If you have social work credentials
and are practicing within the
scope of practice you must be
registered with the College.

Definition of Social Work Practice

The Registration Process

Complete this online application form with your $100 non-refundable application fee. Once you have completed your online application form and paid your application fee you have 6 months to complete the registration process (see next steps).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upload the following to your member profile:

  1. A completed Release of Information form
    (this form gives the Board of Examiners permission to release the status of your registration  to your employer if applicable.)
  2. Your current Resume
  3. If you’re employed, a copy of your job description (not applicable if you are not employed)

 

 

Mail an original copy* of the following documents to the College:

  • University transcript (BSW/MSW) sent from the University directly to the College OR a letter from the University confirming completion of your BSW/MSW degree program (if you are awaiting convocation)
  • Two of these reference forms completed by your referees and forwarded by them directly to the Board office.
  • Criminal Record Check (contact local police or visit this website)
  • Child Abuse Registry Check
    *** If your province does not conduct a child abuse check, please note this in your application and ensure that the police include a vulnerable persons’ check.

*Originals only, no photocopies or digital copies

Your complete application will be presented to the Board of Examiners for approval and notification of the decision will be mailed to you within a week following the decision.

  • You must submit a complete application package with all registration documents and all material must be available to the Board 5 days prior to the Board meeting.
  • The Board meets monthly, eleven times a year.

If approved your name will be added to the Register of Social Workers and Social Worker Candidates within the week.

If your application is not approved you will be informed, in writing, of the Board’s reasons.

Pending review of your application by the Board, the Registrar may grant temporary registration for a period of up to 30 days. For more information about temporary status, please contact the office.

Translating Documents

Application documents that are not in English must be translated before they are submitted to the College.

You must provide your original documents plus a precise word-for-word translation in English. This must be a certified translation, accompanied by a cover letter from an accredited translator including:

  •  The exact name of the documents which have been translated.
  • The method by which the accredited translator received the documents.
  • Any comments about the accuracy of your documents.
  • The date of the translation.
  • The accredited translator’s identification number and/or seal.

Academic Qualifications

You are asked to list the academic qualifications you obtained from your social work program on the online application form.

  • Please contact the academic institution(s) you graduated from and request to have your original transcripts forwarded directly to the College.
  • A photocopy, fax or electronic copy of the documentation will not be accepted.

If your social work program has been submitted to the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) for an evaluation, ensure that the CASW forwards the written evaluation directly to the College. An official transcript from your academic institution is not required.

Registration Appeal

If the Board of Examiners refuses your registration, you will be notified in writing by the College’s Executive Director/Registrar with reasons and the Registrar’s proposal.

Within 30 days of receipt of the Registrar’s proposal, you may request a review of the Board of Examiner’s registration refusal.

If a review is requested, it will be conducted by a Registration Appeals Committee.

It may take several months before the committee begins your review. The length of time it takes for the Committee to render a decision depends on the unique circumstances of each individual’s application, additional information submitted on the review, and the Registrar’s proposal.

Read more about the registration appeal process

Fees

Annual Registration and Renewal Fee

The registration year begins January 1 and covers a twelve-month period, to be renewed annually. Fees for new members of the College who apply to NSCSW later in the year are prorated to reflect the date of approval to practice.

Initial registration fees for new applicants in 2023

Active Associate
January 1 – December 31 $445 $222
April 1 – December 31 $332 $167
July 1 – December 31 $222 $111
October 1 – December 31 $111 $57

First-time registration fees for new social workers are further reduced for recent graduates who apply to NSCSW within a year of completing their accredited social work program.

Private Practice Fees

  • The initial application fee for entitlement to engage in private practice is $50.
  • The additional annual fee to engage in private practice is $50.
Learn more about Private Practice Registration

Initial Application Fee

All Active or Associate Registered Social Workers, Social Worker Candidates and Registered Social Workers (Provisional) pay a $100.00 application fee. 

Other Fees

  • The fee for an examination of an applicant: $50
  • The fee for duplicate copies of receipts: $10
  • The fee for reinstatement (failure to pay fees): $100
  • The fee for reinstatement (from retirement or resignation): $25
  • The fee to assess international credentials (through the CASW – learn more here): $339.00

Quick Links:

Learn more about the application process for:

Canadian BSW/MSW
Another Canadian Province
United States BSW/MSW
International BSW/MSW

 Questions? Contact the College’s Regulatory and Applications Administrator Ogochukwu Okechukwu at ogochukwu.okechukwu@nscsw.org or call 902-429-7799 x 221.

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