Competence Program
The Continuing Competence Program
The Health Professions Act (HPA) requires that all regulated health professionals demonstrate that they are maintaining and enhancing their competence throughout their careers. Under the Health Professions Act, the ACSW must establish, maintain and enforce standards for continuing competence. All registered social workers must participate in the program in order to receive their annual practice permit.
Competence Program Resources
| Total Credits Required |
|
|
|
Practice Supervision & Consultation | ||||||
| 40 | 10 credit hours Minimum *Max 20 credit hours per activity |
Optional *Max 10 credit hours per activity |
Optional *Max 5 credit hours per activity |
Standards of Practice dictates that all social workers will have ongoing practice/clinical supervision or peer consultation appropriate to their field of practice and setting. This can be documented in Categories A or B as appropriate. |
| Total Credits Required |
|
|
|
Practice Supervision & Consultation | ||||||
| 20 | 5 credit hours Minimum *Max 20 credit hours per activity |
Optional *Max 10 credit hours per activity |
Optional *Max 5 credit hours per activity |
Standards of Practice dictates that all social workers will have ongoing practice/clinical supervision or peer consultation appropriate to their field of practice and setting. This can be documented in Categories A or B as appropriate. |
| Total Credits Required |
|
|
|
Clinical Supervision & Consultation | ||||||
| 50 | 20 credit hours Minimum *Max 20 credit hours per activity |
Optional *Max 10 credit hours per activity |
Optional *Max 5 credit hours per activity |
10 credit hours Minimum Additional supervision and consultation can be documented in Categories A or B as appropriate. |
| Total Credits Required |
|
|
|
Clinical Supervision & Consultation | ||||||
| 25 | 10 credit hours Minimum *Max 20 credit hours per activity |
Optional *Max 10 credit hours per activity |
Optional *Max 5 credit hours per activity |
5 credit hours Minimum Additional supervision and consultation can be documented in Categories A or B as appropriate. |
| Total Credits Required |
|
|
|
Practice Supervision & Consultation | ||||||
|
10
Recommended |
10 credit hours recommended *Max 20 credit hours per activity |
Not Required *Max 10 credit hours per activity |
Not Required *Max 5 credit hours per activity |
Not practicing social work. Social work supervision and consultation should not be provided nor sought. |
Inactive status connotes member is not practicing social work and does not have a practice permit. Participation in the continuing competence program is not required. Despite the minimum recommendations above, full participation in the competence program is encouraged to offset normal competence loss when not engaged in full-time practice.
Inactive social workers who do not participate in the continuing competence program for 5 years must complete supervised practice hours and entry to practice exam as assigned upon reactivation. Less than 5 years will be assessed for needs upon request to reactivate. Those who let their registration lapse (cancel) for 3 years must complete supervised practice hours and entry to practice exam as assigned upon reinstatement.
Annual Portfolio Requirements
Portfolios can be requested for audit six months prior to your renewal period and may be anywhere from 1 to 5 years of documentation. Members are responsible for maintaining a full five year portfolio containing documentation of self-assessments, learning plans, activities and supporting documentation.
If you have attended a program or participated in an activity that meets your learning goal, but have not received supporting documentation, you may still be able to count the hours as Category A by completing the Category A summary provided in the Category A Credit Submission portion within the on-line renewal member portal.
A Learning Plan identifies and evaluates goals you establish to maintain or enhance your competence in social work practice. You may use a formal Learning Plan template available on the ACSW website.
Download Learning Plan (Currently only available in Word and PDF)
Self-assessment involves thoughtful reflection on ethical practice. It is being mindful about areas of strength and need for growth.
The Competence Committee has developed four forms to utilize during this step. These forms relate to Organizational Practice, Professional Practice, Ethical Practice and Self-care.
Organizational Practice serves to remind social workers they 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 they are accountable to ensure their conduct and practice aligns with all professional and legislative requirements.
Ethical Practice serves to remind social workers that all practice must be in compliance with the Standards of Practice (2013) and the Code of Ethics (2005) adopted by the ACSW.
Download Self-Assessment (you can choose either a Word or PDF version)