How to Become a Social Worker in Alberta
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers to work as a social worker in Alberta or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker, Registered Social Worker
Show the source
“Only registered members may use the protected titles Social Worker or Registered Social Worker. To use the protected title Clinical Social Worker, registered members must meet additional requirements.”
From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/social-worker, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 2 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with ACSW
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
-
Select the registration pathway that matches your academic qualifications and professional status.
Source
“Choose the application pathway that applies to your academic qualifications and professional status”
acsw.ab.ca/applicants -
Review the application and documentation requirements and the fee schedule before applying.
-
New applicants start registered on the provisional registry.
Source
“New applicants begin on the provisional registry, progressing to the general registry after meeting supervised practice requirements, and if applicable, the social work licensing exam.”
acsw.ab.ca/applicants -
Complete supervised practice hours while registered on the provisional registry.
Source
“Supervised practice hours are completed after registration, while you are registered on the provisional registry. They are not completed before registration.”
acsw.ab.ca/faq-results -
After meeting supervised practice requirements, and if applicable the social work licensing exam, move to the general registry.
Source
“New applicants begin on the provisional registry, progressing to the general registry after meeting supervised practice requirements, and if applicable, the social work licensing exam.”
acsw.ab.ca/applicants
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with ACSW
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
Select the labour mobility applicant pathway if you are currently regulated in another jurisdiction.
-
Review the application and documentation requirements and the fee schedule before applying.
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with ACSW
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
Select the internationally educated applicant pathway if your social work degree was earned outside of Canada or the USA.
-
Review the application and documentation requirements and the fee schedule before applying.
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with ACSW
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
Registration as a Social Worker requires a diploma or degree from an approved social work program.
Source
“Registration as a Social Worker requires a diploma or degree from an approved social work program.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/social-worker
Police check
A criminal record check produced within the last three months must be valid when the registration application is processed.
Source
“We accept criminal record checks produced within the last three months. It must be valid when your registration application is processed.”
acsw.ab.ca/faq-results
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages name a labour mobility applicant pathway but do not state whether registration is based on the existing licence without extra assessments or exams.
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with ACSW
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with ACSW
Exams
-
social work licensing exam
Source
“New applicants begin on the provisional registry, progressing to the general registry after meeting supervised practice requirements, and if applicable, the social work licensing exam.”
acsw.ab.ca/applicants
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with ACSW
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with ACSW
Supervised practice
Required
Supervised practice hours are completed after registration, while registered on the provisional registry. Source
“Supervised practice hours are completed after registration, while you are registered on the provisional registry. They are not completed before registration.”
acsw.ab.ca/faq-results
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $23.97 | $39.60 | $51.24 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $25.00 | $38.46 | $50.26 | — |
Social workers in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Licence required
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Licence required
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Social Worker: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/social-worker · fetched October 10, 2026
- Applicants - ACSW Website acsw.ab.ca/applicants · fetched October 10, 2026
- ACSW Website acsw.ab.ca/faq-results · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a social worker in Alberta?
Yes. Registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers is required to practise in Alberta, and to use the title Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker or Registered Social Worker.
Which exams are required?
social work licensing exam.
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