There are changes coming to the clinical practice enhancement application process and qualifying criteria for the program.
What is changing?
The program’s qualifying criteria and application process are being updated. As part of this change, the current pre-stream application pathway will be phased out. The goal of this change is to streamline the application process while ensuring social workers provide safe, ethical and competent clinical services to Albertans.
The revised clinical practice enhancement application pathway allows applicants who hold an MSW from an ACSW-recognized accredited program, who have been registered social workers on the general registry in Alberta or on a substantially equivalent register in another jurisdiction for at least two years without any limitations, conditions, or restrictions on their practice permit, and who have a minimum of three years post-MSW experience, to apply for the clinical practice enhancement. In addition, applicants must also have completed the following prior to submitting their application:
- 3000 hours of post-MSW direct clinical practice hours of which 1600 hours must involve direct client contact
- 100 hours of post-MSW clinical supervision with at least 50 hours provided by a registered clinical social worker (RCSW) or an equivalent clinical social worker in another jurisdiction with a minimum of five years of post-MSW clinical experience
- 45 hours of each of the following categories of coursework:
- Human Development and Behaviour from a Biopsychosocial and Sociocultural Perspective
- DSM Diagnosis, Clinical Assessment, and Treatment Planning
- Psychotherapy and Evidence-Informed Clinical Practice
Applicants with a clinical designation from another recognized jurisdiction may obtain the clinical practice enhancement through the clinical designation transfer application pathway during their ACSW registration process.
To apply under the revised clinical practice enhancement pathway or to find further information about this process, please visit the ACSW website on September 11, 2026.
Questions? Contact us at clinical@acsw.ab.ca