Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers demonstrates a commitment to professional, ethical, qualified and accountable practice.
Social work and social service work members of the College:
- have met specific registration requirements;
- follow a code of ethics and standards of practice;
- engage in ongoing learning through the College’s Continuing Competence Program (CCP); and
- are accountable through the College’s rigorous complaints and discipline processes.
“In good standing” is a term that generally refers only to a member who has paid their membership fees and whose certificate of registration is not suspended.
The term does not indicate whether the member has had a finding of professional misconduct made against them or has terms, conditions or limitations imposed on their certificate of registration; that information can be found in a notation on the College’s Register.
Title protection
According to the Social Work and Social Service Work Act (SWSSWA), only registered members can use the following protected titles:
- “social worker”
- “registered social worker”
- “social service worker”
- “registered social service worker”
Registration with the College is also required if an individual represents or holds themself out as a social worker or social service worker in Ontario.
Find a social worker or social service worker
As mandated by the SWSSWA, the College maintains a Register which lists all registered social workers and social service workers in Ontario and includes information regarding a member’s registration status, discipline history (if any) and terms, conditions and limitations (if any) and their employer contact information.
To find a registered social worker or registered social service worker, consult the College’s Register.