How to Become a Registered Social Worker in British Columbia
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the BC College of Social Workers to work as a registered social worker in British Columbia or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“A regulator is a provincial or federal statutory body that requires an individual to hold membership, accreditation, licensing or registration to be authorized to work in a specific occupation. … BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW) … Registered Social Worker”
From privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca/students/career-occupations-o..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 1 step
- Licensed in another province: 0 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 8 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCSW
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 1 done
- 1 step without a listed fee
-
Applicants with social work degrees must successfully complete the licensure exam before being granted registration.
Source
“Applicants with social work degrees, regardless of where the degree is from, will be required to successfully complete the exam prior to being granted registration.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/licensure-exam/who-must-write-the-exam
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with BCCSW
1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
Steps not listed by the regulator Check with BCCSW
Trained outside Canada
0 of 8 done
- 8 steps without a listed fee
-
Applicants must have their international credentials assessed by an approved credential evaluation service, which sends a basic report directly to the College.
Source
“International credentials are required to be assessed by any of the credential evaluation service providers approved by the College’s Registration Committee by arranging for a basic report sent to the College directly by one of the approved credential evaluation service providers.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/full-registration/re... -
Applicants must have their current or past supervisor complete sections of the Application Supplement 2 – Practice Experience Assessment to confirm the required social work experience.
Source
“Please arrange for your current or past supervisor to complete the Section 2 and 3. This information is crucial in determining if the applicant meets the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) requirements as well as the 700 hours of social work experience.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/full-registration/re... -
Applicants must provide an up-to-date resume that includes all relevant social work experience.
Source
“Please provide an up-to date resume that includes all relevant social work experience, including practicum placements, volunteer work, and paid positions.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/full-registration/re... -
Applicants must arrange for two character references to be sent directly to the College by referees who have known them for over one year and are not relatives.
Source
“Two letters of reference on the forms provided sent directly to the College via mail or email by the Referees (refer to the website for the correct form). Please note: Referees must have known the applicant for over one year and not be a relative.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/full-registration/re... -
Applicants who are or have been registered with another regulatory body must have each body submit a Verification of Registration/Licensure form to the College.
Source
“Applicants, who are currently or have been in the past registered with another regulatory body, are required to have this form submitted by each regulatory body.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/full-registration/re... -
Once all required documents are received, the College reviews the application through a substantial equivalency assessment and, if it meets the requirements, emails the applicant approval to take the ASWB licensure exam.
Source
“Once all of the required documents have been received, the College will review the application in its entirety through a substantial equivalency assessment. If it is determined that the application meets the registration requirements, the applicant will receive an email from the College notifying that they have been approved to take the licensure exam by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/full-registration/re... -
After receiving the exam approval email, the applicant registers for the exam through the ASWB.
Source
“After receiving the exam approval email from the College, the applicant can register for the exam through the ASWB.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/full-registration/re... -
Once exam registration is complete, ASWB sends an Authorization to Test and the applicant can schedule an exam appointment at a designated test centre.
Source
“Once registration for the exam is complete, ASWB will send the applicant an Authorization to Test. When the applicant receives this authorization, they can schedule an appointment for the exam through the test centre designated by ASWB.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/full-registration/re...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with BCCSW
8 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Application fee: $175.35
Source
“Application fee: $175.35”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/temporary-registration - Criminal Record Check Fee: $28
Source
“Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/temporary-registration
Requirements
Education
The education qualification is graduation with a degree in social work, or an equivalent credential, from an academic program approved by the Board.
Source
“The qualification for education is graduation with a degree in social work (or credential equivalent to a degree in social work) from an academic program approved by the Board.”
bccsw.ca/douglas-collegeApplicants without a social work degree from an approved program must demonstrate substantial equivalency in seven subject areas.
Source
“Applicants must demonstrate substantial equivalency in seven subject areas: Social Welfare, Social Policy, Social Work Ethics, Social Work Practice, Social Work Theory, Human Behaviour and Development, and Research Methods.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/full-registration/re...
Experience
Applicants must provide evidence of not less than 700 hours of social work experience.
Source
“Applicants must provide evidence of not less than 700 hours of social work experience. This requirement is typically met by completing two practicums as part of their bachelor’s degree in social work.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/full-registration/re...Temporary registration applicants must possess at least a bachelor's degree in social work and evidence of a minimum of 700 hours of social work practice.
Source
“Applicants must possess at least a bachelor’s degree in social work and provide evidence that a minimum of 700 hours of social work practice has been completed by the applicant.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/temporary-registration
Police check
Temporary registration applicants must provide a criminal record check authorization to receive clearance from the Criminal Records Review Program.
Source
“Applicants must provide BCCSW with a criminal record check authorization to receive a criminal record check clearance from the Criminal Records Review Program of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, confirming clearance to work with minors and vulnerable adults.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/temporary-registration
Good character
Temporary registration applicants must be in good standing with a social work regulatory body from another Canadian jurisdiction or another jurisdiction approved by the Board.
Source
“Applicants must be in good standing with a social work regulatory body from another Canadian jurisdiction or other jurisdiction approved by the Board (i.e. Licensed Social Workers from the United States).”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/temporary-registration
Other
Applicants for full, clinical and provisional registration must demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English to the satisfaction of the Registration Committee.
Source
“Applicants for full, clinical and provisional registration must demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English to the satisfaction of the Registration Committee.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/full-registration/re...
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
A registered social worker with a social work degree or equivalent registered in an equivalent class in another Canadian jurisdiction may move to BC without having to meet the examination requirement. Source
“Under the provision of the Agreement on Internal Trade and other labour mobility agreements, the College cannot impose additional education or examination on an applicant who is registered in an equivalent class in another Canadian jurisdiction.”
bccsw.ca/for-applicants/licensure-exam/who-must-write-the-exam
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCSW
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCSW
Exams
Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCSW
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCSW
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCSW
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with BCCSW
Demand and pay
No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.
Registered social workers in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Career Occupations and Other Regulators | Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca/students/career-occupations-o... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Who Must Write the Exam? – bccsw.ca bccsw.ca/for-applicants/licensure-exam/who-must-write-the-exam · fetched October 10, 2026
- Applicants with a degree outside of Canada or the USA – bccsw.ca bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/full-registration/re... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Douglas College – bccsw.ca bccsw.ca/douglas-college · fetched October 10, 2026
- Temporary Registration – bccsw.ca bccsw.ca/for-applicants/apply-for-registration/temporary-registration · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
1
Do you need a licence to work as a registered social worker in British Columbia?
Yes. Registration with the BC College of Social Workers is required to practise in British Columbia.
Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too
Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.
Schedule a CallFree consultation. No commitment.