Registrants in the Full or Clinical class of registration can transfer to the Non-Practising class if they are not practising social work. The Non-Practising class is suitable for registrants taking a leave from social work practice (e.g. maternity leave, sick leave).

Non-Practising Class of Registration

While in the Non-Practising class, registrants:

• cannot practise social work
• can only represent themselves as a Non-Practising registrant

To transfer to the Non-Practising class, complete the following form and submit to the College by email, fax or mail:

•  Non-Practising Declaration

Returning to Practice (Transferring from Non-Practising to Full or Clinical Class)

Before returning to active social work practice, Non-Practising Registrants must apply to return to practice by completing and submitting a Return to Practice Declaration along with the applicable transfer fee by email, fax or mail. There are three different Return to Practice Declaration forms as follows. Use the right form based on the number of years you have been in the Non-Practising class.

• If you have been in the Non-Practising class for less than 1 year, use the following form:
  • Return to Practice Declaration – Less than 1 Year in Non-Practising Class

• If you have been in the Non-Practising class for 1 or more years but less than 5 years, use the following form:
  • Return to Practice Declaration – 1-5 Years in Non-Practising Class

• If you have been in the Non-Practising class for 5 or more years, use the following form:
  • Return to Practice Declaration – 5 or More Years in Non-Practising Class

Registrants who have been in the Non-Practising class for anywhere between 1-5 years must meet mentoring/supervision requirements upon returning to practice. These mentoring/supervision requirements differ depending on the number of years a registrant has been in the Non-Practising class.

Registrants who have been in the Non-Practising class for 5 or more years must pass the licensure exam.

Registrants who have been in the Non-Practising class for less than 1 year are not required to arrange for any mentoring/supervision when they return to the Full or Clinical class.

The abovementioned requirements are outlined in section 44.1(2) and 44.1(3) of the College bylaws:

(2) A registrant who applies to change from non-practising registration to full or clinical registration and has been in the non-practising class must arrange for and receive mentoring or supervision as follows

(a) between one and two years registration in the non-practising class, not less than 6 hours mentoring or supervision within the first 3 months of return to practice;

(b) between two and three years registration in the non-practising class, not less than 12 hours mentoring or supervision within the first 4 months of return to practice;

(c) between three and four years registration in the non-practising class, not less than 18 hours mentoring or supervision within the first 5 months of return to practice;

(d) between four and five years registration in the non-practising class, not less than 24 hours mentoring or supervision within the first 6 months of return to practice; and

(3) A registrant who applies to change from non-practising registration to full or clinical registration and has been registered in the non-practising class for five or more years must complete the licensure examination as determined by the board under section 41(1)(d) of the bylaws.