FAQ

Navigate the application process using NLCSW’s FAQ for New Applicants Module. This module addresses many of the common inquiries received from new applicants

THE ONLINE APPLICATION

New applicants can email registration@nlcsw.ca to request access to MyNLCSW.ca.  You will receive an email containing a temporary registration number and a computer- generated password.

Supported browsers include Internet Explorer 10 or greater, Edge, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. 

This is likely a browser issue. We recommend trying another browser and/or another computer.

The ‘next’ button at the end of each step of the application process acts as a save button.  When you log back in, the information you inputted prior to clicking the ‘next’ button should be saved.

Once you click ‘save & submit’ on the payment step, a ‘submission complete’ message will appear on your screen.  You will also receive an email indicating your application has been received.

Once you have completed the application, you can no longer log back in using the temporary registration number that was provided. Any changes to the application can be forwarded by email to registration@nlcsw.ca.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
The Social Workers Regulations which accompany the Social Workers Act require applicants to submit proof of identity as part of the application process. Social workers are required to hold a registration to practice which is consistent with their government issued identification. 

 

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. Based on these requirements, a current driver’s license or passport would be considered acceptable proof of identity. A workplace ID or MCP card would not be considered acceptable proof of identity.
As detailed in the question/answer above, social workers are required to hold a registration to practice which is consistent with their government issued identification. This is the name that would need to be reflected as part of the personal information step of the online application.
 
However, NLCSW recognizes that there are circumstances when individuals use a name other than their legal name. Some examples include individuals who use their initials, a middle name, a shorter version of their name, are in the process of transitioning to another gender, or use another name within their cultural context. Registered social workers who refer to themselves by another name and have not legally changed their name should advise clients both verbally and in writing of their legal name. They can also advise clients of another name that they use. This can be indicated as in the following example:
 
Verbally: My name is Sidney Smith however I am referred to/my preference is Sage Smith.
Written: Sidney (Sage) Smith RSW

A personal email is recommended as it will likely remain consistent from year to year. NLCSW regularly communicates with registrants via email. Once registered, email addresses provided as part of the registration process are used to distribute NLCSW’s monthly Update, continuing education opportunities, annual registration renewal details, etc.

REFERENCES

The main stipulation is that references supplied be professional as opposed to personal.  A professional reference is someone who can speak to your work and/or volunteer experience in the social work field.

EDUCATION

Social work in Newfoundland and Labrador is regulated under provincial legislation titled An Act Respecting the Practice of Social Work (Social Workers Act).  As per the Act, a bachelors, masters, or doctoral degree in social work from an accredited educational institution is required for registration.  Additional information regarding educational requirements for applicants educated in Canada, the United States, or outside Canada/US, can be found under the applicant menu.

We understand that in some circumstances, individuals may need to register with NLCSW prior to convocation. For this reason, NLCSW can accept confirmation directly from the university, either by email or mail, that all academic requirements for the social work degree have been met. With this confirmation and provided that all other paperwork/fees have been submitted, registration can be issued pending receipt of official transcripts. To continue registration as a social worker, official transcripts would need to be ordered within one month following the date of convocation.

The Social Workers Regulations which accompany the Social Workers Act require applicants who have graduated from an accredited social work program more than 3 years ago and have never been registered to successfully complete the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam as a condition of active registration. Details regarding the exam process are available under ASWB exam sub-menu

CERTIFICATE OF CONDUCT/POLICE CHECK WITH VULNERABLE SECTOR INQUIRY

Prior to moving, contact the police force in the municipality of your current place of residence. They can advise regarding any residency requirements related to the issuing of such documentation.

The RNC is only for applicants residing in North East Avalon, Corner Brook, and Labrador West. If you reside outside of these areas, you would need to contact the RCMP.
 
