A Registered Social Worker from another province may find it easier to become registered as a social worker in Nova Scotia if you are already registered as a social worker with one or more Canadian social work regulatory authorities. Applicants will need to provide a letter of good standing from your regulatory authority and complete the following application process.
Under a legitimate objective held by the Nova Scotia Government under the CFTA, applicants who are currently registered as social workers by the Alberta or Saskatchewan social work regulatory authorities, who do not hold a degree from a CASWE accredited program, will be evaluated individually and when required, additional requirements will be imposed and/or practice restrictions until the registrants successfully demonstrate the competence to practice the full scope of social work practice as described in the Social Work Act.
Applicants from a CASWE accredited program will have their credentials assessed and reviewed by the Board of Examiners. Based on the information provided in your application, the Board will determine your registration status as a Registered Social Worker or Social Worker Candidate.
All applications must still include the following documentation:
To be completed in the Application Portal:
- Completion of online application form accompanied by a non-refundable $100.00 application fee.
- Consent to release of information to the employer concerning the status of your application.
- The names and email addresses of two references. The forms will be automatically emailed to your references for completion through the application portal.
- Current Resume
- Job description (if employed)
Mail an original copy to the College:
- A letter of good standing from the provincial regulatory body you are moving from.
- University transcript (BSW/MSW) sent from the University directly to the NSCSW
Or
A letter sent from the University Registrar’s office directly to the NSCSW confirming completion of BSW/MSW degree program (if you are awaiting convocation) - Criminal Record Check (contact local police or visit)
- If you are residing outside Nova Scotia, forms may be made available through the province’s child welfare agency or government department. If the province does not conduct a child abuse check, please note this in your application and assure that the police include a vulnerable persons’ check.
Mailing address: 1888 Brunswick St., Suite 700, Halifax, NS B3J 3J8
Member classes
The Board of Examiners will determine if an applicant is eligible to be placed on the Registry of Registered Social Workers. Eligibility for the Registry of Registered Social Workers is outlined in section 22 of the Social Workers Act and further defined in Section 8 of the regulations.
A person is eligible for Registered Social Worker status if they have completed a CASWE accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree or a Masters of Social Work Degree or equivalent and an additional 2500 hours of practice experience post-graduation that falls within the scope of practice (Social Worker Act Section 5(a)).
An applicant who has not completed 2500 hours of practice experience post-graduation will be considered a Social Worker Candidate and placed on the Social Worker Candidate Registry, and must complete all or part of the Candidacy Mentorship Program based on their previous experience.
For details on the Candidacy Mentorship Program, visit .
Applicants may use the to start an application, add new information or check on the status of their application.
Questions?
Information about the Board of Examiners’ policies and processes can be found in our Application and Renewal Policy Manual.
The Board of Examiners receives administrative support from the College’s Regulatory and Applications Administrator, Ogochukwu Okechukwu. If you have questions about applying for registration, you can reach Ogo by phone or email:
Telephone: (902) 429-7799 x 221
Email:
