An applicant may be granted temporary registration by the Registrar for a period of up to 90 days if the individual (i) is in good standing in a full, practicing class with a regulatory body governing the practice of social work in Canada or the United States; and (ii) holds a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work awarded by an academic program approved by the Board.

The temporary class of registration is primarily used by those out-of-province social workers that need registration in British Columbia on a temporary basis for the purpose of helping with emergency situations (e.g. COVID-19, earthquake, wildfire, flood) or providing online or telehealth service to their clients in British Columbia.

• The registration of a person who has been granted temporary registration may be renewed once for an additional period of up to 90 days.
• A temporary registrant may only represent themselves as a temporary registrant.
• A temporary registrant may practice social work as if they were a full registrant, subject to any terms, limits or conditions imposed by the registration committee on the practice of temporary registrants as a class.
• A temporary registrant may practice social work as defined in the British Columbia Social Workers Act, but may not undertake clinical social work (diagnosing mental disorders).

For information on how to apply for temporary registration, please email info@bccsw.ca.