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FAQ

Navigate online renewal using NLCSW’s FAQ Registration Renewal Module. This module supplements the Question & Answer section of NLCSW’s CPE Policy and addresses many of the common inquiries from social workers and non-practicing members.  

ACCESS

Online renewal can be accessed directly at MyNLCSW.ca.  If accessing the system through NLCSW’s website, there is a yellow MyNLCSW button located at the top of the homepage.

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

You will need your NLCSW registration number and password. For those renewing for the first time, your password would have been issued by email as part of the initial application process.

Registration numbers are available throughout the year using the online member search available on the NLCSW website.  Also, the MyNLCSW.ca login page offers a Forgot my Registration Number feature whereby you can type in your name and the registration number matching your name is automatically generated.

From the login page of MyNLCSW.ca, you can click on the Forgot my Password link. You will be required to enter the email address NLCSW has on file for you. You will receive an email at this address providing you with instructions to specify your own password. If the email address you type does not match NLCSW’s records, you have the option to input another email address or enter your date of birth and a request will come to NLCSW staff to email your password to you.

 
To ensure there are no delays in the renewal process, we recommend that members create their own unique password using the Forgot my Password option through MyNLCSW.ca in advance of annual renewal.

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ANNUAL RENEWAL
The deadline to renew is midnight February 15 (Island time) after which a $50 late fee is applied.  An additional $50 late fee (for $100 in total) is applied to renewals received after the legislative deadline of February 28.
 

No.  Renewal details will be automatically emailed in mid-January.  You can update the email address on file with NLCSW at anytime during the year using the Update My Profile option available through MyNLCSW.ca.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Under the full name section of the personal information step, there is a ‘change’ button available which provides the ability to upload current government-issued photo identification containing your new name (e.g., driver’s license).  This information can also be updated at any point during the registration year using the Update My Profile feature available through MyNLCSW.ca.
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
ACTIVE REGISTRATION OR NON-PRACTICING MEMBERSHIP
A non-practicing membership is available as an option only at renewal for current RSWs and non-practicing members who will not be engaged in the practice of social work in Newfoundland and Labrador as defined by the Social Workers Act due to being on extended leave, residing in another jurisdiction or not working.  Employment in a related or unrelated field or practicing social work in NL electronically while residing out of province does not qualify for non-practicing membership.  Non-practicing members are not eligible to use the title social worker, registered social worker or to engage in the practice of the profession in Newfoundland and Labrador.
If your leave starts before March 1, you may choose to:
  • Option 1: Renew as a registered social worker 
  • Select the active registration option as part of Step 2 of online renewal. The fee for active registration is $400. This option permits you to return to practice anytime during the registration year without any delay or having to meet any other requirements.
  • Option 2: Renew as a non-practicing member

  • Select the non-practicing membership option as part of Step 2 of online renewal. The fee for non-practicing is $200. This option permits a conversion to active registration at any point during the registration year by completing the online application to switch from non-practicing to active which includes payment of the $200 fee difference.

  • Non-practicing members are not eligible to use the title social worker, registered social worker or engage in the practice of the profession.
  • Option 3: Registration Lapse
  • Select the Not Renewing My Current Membership located on the Welcome page following MyNLCSW login. Your registration status will be switched to inactive as of March 1. 
  • If you return to practice during the registration year, you will need to complete the online reinstatement form which includes payment of the $500 fee and submit an original certificate of conduct with vulnerable sector inquiry (must be dated within 3 months from the date of application). 
  • Registrants considering an extended registration lapse are encouraged to review re-entry to practice provisions found under the registration lapse menu on the NLCSW website. 
 

Yes.  If your leave starts after March 1, you are required to renew your active registration.  The Social Workers Act covers both title and scope of practice which means that anyone who is employed in a position titled social worker or practicing within the scope of the profession are required to renew their registration even if they only intend to practice for a short period during the registration year.

This statement reflects a common misconception that a position needs to be titled social worker to be considered employed in social work.  As a first step, it is important to reflect on the following question – Are you using your social work knowledge, skills, and abilities in the position?  If the answer is yes, you are employed in social work.


Non-practicing is not an option as it is only available to those who are not working in any capacity, on extended leave, or residing in another jurisdiction.
CPE (CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION)
The transfer button is used to transfer over credits recorded throughout the registration year using the Update My CPE feature available through MyNLCSW.ca.  We encourage all members to use this feature throughout the registration year to streamline the renewal process.  If you did not avail of the Update My CPE feature during the registration year, you will need to manually enter your CPE hours as part of the CPE step.

While NLCSW strongly encourages the annual submission of CPE credits for all non-practicing members, this membership can be maintained indefinitely without the submission of CPE credits for those not seeking a return to active practice.  Effective March 1, 2019, there are re-entry to practice requirements for non-practicing members with no membership lapse returning to active social work practice.  Detailed information is available under the non-practicing membership sub-menu on the NLCSW website.

