Active Registration

Social work in Newfoundland and Labrador is regulated under provincial legislation titled An Act Respecting the Practice of Social Work (Social Workers Act).  Registration with NLCSW grants the Registered Social Worker (RSW) designation which is required to use the title social worker or to practice within the scope of the social work profession in this province. 
 

Benefits of active registration include:

 

·         A license to practice social work in Newfoundland and Labrador 

·         Affiliation with the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW)

·         Continuing Education opportunities

·         Access to ethical consultations

·         Access to valuable practice resources

·         Opportunity to promote and contribute to the social work profession through membership in NLCSW committees
 

 

NEW Applicants for the 2023-24 registration year (March 1, 2023 - February 28, 2024) must submit all of the following: 
 

  • Completed online application through MyNLCSW.ca including submission of all applicable fees. This includes a $100 non-refundable application processing fee plus $400 active registration fee.  The fee is prorated for first time registrants after October 1 of a given registration year.  Please contact registration@nlcsw.ca for details required to access MyNLCSW.
     
  • Proof of identity as part of the personal information step of the online application.  Acceptable proof of identity includes current government issued photo identification which includes the date and year of birth of the applicant.  The photo identification must be issued in the same name as the application for registration.
     
  • Criminal record certificate/check with vulnerable sector check issued by the relevant police force. Records issued in paper format can be mailed to NLCSW's mailing address; electronic format can be emailed to registration@nlcsw.ca. 

    Applicants From Within Canada:
    A criminal record certificate/check with vulnerable sector check from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or another police force located in the municipality of the applicant's place of residence. The certificate/check must have been produced by the relevant police force within the last 3 months.

    Applicants From Outside Canada: 
    A police certificate issued by the federal government for immigration to Canada. More information is available on the Government of Canada website.
     
  • Official confirmation of social work education issued directly by the relevant university or international equivalency rating program. Confirmation issued in paper format can be mailed to NLCSW's mailing address; electronic format can be emailed to registration@nlcsw.ca. 

    Applicants Educated in Canada:
    Official transcripts indicating a bachelors, masters or doctoral degree in social work from a university accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) or the National Indigenous Accreditation Board (NIAB).

    Applicants Educated in the US:
    Official transcripts indicating a masters degree in social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) OR
    Official transcripts indicating a bachelors degree in social work accredited by the CSWE including proof of a minimum of 700 hours of field placement.

    Applicants Educated Outside Canada/US:
    International equivalence to a bachelors or masters degree accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE). The assessment of international credentials for equivalency is completed by the Canadian Association for Social Workers (CASW). Further information regarding the process is available on the CASW website.
     
  • If English is not your first language, please click here for more information

 

APPLICANTS WHO HAVE BEEN REGISTERED AS A SOCIAL WORKER IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION MUST ALSO SUBMIT: 
 

  A completed verification of registration form. 

 

ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORK BOARDS (ASWB) RE-ENTRY TO PRACTICE EXAM:
 

  • The Social Workers Regulations which accompany the Social Workers Act require applicants in the following categories to successfully complete the ASWB exam as a condition of active registration:

    Applicants who have been previously registered as a social worker but let their registration lapse for three years or more: For previous  registrants in NL, the three years is counted from the date that social work registration in NL expired. Registration expires annually on  February 28th.  For those registered previously with another regulatory body, three years is counted from the date that the registration  with that regulatory body expired as indicated on the verification of registration form.

    Applicants who have graduated from an accredited social work program more than three years ago and have never been registered: The three years is counted from the date the degree was conferred as indicated on the official degree transcript. 
     

  • Exam Resources:

    Exam process: This NLCSW graphic provides a breakdown of the steps required to write the exam as well as some general exam information. PLEASE NOTE: ASWB is currently transitioning to a new exam administrator. Please contact the NLCSW office to obtain more information regarding Step 3 of the exam process. 

    Exam Guidebook: Learn everything you need to know about taking an ASWB social work licensing exam. 

    Online Practice Test: ASWB offers full-scale online practice tests for purchase. The tests are available for registered exam candidates only. 
     

FAQ New Applicants:   
 

A detailed FAQ module is available at FAQs | NLCSW.  This module addresses many of the common inquiries received from new applicants.
 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The registrar can consult with the NLCSW Registration Committee regarding the assessment of applications for registration in accordance with Section 20 (2) of the Social Workers Act. The Registration Committee is comprised of 7 registered social workers appointed by the NLCSW Board of Directors.

Appeals of the decision of the registrar concerning registration are heard by the NLCSW Board of Directors.
 

REINSTATEMENT:

Individuals who reapply for social work registration within the first year after their registration has lapsed must meet requirements for reinstatement including:

• Completion of the online reinstatement application including submission of all applicable fees, and

• Submission of an original certificate of conduct with vulnerable sector inquiry completed within the last three (3) months.

Please contact registration@nlcsw.ca for details required to access MyNLCSW.