Registration Fees

Annual fee for registration renewal

The registration year begins January 1 and covers a twelve-month period, to be renewed annually.

The fees for social worker registration in 2023 are:

• Active member: $445
• Private practitioner: $495 (see below)
• Associate: $222
• Retired associate: $50
• Electronic practice from outside NS: $50

Members must complete all steps of the renewal process – including payment – before continuing to practice social work in each new year.

New applicants

Initial application fee

The application fee for registration as an active or associate Registered Social Worker, Social Worker Candidate, Registered Social Worker (Provisional) or Registered Social Worker (Telepractice) is $100.00.

First-time registration fees

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. (This does not apply to social workers in other jurisdictions who have applied for electronic practice with clients in NS).

Initial registration fees for 2023 applicants

Reduced fees for recent graduates

New social workers who apply for registration within a year of their graduation from an accredited school of social work will pay a reduced fee for their initial registration. These fees are also prorated from the date of approval to practice. (This does not apply to social workers in other jurisdictions who have applied for electronic practice with clients in NS).

Initial registration fees for recently graduated applicants in 2023

Private practitioner fees

The initial application fee for entitlement to engage in private practice is $50.

Private practitioners pay an additional annual fee of $50 to engage in private practice. When added to the $440 annual fee for active members, this brings their total registration renewal fee to $493 for 2022 (and $495 for 2023).

Student members

Student members who are not yet registered as social workers pay a one-time membership fee of $10. This membership does not need to be renewed annually, and may remain valid until the year of their graduation.

Registered Social Workers and Social Worker Candidates who are upgrading their education should switch their member class to associate if they will not be practicing social work while in school.

Other fees

• Examination of an applicant: $50
• Duplicate copies of receipts: $10
• Fees for reinstatement
  • Reinstatement fees for late renewal of annual registration (including late payment) are graduated —
    • under a week past the renewal date: $25 
    • over a week late: $50
    • over two weeks late: $75
    • over three weeks late: $100
  • Reinstatement from retirement or resignation: $25