Temporary Registration

Purpose of the Temporary Registration Class

The temporary registration class is intended for use by out-of-province social workers, already registered or licensed in the equivalent of the full or clinical class of registration with a statutory social work regulatory body in another jurisdiction in Canada or the United States, only in the following circumstances:

1. Emergency Situations:
   1. To allow an out-of-province social worker to practice in British Columbia during emergencies, including but not limited to:
      1. Public health emergencies;
      2. Natural disasters (e.g., floods, wildfires, or other extreme weather events that disrupt local services);
      3. Mass casualty incidents; and/or
      4. Evacuations.
2. Client Transitions:
   1. To enable out-of-province social workers to facilitate the transition of clients moving to British Columbia. This includes providing short-term support to assist clients to integrate into social work services located in British Columbia and ensure continuity of care.

Requirements for Temporary Registration

To qualify for temporary registration, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Be of Good Standing: 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).
2. Education and Experience: 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.
3. Criminal Record Check Clearance: 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.

Applicants who meet the above criteria, may be granted temporary registration for an initial period of up to 90 days to practice in British Columbia. In accordance with the bylaws, the registrar may renew the temporary registration once for an additional period of up to 90 days, upon receipt of a completed and satisfactory renewal application, which must include a detailed description on why the Applicant needs to renew their temporary registration in British Columbia. The Registrar has the sole discretion to accept or reject the application to renew the temporary registration of the Applicant.

Limitations of Temporary Registration

Individuals with Temporary Registration in British Columbia are not permitted to provide any clinical social work services as defined in the Bylaws, on-going telehealth services or regular virtual appointments to   residents of British Columbia. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in investigation and disciplinary action by the inquiry committee of the BCCSW.

Assessment and Oversight

Temporary Registration will only be granted in circumstances where the Registrar has completed a thorough assessment of the circumstances for the Temporary Registration application and there is an urgent need for out-of-province socials workers to support residents in British Columbia.

The BCCSW may review the activities of temporary registrants to ensure compliance with this policy. Any violation of this policy may result in immediate revocation of temporary registration, without notice to the social worker operating with Temporary Registration.

Fees

Application fee: $167.00

Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00

Annual registration fee: $0

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