Application Requirements for Internationally Educated
Registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) as a social worker with an active practice permit is required to practice in the scope of social work in Alberta.
This Application must be completed by applicants who
Registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) as a social worker with an active practice permit is required to practice in the scope of social work in Alberta.
This Application must be completed by applicants who
- earned a social work credential outside of Canada or the United States of America that has been
- assessed as equivalent to a Canadians Bachelor or Master of Social Work credential and
- upon ACSW of verification of qualified credential, given access to Internationally Educated Application
- Education Qualifications
- The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) Assessment of International Credentials has already been submitted and approved by ACSW
- Applicant will submit copies of educational transcript and degree (as appropriate)
- ACSW will accept the applicant’s translation of these documents in addition to the CASW assessment
- Current Resume
- An up-to-date resume that reflects education
- work experience
- social work related activities
- with locations and time frames will satisfy this requirement
- Character Reference
- The ACSW Character Reference must be submitted by an individual that knows the applicant
- does not have to be an RSW
- who is not a family member or partner
- The completed form may be sent directly to ACSW or uploaded by the applicant
- Alternatively, ACSW will also accept a reference in letter format that is directed to the Alberta College of Social Workers and specifically supports the applicant in the role as a regulated social worker
- The future Supervisor Reference cannot come from the same individual who completed the Character Reference
- The ACSW Character Reference must be submitted by an individual that knows the applicant
- Current Criminal Record Check
- Is valid for three (3) months from the date it was Issued
- Must be valid at the time registration is approved
- Resubmission of this document may be required if it has expired
- We do not require the vulnerable sector check
- ACSW will accept this document from local law enforcement agencies or from an online provider
- Inconclusive results may require a fingerprint check
- The applicant is responsible for fees/costs
- Criminal Record Checks submitted in a language other than English or French needs to be accompanied by an official translation
- Is valid for three (3) months from the date it was Issued
- Continuing Competency Requirements
- As an introduction to the ACSW Continuing Competence Program, applicants will complete a Self-Assessment and Learning Plan for the coming year
- Only the first 3 sections of the learning plan are required to be completed for this application
- Mandatory Training
- Complete mandatory training and add certificate(s) of completion to the application as directed
- For more information on Mandatory Training
- Other Professions/Jurisdictions
- Applicants that are or have been registered/licensed/certified in social work or another profession must have the Verification Form completed for each respective profession
- Complete the top portion of the form and forward it to the other regulatory bod(ies)
- Costs for verifications are the responsibility of the applicant
- When the complete application is reviewed and approved by ACSW staff, the applicant will be notified through email that payment of professional dues is now required
- Registration on the Provisional Registry is granted when payment is processed
*Your application will expire within six (6) months, so it is important to complete your application including the supporting documents to allow time for review.
What’s Next?
Registered Social Workers (RSW) on the Provisional Registry may progress to the General Registry when all provisional registration requirements have been met.
- Professional Liability Insurance
- is required when RSWs are working within the scope of social work practice
- is practice insurance, effective if/when a complaint is made regarding the professional’s social work practice
- Employers may provide professional liability insurance, however ACSW recommends that individuals purchase their own coverage (employer professional liability insurance is there to protect the employer)
- A private policy costs approximately $125 per year
- For more information on insurance
- Supervised Practice Hours and Supervisor Reference
- The online reference must be submitted by the Registered Social Worker(s) (RSW) who have provided practice supervision for required hours of practice
- The social work supervisor will be considered qualified if they are registered on the General Registry during the period of supervision
- Once the RSW has registered and completed all remaining supervised practice hours
- a Supervisor Reference Request can be submitted through the member portal
- can be found under the Additional tab once you become registered
- The previously submitted ACSW Character Reference form and the Supervisor Reference must be from two different individuals
- No hours (paid or volunteer) worked prior to registration will count toward this requirement
- Examination Requirements
- You will be required to successfully pass an entry-to-practice examination
- The examination is provided through the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- The level of the exam is determined by the results of your assessment
- Upon approval of registration, ACSW will forward the test approval to the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to allow registration for the exam
- Applicants are responsible to register for the exam directly with ASWB
- After registering for the exam, applicants are responsible for scheduling the exam with Pearson Vue
- All exam related costs are covered by the applicant
- The exam must be successfully passed within 1 year of registration
- Information for ASWB Exam Candidates
- Registration is renewed annually based on assigned quarter
- Annual continuing competence requirements must be met
- Social work practice that involves the treatment of substantial mental health disorders that grossly impair, may require individual authorization to perform restricted psychosocial interventions
- Registration as a Registered Clinical Social Worker (RCSW) is an option available to experienced RSWs with advanced preparations
- RSWs are required to keep ACSW profile up-to-date with contact and practice information
- Practicing registered social workers are trusted health professionals and are accountable to the ACSW Standards of Practice and CASW Code of Ethics
- RSWs are eligible to serve on the ACSW governance council and legislative committees on registration, continuing competence, clinical registry, and professional social work education