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.
All registered social workers must participate in the program to receive their practice permit.
The Continuing Competence Program is under review.
Current requirements can be found in the
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.
Self-assessment involves thoughtful reflection on ethical practice. It asks you to think about your areas of strength and need for growth.
The self-assessment form contains four sections: organizational practice, professional practice, ethical practice and self-care.
Organizational practice reminds social workers that you are responsible to be competent in any work-related task. A volunteer activity that fits within the scope of social work is considered to be social work practice.
Professional practice serves to remind social workers that you are accountable to ensure your conduct and practice aligns with all professional and legislative requirements.
Ethical practice serves to remind social workers that all practice must comply with the Standards of Practice (2023) and the Code of Ethics (2005).
A learning plan evaluates goals that you establish to maintain or enhance your competence in social work practice. A formal learning plan template is available (in Word or PDF formats).
The summary form is where you record any Category A activities if a certificate is not provided.
Record your continuing competence credits and related information in this form.