Frequently Asked Questions
What if the job falls within the scope of social work practice, but the employee is not working with the public?
If the position:
- is in management, research or policy development, in areas completely unrelated to issues in the scope of social work practice,
- does not require supervising social workers, or
- does not involve teaching social work,
- the employee may not have to be a registered social worker.
Contact us at registration@acsw.ab.ca or at 780-421-1167, or 1-800-661-3089 to confirm.
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
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.
If your employee’s practice involves any of the above, they are active in social work.
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.
The ASWB clinical exam is a licensing exam used by the Alberta College of Social Workers. By passing this exam, registered social workers demonstrate that they have the skills and knowledge to safely serve the public as clinical social workers.
ACSW is a member of the ASWB, a non-profit organization composed of the regulatory boards and colleges within the Canadian provinces and U.S. states, which developed and maintains social work licensing examinations, including the clinical exam.
You are not expected to submit all of your competency documents every year. What is required every year is a list of the activities you completed that year to ensure you maintain your minimum credit requirements.
Every five years, your portfolio may be requested for audit. The portfolio must contain learning plans, self-assessments, credited activities, and supporting documentation for all Category A activities recorded for the number of years being requested. While these documents do not have to be submitted annually, it is your responsibility to keep copies of these documents in an up-to-date portfolio.
Members are not expected to submit all of their competency documents every year. On a yearly basis, all that is required is a list of activities completed during the year making sure members maintain their minimum credit requirements. Every five years a portfolio submission may be requested for audit. The portfolio must contain learning plans, self-assessments, credited activities, and supporting documentation for all Category A activities recorded for the number of years being requested. These documents do not have to be submitted annually, but it is the member’s responsibility to keep copies of these documents in an updated portfolio.
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 include supervised practice hours, a supervisor reference, outstanding documentation, and/or an entry-to-practice exam.
Key responsibilities are to support client/public protection, remain within the agreed scope of supervision, and follow any relevant organizational or contractual terms. Practical expectations typically include:
- Clarify whether the supervisee has active cases and whether there is an organizational process for coverage/transfer.
- Encourage/require the supervisee (or the organization, where applicable) to address continuity of service (appropriate transfer/referral/termination planning).
- Document the situation and supervisory guidance.
- Maintain confidentiality and share information only as authorized/required.
- If the supervisee’s condition creates serious client risk and the supervisee/organization is not responding, consider appropriate escalation consistent with law, policy, and professional obligations.
We strive to be understanding during difficult times for registrants. To request a deferral from your continuing competence requirements, you must provide a request in writing to the director of professional practice including evidence to support your request. The director of professional practice will advise you in writing whether the deferral has been granted, with or without conditions.