One CPE credit equals one hour spent in a CPE activity. Social workers can claim credit to the nearest .5 credit (30 minutes).

Any activity that maintains, develops, or promotes your social work knowledge, skills, and abilities qualifies for CPE credits under the policy.

 
The CPE policy was designed to cover a broad range of activities and to provide flexibility in meeting the annual CPE requirement.  As the policy is expansive, there can be a degree of professional judgment involved when determining if and where an event fits under the policy.
 
In terms of the distinction between required vs elective credits, it is important to consider 1) if it is enhancing your social work skills and 2) is transferable across the profession.  If the answer to both is yes, it would tend to fall under required.
 
All CPE offered by NLCSW falls under required (e.g., all NLCSW webinars would fall under workshops).
 
For more information, please consult the CPE Policy sub-menu on the NLCSW website. This submenu contains a link to the policy as well as a CPE self assessment tool, examples of CPE, sources of CPE, and an accreditation breakdown for the CYFS training modules.

A maximum of 20 required credits can be carried from the current to the next registration year under the following circumstances:

  • More than 40 CPE credits have been submitted on the renewal form
  • Of these 40, there are more than 20 in the required category
  • It is important to note that only required credits can be carried forward.
Carry over is calculated automatically as part of the CPE step of online renewal.

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.

The audit of CPE credits is included as part of the annual registration renewal process. The audit is conducted to confirm a registrant’s compliance with the continuing education requirements outlined in Section 7 of the Social Workers Regulations. The audit is also conducted to gain knowledge about the range of CPE events in which social workers are participating and to guide refinement of the CPE policy. Five percent of registered social workers are randomly audited annually. If a registrant is randomly selected for an audit, completion of the audit is a requirement for renewal of registration.
 
Social workers who have been selected for an audit will be notified by email when annual renewal opens. Audit details would be submitted as part of the CPE step of online renewal and would include listing the hours, titles, and dates of CPE completed during the preceding registration year. Any registrant who has availed of the Update My CPE feature during the registration year would be able to transfer the information recorded under this feature as part of the CPE step of online renewal. The information recorded under the Update My CPE feature meets audit requirements.
In advance of annual renewal, registered social workers are encouraged to connect with NLCSW staff to discuss any issues related to completion of CPE credits.
 
Proration of CPE credits is available to first time registrants and registered social workers who were on leave (e.g., maternity leave, sick leave) during the registration year.  The purpose of proration is to recognize that in a given registration year, a social worker may be unable to meet the minimum CPE requirements because of circumstances related to leave.  Prorating of credits refers to calculating the minimum required credits in proportion to the period of the year during which the registered social worker was working. Registered social workers who work part time or were unemployed during the registration year are not eligible for proration of credits.
 
If a member is not eligible for proration, a request for waiver or deferral of credits can be submitted at the time of registration renewal in the CPE section of online renewal.
 
Waiver of CPE credits may be granted to registered social workers who are not eligible for proration but who have been prevented from completing the required minimum credits because of exceptional circumstances.  Waiver of CPE credits refers to absolving the registrant from having to complete any further CPE for the previous year of registration.  A request for waiver of CPE should include the nature and duration of the circumstances that prevented completion of the required minimum credits.
 
Deferral of CPE credits may be granted to registered social workers who are not eligible for proration or waiver of the required minimum credits.  Deferral of CPE credits refers to delaying the completion of the required minimum credits until a designated time during the upcoming registration year. Deferred credits are completed in addition to the required minimum 40 credits, for that upcoming year.  A request for deferral of CPE should include a plan and time frame for completion of the remaining required credit hours.

The proration formula breaks down as follows:

40 CPE credits annually/12 months = 3.3. credits per month
 
8 months worked/4 months leave = 8 x 3.3 = 26 CPE credits
26/2 = 13 required CPE credits as a minimum, the remaining balance may come from the required or elective categories.
EDUCATION

The NLCSW office will accept a copy of the degree, a letter from the registrar’s office or a copy of the transcripts indicating that the MSW has been conferred. This can be uploaded directly as part of the education step. This information can also be updated at any point during the registration year using the Update My Profile feature available through MyNLCSW.ca.

PAYMENT

The current active renewal fee is $400. The non-practicing membership fee is $200.

Online payment options include Visa or MasterCard.

 
Payroll deduction is also an option through the Government of NL, regional health authorities and some community agencies.  Those who avail of payroll deduction are pre-identified in the online system.  Please note that payroll deduction fees are collected one year in advance.  If you are not currently availing of payroll deduction but wish to consider it for future renewals, we recommend you connect with your payroll department for more information.

Scroll up to the top of the screen to see if an error message is displayed.  Confirm you are using one of the accepted methods of payment displayed on the payment step.

A license to practice social work is issued for the duration of a registration year.  Therefore, the registration fee is not prorated.

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