Frequently Asked Questions
You may become inactive temporarily while you determine if you will continue to practice in the scope of social work in a paid or voluntary capacity or you may withdraw your registration. ACSW does not offer a retired status.
You will be required to participate in the Competence Program if you have an inactive status.
A criminal record does not necessarily stop you from registering as a social worker. You must disclose your criminal history in the declarations section of the application to be individually assessed for the potential to be a trusted professional. A fingerprint report may be necessary when a criminal record check cannot confirm your identity or criminal history.
Registration is mandatory even when:
- your job title is not social worker
- your employer does not require proof of registration
An employer can set any job requirements for hiring. You may be doing the same job as another person who is not required to be a registered social worker, because that person does not qualify for registration.
ACSW determines if the services you are performing falls within the scope of practice of social work as defined in the Health Professions Act. Please contact practice.consultation@acsw.ab.ca if you are unsure if you require registration.
If you have a social work credential and your practice fits within the scope of practice, you must be registered, whatever title you use.
The title of social worker may only be used by registered social workers, but registration is required even when you do not use the title.
Any time you have a change in status, please contact competency@acsw.ab.ca.
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.
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.