A registrant in the general class of certificate of registration may want to become a registrant in the inactive class of certificate of registration because they will not be practising social work or social service work on a temporary basis. There are many reasons for temporary withdrawal from practice which may include the following:
- parental leave (including maternity leave)
- long-term illness or disability
- long-term leave of absence
- temporary move out of Ontario
- return to school
Registrants in the inactive class pay a reduced annual fee. However, they are still a College registrant and subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the College, which includes mandatory participation in the Continuing Competence Program.
Considering becoming a registrant in the inactive class? Read the following information before applying:
A registrant must submit an application for an inactive certificate of registration at least 60 days before they intend to stop practising. For this reason, inactive registration would not likely benefit a registrant who intends to withdraw from the practice of social work or social service work for less than six months.
Only registrants in the general class of certificate of registration can engage in the practice of social work or social service work in Ontario.
Becoming a registrant in the inactive class would not likely benefit a registrant who is actively looking for employment as a social worker or social service worker, as they are required to submit an application to return to the general class of certificate of registration at least 60 days before they begin work.
BECOMING A REGISTRANT IN THE INACTIVE CLASS
A registrant who wants to apply for an inactive class of certificate of registration must meet the following requirements:
- The registrant must be registered in the general class.
- The registrant must be a registrant in the general class who is not in default of any obligation to the College, including payment of the annual fee.
- The registrant must not be the subject of any pending or ongoing disciplinary proceeding.
- The registrant must apply for an inactive certificate of registration through their profile on the Online Portal at least 60 days before they intend to stop practising.
- The registrant must pay any outstanding fees owed to the College, including any annual fee owed for the current year, penalty or other amount.
The College will review the registrants’ application to the inactive class once it is submitted. If the College is satisfied that the registrant meets the requirements, they will be notified that they have been issued an inactive certificate of registration. A notation indicating that the registrant holds an inactive certificate of registration will be noted on the Online Register. This information is available to the public.
A registrant who holds an inactive certificate of registration must not:
- Engage in the practice of social work or social service work in Ontario.
- Use the titles or designations reserved for registrants of the College who hold a general certificate of registration unless the title or designation is immediately followed by “inactive” in English or “inactif” in French.
- Example: Jane Doe, RSSW, inactive
A registrant who holds an inactive certificate of registration must still:
- Complete their annual renewal of registration each year.
- Pay the annual fee for registrants in the inactive class.
- 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.
FEES FOR A REGISTRANT WHO BECOMES A REGISTRANT IN THE INACTIVE CLASS
The annual fee for a registrant who holds an inactive certificate of registration is $200. If a registrant who is a new graduate becomes an inactive registrant during the first two years of their registration, they will pay the inactive certificate of registration fee. The length of time that a new graduate registrant is eligible for the new graduate annual fee will not be extended if they become an inactive registrant during the first two years of their registration. If a registrant is an inactive registrant for only part of a year, the total amount payable for the year will be prorated between the inactive certificate fee and the general class of certificate fee. Registrants who pay their general class of certificate annual renewal fee and then submit an application for an inactive certificate will not receive a refund for renewal fees they already paid.
RETURNING TO GENERAL CLASS OF CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION
A registrant who holds an inactive certificate of registration can be issued a general class of certificate of registration again if they submit an application through their profile on the Online Portal at least 60 days before they intend to start practising. The registrant must also pay any fees they owe to the College before they are issued a general class of certificate of registration. The fees they will owe will be prorated between the inactive certificate fee and the general class of certificate fee.
A registrant who has held an inactive certificate of registration for more than five years and wants to be issued a general certificate of registration again must also confirm that they are currently competent to practise social work or social service work. After the College receives their application, the registrant will be contacted to provide additional information that shows that they are competent to practise social work or social service work.
If the College is satisfied that a registrant in the inactive class meets the requirements to be issued a general certificate of registration, they will inform the registrant. A notation indicating that the registrant holds a general certificate of registration will be posted on the College’s Online Register. This information is available to the public.
A registrant in the inactive class cannot resume practising or use any of the titles or designations without being immediately followed by “inactive” or “inactif” before they are issued a general certificate of registration. It is considered professional misconduct to not follow these rules and a registrant may be referred to the Discipline Committee for a hearing for failing to comply with the conditions imposed on their inactive certificate of registration.
Additionally, a registrant in the inactive class who is found to have resumed practising before being issued a general certificate of registration will owe the College the annual fee for the general class of certificate of registration, and a penalty of $50, for each relevant year.