FAQs for the Public

RSWs on the provisional registry are typically new to regulated social work practice and should not provide practice supervision until they have more experience and are on the general registry.  

Individual authorization for restricted psychosocial interventions, clinical registration and mobility to other provinces can be limited to those on the general registry. Employers may have limitations on RSWs on the provisional registry that may impact recruitment, duties, or wages. Additionally, an employer might recruit only RSWs on the general registry. 

Please visit the restricted psychosocial interventions page for more information.  

Social workers promote social change and enhance people’s well-being. They help individuals develop problem-solving skills and feel self-empowered. Specific duties and client populations vary from setting to setting. Social workers may work in a wide variety of conditions and practice areas.  

Visit the Alberta Alis website for more occupational information. 

Social work is regulated in Alberta by the Health Professions Act (HPA), which gives this definition. 

In their practice, social workers do one or more of the following:  

• enhance or restore the social functioning of individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities by improving developmental, problem-solving and coping capacities of people and systems,  

• promote effective and humane systems that provide resources, opportunities and services to people and link people to those systems,  

• contribute to the development and improvement of social policy,  

• teach, manage and conduct research in the science, techniques and practice of social work, and  

• provide restricted activities authorized by the regulations.  

Supervised practice means performing the duties of social work while a more experienced registered social worker on the general registry observes your work. 

Most applicants for registration are first registered on the provisional registry when their application has been approved and registration fees have been paid. RSWs who have provisional supervised practice requirements must demonstrate that they have completed their specified hours of regulated social work practice under the supervision of an RSW who is on the general registry.   

ACSW recognizes supervised practice hours after you are registered. The requirement for supervised practice hours ends when you or your supervisor submits your supervisor reference form(s).  

The provisional registry allows social workers to practice until they have met their outstanding registration requirements and are able to progress to the general registry. Most new registrants are on the provisional registry. Typical requirements on the provisional registry can include supervised practice hours, a supervisor reference, outstanding documentation, and/or an entry-to-practice exam