SWSSWA Amendment: Use of the Title “Doctor”

The College wishes to inform you of a recent amendment to the Social Work and Social Service Work Act (SWSSWA), concerning the use of the title “doctor”.

Effective October 1, 2010, the amendment to the SWSSWA will permit a member of the College who holds an earned doctorate in social work, to use the title “doctor”, a variation, abbreviation or an equivalent in another language in the course of providing or offering to provide, in Ontario, health care to individuals, if he or she complies with certain conditions.

A member is not required to contact the College to determine whether they are able to use the title “doctor”. However a member must use the title “doctor” in accordance with the SWSSWA, and the By-laws and Policies approved by the College.

For further information, please refer to the Communication to Members of OCSWSSW Regarding Use of the Title “Doctor” document by visiting the following link: www.ocswssw.org/docs/doctortitle.pdf