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Licensing: Social Workers – Canada

 

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Canadian Social Workers

In Canada, social worker legislation is the responsibility of the provinces/territories. The actual rules vary from province to province, so it is recommended that you contact the provincial regulatory body, in the province you wish to work, directly to confirm the actual requirements.

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Social Workers from the US or Mexico

Like Canadian social workers, US and Mexican social workers will need to obtain a provincial licence before being allowed to practice in Canada. See the Canadian requirements above for more information.

Visa information: Social workers are covered under NAFTA. If you are a citizen of the USA or Mexico, you are eligible for a visa. Permanent Residents of the USA or Mexico are not eligible under NAFTA.

You can obtain an Employment Authorization (NAFTA Professional Status) from any Canadian port of entry, US-Canadian border crossing, or Canadian Consulate (or in Canada, if you are already in the country as a visitor). No sponsorship is required. Job Offer Validation is not required. However, you will still need to provide proof of an offer of employment from your employer in Canada. You must also meet the minimum education, experience, and licensing Requirements set for your profession.

Your documentation* you present must indicate:

• the professional level activity you will carry out
• your job title
• summary of your job duties
• starting date and expected length of temporary stay
• arrangement for remuneration.

*This documentation can include: a signed contract between you and an employer; a letter from your prospective employer confirming that employment has been offered and accepted; a letter from your current employer stating that you are entering another NAFTA member country to render services pursuant to a signed contract between your employer and an enterprise in that country.

The duration of the Employment Authorization is set for an initial period of one year. An unlimited number of one-year extensions may be subsequently obtained so long as you can show that the employment remains temporary, and that you continue to be qualified to work in your profession.

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Social Workers from Outside North America

Social workers from outside the North America have the same licensing requirements as social workers from the US and Mexico. For more information, please see above.

Visa information: You are required to have a Canadian Employment Authorization before being allowed entry and employment in Canada. Sponsorship is often required. Please contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate to inquire about obtaining an Employment Authorization.

You can also find more information at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

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Canadian Provincial Social Work Regulatory Bodies and Associations

CASW/ACTS, A, B, M, N, O, P, Q, S, Y

Canadian Association of Social Workers/Association Canadienne des travailleuses et travailleurs sociaux

Tel: 613-729-6668

Fax: 613-729-9608

Email: casw@casw-acts.ca

Web: Canadian Association of Social Workers/Association Canadienne des travailleuses et travailleurs sociaux


Alberta College of Social Workers

Tel: 780-421-1167 or 1-800-661-3089 (in Alberta only)

Fax: 780-421-1168 or 1-866-874-8931

Email: brenda@acsw.ab.ca, monica@acsw.ab.ca, or acsw@acsw.ab.ca

Web: Alberta College of Social Workers

Note: This is the regulatory body and association for the province.


Board of Registration for Social Workers in British Columbia

Tel: 604-737-4916

Fax: 604-737-6809

Email: brsw@brsw.bc.ca or susan.irwin@brsw.bc.ca

Web: Board of Registration for Social Workers in British Columbia

Note: This is the regulatory body for the province.


British Columbia Association of Social Workers

Tel: 604-730-9111 or 1-800-665-4747 (BC only)

Fax: 604-730-9112

Tel: bcasw@bcasw.org

Web: British Columbia Association of Social Workers

Note: This is the association for the province.


The Manitoba Association of Social Workers and The Manitoba Institute of Registered Social Workers

Tel: 204-888-9477

Fax: 204-831-6359

Email: Web-based contact form

Web: The Manitoba Association of Social Workers and The Manitoba Institute of Registered Social Workers

Note: These are the regulatory body and association for the province.


New Brunswick Association of Social Workers/L'Association des travailleurs sociaux du Nouveau-Brunswick

Tel: 506-459-5595

Fax: 506-457-1421

Email: nbasw@nbasw-atsnb.ca

Web: New Brunswick Association of Social Workers/L'Association des travailleurs sociaux du Nouveau-Brunswick

Note: This is the regulatory body and association for the province.


Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers

Tel: 709-753-0200

Fax: 709-753-0120

Email: info@nlasw.ca

Web: Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers

Note: This is the regulatory body and association for the province.


The Association of Social Workers of Northern Canada

Tel: 867-920-4479

Email: president@socialworknorth.com

Web: The Association of Social Workers of Northern Canada

Note: The Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon do not currently maintain a regulatory body for social work, however the ASWNC continues to work towards some form of regulation of social work practice in the territories. This association is for the three territories.


Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers

Tel: 902-429-7799

Fax: 902-429-7650

Email: nsasw@nsasw.org

Web: Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers

Note: This is the regulatory body and association for the province.


Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers/Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des techniciens en travail social de l'Ontario

Tel: 416-972-9882 or 1-877-828-9380

Fax: 416-972-1512

Email: info@ocswssw.org or registrar@ocswssw.org

Web: Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

Note: This is the regulatory body for the province.


Ontario Association of Social Workers/L'Association des travailleuses et travailleurs sociaux de l'Ontario

Tel: 416-923-4848

Fax: 416-923-5279

Email: info@oasw.org

Web: Ontario Association of Social Workers

Note: This is the association for the province.


Prince Edward Island Social Work Registration Board

Tel: 902-368-7337

Note: This is the regulatory body for the province.


Prince Edward Island Association of Social Workers

Tel: 902-368-7337

Fax: 902-368-7080

Email: vrcadmin@isn.net

Note: This is the association for the province.


Ordre professionnel des travailleurs sociaux du Québec

Tel: 514-731-3925 or 1-888-731-9420 (in Québec)

Fax: 514-731-6785

Email: info.general@optsq.org

Web: Ordre professionnel des travailleurs sociaux du Québec

Note: This is the regulatory body and association for the province.


Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers

Tel: 306-545-1922 or 1-877-517-7279 (in Saskatchewan)

Fax: 306-545-1895

Email: sasw@accesscomm.ca

Web: Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers

Note: This is the regulatory body and association for the province.


The Association of Social Workers of Northern Canada

Email: president@socialworknorth.com

Web: The Association of Social Workers of Northern Canada

Note: The Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon do not currently maintain a regulatory body for social work, however the ASWNC continues to work towards some form of regulation of social work practice in the territories. This association is for the three territories.


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Updated on August 21, 2007.

 

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