Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on a number of factors.  

• Retired members who do not wish to return to practice do not need to submit competence requirements. 

• A member who is taking an extended leave but plans to return to social work has two options:  

• Complete the program requirements for inactive members. This requires at least 10 credits be completed annually, but does not require any Category A activities. The member must still complete the self-assessment and learning plan to show how they are maintaining their competence in social work.  

• Or, cancel their registration until as they plan to return to practice, and at that time, complete any competence requirements that may be necessary for re-entry to practice. 

• Inactive social workers who have not completed competence requirements for five years must complete an exam within one year of becoming active.  

• If your registration is cancelled and you are unregistered for three years, you are also required to write an exam within one year of becoming active. 

It depends on a number of factors.  

• Retired members who do not wish to return to practice do not need to submit competence requirements. 

• A member who is taking an extended leave but plans to return to social work has two options:  

• Complete the program requirements for inactive members. This requires at least 10 credits be completed annually, but does not require any Category A activities. The member must still complete the self-assessment and learning plan to show how they are maintaining their competence in social work.  

• Or, cancel their registration until as they plan to return to practice, and at that time, complete any competence requirements that may be necessary for re-entry to practice. 

• Inactive social workers who have not completed competence requirements for five years must complete an exam within one year of becoming active.  

• If your registration is cancelled and you are unregistered for three years, you are also required to write an exam within one year of becoming active. 

Yes. All practicing RSWs must have professional liability coverage. Speak to the agency where you are volunteering to determine if you are satisfied with their professional liability coverage or if you should get your own. 

Yes. You will be required to complete an application for reinstatement of registration (see the Registration page for details). You will need to provide details of your continuing competence activities during your leave (if any). Depending on the purpose of your leave, you may be asked to provide additional information to assess your return to practice requirements.  

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.

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. 

This information can also be found on the public register  

Please visit the restricted psychosocial interventions page for more information.  

Registered clinical social workers have additional continuing competence requirements over registered social workers. This includes documenting a minimum of 10 hours of clinical supervision or consultation.  

There is an additional $50 annual fee to maintain the clinical designation.  

The purpose of practice supervision is to provide an environment for safe and confidential dialogue where social workers can reflect upon and discuss their practice and their response to it. This is where social work knowledge and skills are developed in a supportive framework while reinforcing professional social work obligations and values. 

Supervision must be completed by an RSW on the general registry regardless of their level of social work education. Typically, new social workers participate in one to two hours per month in dedicated practice supervision. The practice being supervised must fall within the scope of social work. Practice outside the scope may be excluded from practice hours tracked. The practice supervisor is attesting to the supervision of safe and competent social work practice and the number of practice hours.