Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Think about what method of organization will be most helpful to your own needs. Some options include a file folder or binder. Some use an electronic filing system. Consider the uses you might have for the material, such as updating your resume or preparing for your annual review.
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.
We will accept a letter issued by the educational institution that states you have completed all requirements for your social work program and provides a conferral date. This is often provided by the registrar’s office when all graduation requirements have been met. Official transcripts must be submitted during your first year of registration.
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.
Porting and post-supervision streams: Once all the requirements have been met, you will be approved to write the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) clinical exam.
Pre-supervision stream: Once your application is approved, you are now a candidate to the clinical registry. (Candidate is an administrative term, not a protected title.) You will begin a minimum of two years of direct clinical practice, including 1600 hours of direct clinical practice as set out in the supervision plan, overseen by the identified clinical supervisor of record. Interim evaluations must be submitted for review every six months and are subject to feedback and approval. Once this has been satisfied, you will be approved to write the exam.