Internationally Educated Applicants

If you are internationally educated (outside Canada and the United States) and would like to register with the College, please read the following information. You will then be directed to the appropriate area of our website, depending on your academic credentials, where you may download an application form, a Registration Guide, and, if applicable, a Supplemental Form.

If you would like more information about the social work and social service work professions in Ontario, please visit the About Social Work and About Social Service Work pages.

The College has the following requirements regarding citizenship, language proficiency and translation of documents:

Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate the ability to speak and write either English or French with reasonable fluency. If you answer “No” to all 6 questions, you are required to undertake additional language proficiency testing and ensure the testing agency submits the scores directly to the College.

Translation of Documents: If your documents (for example, academic records) are in a language other than English or French, you will need to have these documents translated.

Citizenship: You must be a Canadian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Canada, or be authorized under the Immigration  and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to engage in the practice of social work or social service work in Ontario. If you answer “Other”, please provide further information with your application form. The College may contact you for further information.

If you are authorized under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to engage in the practice of social work or social service work in Ontario you must submit with your application form a copy of your valid work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The Internationally Educated Social Work Professionals Program at Ryerson University

The Internationally Educated Social Work Professionals Bridging Program offers a Certificate in Canadian Social Work Practice to prepare internationally educated social work professionals with training and previous experience to work in the social services sector in Ontario. The program is offered once each year as a part time program from September to June. The program includes degree credit courses, a practicum placement, profession specific communication and job search supports. 

A person who meets the registration requirements for registration with the College, has completed the Certificate in Canadian Social Work Practice and applies for registration in the College no later than December 31st of the year in which they obtain or will obtain their Certification in Canadian Social Work Practice is eligible for a $100 exemption of the registration fee. The member is also exempt from $100 of the membership fee for the two years of membership immediately following the year of registration provided the member pays the membership fee no later than the date the membership fee is due.

Attending the IESW program IS NOT a requirement for registration with the College.

Click IESW program at Ryerson, for more information.

Career Map for Social Work and Social Service Work

With the Ontario government’s commitment to facilitating the entry of internationally educated professionals into the workforce, the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration’s Labour Market Integration Unit has developed career maps for many regulated professions. Career Maps provide individuals with information that will help them navigate the Ontario/Canadian employment system and assist them once they arrive in Canada.

The College, in conjunction with the Ministry, developed a career map for the professions of social work and social service work. The document provides detailed information regarding the two professions, the mandate of the College and the requirements for internationally educated professionals to register with the College.

REGISTERING AS A SOCIAL WORKER

With a social work degree:
If your academic credentials in social work were completed outside Canada and the U.S., please visit the Graduates of Social Work Programs Outside Canada and the United States page for more information.

Without a social work degree:
If your academic credentials are not in social work, please visit the Graduates of non-accredited Social Work Programs or Graduates of Degree Programs that are not in Social Work page for more information.

REGISTERING AS A SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER

Internationally educated applicants who would like to register as a social service worker must submit a combination of academic qualifications and experience for the Registrar’s consideration and determination that is substantially equivalent to the qualifications required for a diploma in social service work offered in Ontario at a College of Applied Arts and Technology. Please visit the Graduates of other Academic Programs that are not in Social Service Work page for more information.