The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) is continuing its work with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to implement entry-to-practice exams for applicants. We are now at the planning stage where we are in a position to share when exams will begin as a registration requirement.
Although we will begin implementing exams in late 2027 for certain applicant groups, the exam requirement for applicants who have graduated from an accredited social work or social service work program will begin in the fall of 2028.
This means that students who convocate in the fall of 2028 will be the first cohort to take the exam.
Phased approach to exam implementation
After careful consideration, the OCSWSSW will be taking a phased approach to exam implementation. This decision was informed by a thorough review of our implementation plan and feedback from our key engagement groups, including educators.
- Phase one of exam implementation – fall of 2027: Those applying for reinstatement of their certificate of registration and those applying through the equivalency stream will be required to successfully complete an entry-to-practice exam as a registration requirement.
- Phase two of exam implementation – fall of 2028: All applicants, including those who have graduated from an accredited social work or social service work program, will be required to successfully complete an entry-to-practice exam as a registration requirement.
Taking a phased approach will allow us to honour our commitment to educators and students to providing them with one academic year of advance notice before any exam requirement takes effect. All ASWB resources for students and educators for the updated social work exam, the social service work exam and the French versions of both exams will be available by the fall of 2027.
Virtual information session – April 7, 2026
We will be holding a virtual information session on exams for educators on April 7 from noon to 1:00 p.m.
Register for information session
This session will be for educators only, with a separate student-focused session coming in the fall.
Please visit the College website for more information.