FAQs – Social Work and Social Service Work Titles and Designations

As an employer, it is your responsibility to perform due diligence when hiring a social worker or social service worker. The College regularly receives notices from employers about individuals who were hired to work with vulnerable populations as social workers or social service workers, only to find that they are not registered with the College. The College also receives notices of individuals using false names during and after the hiring process.

Many of these serious issues could have been detected if the employer in question checked the Online Register and, if applicable, flagged the job applicant to the College prior to hiring.

Q: Who can use the protected titles “social worker” and “social service worker”?

A:  Only individuals who are registered with the College can use the protected titles “social worker” and “social service worker” and their French equivalents and acronyms.

It is illegal for individuals not registered with the College to use the protected titles or mislead others into believing they are a social worker or social service worker. Not only does this put the public at risk, it creates a reputational risk and the potential for other serious consequences for your organization.

Q: Can our employees use the title “clinical social worker,” or can we refer to our employees as “clinical social workers”?

A: No. The Registration Regulation O. Reg. 383/00 made under the Social Work and Social Service Work Act sets out only two categories of registration in Ontario: social work and social service work.

Some provinces, such as Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, do have a distinct registration category for “clinical social worker” that is different from “registered social worker.” In these jurisdictions, clinical social workers hold advanced clinical certifications and/or meet other requirements that permit them to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) independently in order to make a mental health diagnosis. These titles are also often used by social workers regulated in the United States.

Q: Our new employee has applied to the College but is not yet registered. What titles can they use?

A: Individuals who have applied to the College but are not yet registered cannot use any of the protected titles, even if they add the word “applicant” or “qualifying” after the title. They can, however, list their educational qualifications, for example: Sarah Doe, Bachelor of Social Work; John Smith, Certificate in Social Service Work.