Inactive Class of Certificate of Registration

The inactive class of certificate of registration is for registrants in good standing who need to temporarily withdraw from practice for a minimum of six months.

There are various reasons why a registrant may want to enter the inactive class, including:

  • Parental leave (including maternity leave)
  • Long-term illness or disability
  • Long-term leave of absence
  • Temporary relocation outside of Ontario
  • Return to school

NOTE: Registrants in the inactive class must still complete their annual renewal, pay the renewal fees and complete the Continuing Competence Program (CCP).

Eligibility

Registrants can apply for an inactive class of certificate of registration if they are:

  • Registered in the general class.
  • Not in default of any obligation to the College, including payment of the annual fee.
  • Not the subject of any pending or ongoing disciplinary proceeding.

Considerations Before Applying to the Inactive Class

If a registrant moves into the inactive class:

  • They are not entitled to practise social work or social service work.
  • They are not able to use the protected titles or designations unless they are immediately followed by “inactive” in English or “inactif” in French. Example: Jane Doe, RSSW, Inactive

To apply for registration in the inactive class, log into the Online Portal and click on “Request Status Change” under the “Request” tab. For more information, click on the sections below.

Applying to the inactive class

To apply for the inactive class of certificate of registration, log into the Online Portal, click on “Request Status Change” under the “Request” tab and select the “Inactive Class” application.

Important note on fees for registrants applying to the inactive class during the renewal period:

  •  Registrants who apply to move into the inactive class during the renewal period must still renew their registration after their application has been accepted.
  • If a registrant applies to the inactive class during the renewal period but the start date is in the future, the renewal fee will not reflect the change in status and the registrant will have to pay the full general class renewal fee. Once the registrant moves into the inactive class, the renewal fee will be prorated and the registrant will be issued a refund based on the quarter that they move into the inactive class.
  • If a registrant has already renewed their registration and paid the general renewal fee and then applies to move into the inactive class, the College will prorate their renewal fee based on the quarter that they move into the inactive class and will be issued a refund.

Please note: The status change to the inactive class will take effect on the date selected on the application.

Once the application has been approved, a notation indicating that the registrant holds an inactive certificate of registration and is not currently allowed to practise will be noted on the Online Register. This information is available to the public.

Renewing an inactive certificate of registration

Registrants holding an inactive class certificate of registration must still:

  • Renew their certificate of registration every year, on or before December 31st.
  • Pay the inactive class annual fee.
  • Participate, on an annual basis, in the Continuing Competence Program (CCP) and, at any time required by the College, provide evidence satisfactory to the College that they have completed the CCP.

To renew an inactive class of certificate of registration, follow the same steps as you would to renew a general certificate of registration. More information can be found on the Annual Renewals webpage.

Inactive class fees

The annual fee for the inactive class is $200. However, the fee can vary depending on the following circumstances:

Partial year inactive status

  • If a registrant holds an inactive class of certificate of registration for only a portion of the year, their total annual fee will be prorated between the inactive certificate fee ($200) and the general class certificate fee ($400).
  • The proration will be based on the amount of time spent in each class of certificate of registration during the year.

New graduates moving to inactive status

  • If a new graduate registrant becomes an inactive registrant within their first two years of registration, they will be required to pay the $200 fee for the inactive class.
  • The eligibility period for the new graduate annual fee will not be extended if the registrant moves to the inactive class during the initial two-year period.

Fee schedule

Quarter when the status change takes placeAnnual fees
First quarter (January 1-March 31)Q1 – Active = $100
Q2-4 – Inactive = $150
Total = $250
Second quarter (April 1-June 30)Q1 -Q2 – Active = $200
Q3-Q4 – Inactive = $100

Total = $300
Third quarter (July 1-September 30)Q1-Q2-Q3 Active – $300
Q4 – inactive – $50
Total = $350
Fourth quarter (October 1-December 31)Considered active for full year – $400

Questions?

Contact the College’s Registrant and Renewals Department: