Registered social workers are regulated health professionals who must show that they’re maintaining and enhancing their competence throughout their careers.
The Health Professions Act requires ACSW to establish, maintain and enforce standards for continuing competence.
The new Competence Program will open on January 1, 2026 for all registered social workers. Please see below for a step-by-step, narrated walkthrough of the program. The new competence guide may be found on the Practice Resources page.
All registered social workers must participate in the program to meet their registration requirements and are required to retain documentation of their professional learning in an annual portfolio for a period of 5 years. Registrants may request accommodations, deferrals, exceptions, or waivers related to continuing competence requirements.
Annual portfolio requirements
As part of the Continuing Competence Program, registered social workers are required to document their professional learning in an annual portfolio. Registered social workers must retain five years of portfolios, which can be requested at any time.
Registrants may request accommodations, deferrals, exceptions, or waivers related to continuing competence requirements. The goal is to ensure equity, uphold professional standards, and maintain public trust.
