected title, or not use the protected title.
This information can also be found on the public register.
Please visit the restricted psychosocial interventions page for more information.