 
More information regarding the RCMP application process is available at Criminal record checks | Royal Canadian Mounted Police (rcmp-grc.gc.ca). 
FEES
The total fee is $500 which includes a $100 non-refundable application processing fee and $400 active registration fee. The registration fee is prorated to half for new applicants after October 1 of a given registration year. This prorated fee does not apply to applicants who were previously registered as a social worker in Newfoundland and Labrador and let their registration lapse.
 
The full fee is payable on the payment step of the online application using either Visa or MasterCard.

Yes. An official receipt that can be used for tax purposes will be forwarded to the email address at the time of application processing.

APPLICATION PROCESSING

Once your application has been processed, you will receive an official receipt via email.  The official receipt will include your permanent 4-digit registration number.  This number, along with the previously issued password, will be used to log into MyNLCSW.ca going forward. The Social Worker Registry feature on NLCSW’s website will also be updated automatically upon processing.

A new members kit containing your official registration certificate will also be mailed to the home address provided during the application process.

NLCSW has a retention policy in place which dictates when documents submitted by new applicants who do not complete the process of registration are destroyed or deleted. The following retention timelines apply:

  • Criminal records checks are valid for three months from the date the document was issued.
  • University transcripts are kept on file for one year. 
  • Verification of registration documents are kept on file for one year. 
  • Language testing results will remain on file with NLCSW for two years from the date of testing.
  • CASW international equivalency assessments will remain on file with NLCSW for two years from date of issue.
  • Proof of identity will be destroyed when the last of any of the above listed documents are deleted or shredded.

Registrants can create a password directly on the MyNLCSW.ca login page by clicking on ‘forgot my password’.  If you can input the email address which matches the one in the NLCSW database, you will receive an email with a password reset option.  If you are unable to provide an email which matches, you will be asked to supply your date of birth and your password reset request will be redirected to NLCSW staff.

In addition to the application and annual online renewal which is completed through MyNLCSW.ca., the system also offers registrants the ability to update changes in contact, education, and work information throughout the registration year. 

An ‘Update My CPE’ feature is also available which permits registrants to record completed Continuing Professional Education (CPE).  A transfer button on the CPE step of the annual online renewal process allows registrants to seamlessly transfer over information recorded under this feature.
 
Finally, registrants can retrieve their tax receipt directly through MyNLCSW.ca.
ANNUAL ONLINE RENEWAL

Registrants will automatically receive details regarding renewal by email in mid-January each year. The deadline to complete online renewal is February 15 (midnight Island time).

Detailed information is available under the CPE section of the Social Workers Menu. This submenu contains a link to the CPE policy as well as a CPE self assessment tool, examples of CPE and much more.

Courses completed as part of the BSW degree cannot be claimed as CPE as completion of the BSW degree is required as the baseline for registration.

Over the course of a given registration year, NLCSW offers a range of CPE opportunities, covering topics that are applicable across practice settings. Details regarding upcoming CPE are available under the CPE section of the Social Workers menu.  All CPE offered by NLCSW via webinar are recorded and available for viewing on NLCSW’s YouTube channel.

There is no fee for registrants to attend NLCSW CPE events.
 
All NLCSW CPE events falls under the required workshop category.  The workshop category applies whether the event was attended live, or a recorded webinar was viewed.
 

Information regarding external sources of CPE can be found under the CPE section of the Social Workers Menu. This page is continually updated, and registrants are encouraged to visit it regularly.

GENERAL

Since 1992, provincial legislation has required registration with NLCSW to practice social work in NL.  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.

The definition of social work as defined in the Social Workers Act is broad and applies to a wide range of positions, not just those titled ‘social worker’.  It is important to reflect on the following question – Are you using your social work knowledge, skills, and abilities in the job?  If the answer is yes, you are employed in social work.

The Social Workers Regulations which accompany the Social Workers Act  requires applicants who have been previously registered as a social worker but let their registration lapse for 3 years or more to successfully complete the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam as a condition of active registration.Details regarding the exam process are available under ASWB exam sub-menu.

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