Registered Social Workers can use the protected title of Registered Social Worker, and are registered through the College to practice social work in Nova Scotia within the scope of practice as defined by the Social Workers Act. These members:

• have obtained a degree in social work from an approved social work faculty;
• have the required social work experience; and
• have met the requirements of the Act and have been approved by the Board of Examiners for registration.

Social Worker Candidates are registered through the College to practice social work within the scope of practice as defined by the Social Workers Act.

New graduates from an accredited school of social work are admitted to the College as SWCs, and are required to complete the Candidacy Mentorship Program (2500 hours of practice experience with the support of a mentor) before using the protected title of Registered Social Worker. Candidacy may also be required for former social work practitioners returning to the profession. These members:

• have obtained a degree in social work from an approved social work faculty;
• have met the requirements of the Act and have been approved by the Board of Examiners for registration as a candidate; and
• are being mentored by an RSW approved by the Registrar of the Board.

Private practitioners are social workers who are self-employed and solely liable for their practice. These members have demonstrated to the Board of Examiners that they have advanced skills in a particular area of social work and can apply them independently.

NSCSW is phasing out this registration class in 2024. The Board of Examiners will continue to require members to apply for authorization to engage in clinical social work as private practitioners, and has created a new registration class of clinical specialist. Non-clinical private practice no longer needs special Board of Examiners authorization at all; RSWs and SWCs can now pursue non-clinical self-employment in Nova Scotia as long as their NSCSW registration is in good standing and they possess the required competence.

Clinical social work is an area of advanced practice. Clinical specialists are Registered Social Workers whom the Board of Examiners have authorized to engage in clinical social work practice independently as private practitioners.

The Board of Examiners may offer provisional approval to an RSW who is working towards clinical specialization, to practice with the supervision of an experienced clinician until all requirements are met; any such restrictions will be recorded in the public registry and they must indicate their provisional status alongside their title, i.e. “RSW – Clinical Specialist (Provisional)” or “TSR – Spécialiste clinique (provisoire).”

Associate members are social workers in good standing who are not currently practicing. Associate members cannot use the protected title of Registered Social Worker (RSW) or practice social work within the scope of practice. However, these members continue to maintain competencies while they are unemployed, on maternity or parental leave, or on long-term disability, and/or when they have retired from the profession.

Telepractice social workers are members who are registered and in good standing in another Canadian jurisdiction, and who have been approved by the Board of Examiners to practice remotely with clients in our province. These members must restrict their practice in Nova Scotia exclusively to electronic social work practice, i.e. the delivery of social work services by the use of any electronic device (such as a computer, tablet, smartphone, landline) or any electronic format (such as Internet, social media, online chat text, video, and email) and other electronic means.

Temporary Registered Social Workers or Social Worker Candidates have been approved to practice social work in Nova Scotia for a defined time period. There may also be practice restrictions.

The member has failed to renew their registration and is prohibited from practicing social work or using any title which would suggest that the individual is eligible to practice social work. (Refer to Sections 52 and 55 of the Social Workers Act)