Retired Registrant

As of January 1, 2018, amendments to the Registration Regulation O. Reg. 383/00 which include the creation of a new retired class of certificate of registration came into effect.

If you wish to apply to the retired class of certificate of registration, download and complete the following:

Is the retired class right for you?

College registrants who are no longer practising social work or social service work and do not intend to return to practice, will have the option to apply for a retired class of certificate of registration.

College registrants who wish to apply for a retired class of certificate of registration should meet the following criteria:

  • No longer practising social work or social service work (including part-time or on a volunteer basis).
  • Do not intend to return to practice in the future (including part-time or on a volunteer basis).

Important Note: Registrants in the retired class will not be able to move back into the general class unless they re-apply to the College and meet all of the registration requirements. Prior to moving into the retired class, registrants will be required to complete an application form, and indicate that they will comply with the requirements set out in the regulation and do not intend to return to practice.

Value of registration in the retired class

When you become a registrant in the retired class, you remain part of the community of social workers and social service workers across Ontario which is professional, ethical, qualified and accountable.

Registration with the College says something important about the professions of social work and social service work as a whole, and also about you as an individual registrant.

Registrants in the retired class of certificate of registration will be able to:

  • Use the protected titles “social worker,” “registered social worker,” “social service worker” or “registered social service worker” immediately followed by “retired” in English or “retraité” in French.
  • Hold themselves out as a retired social worker or retired social service worker.
  • Participate in College events, such as the Annual Meeting and Education Day and the Educational Forums.
  • Receive communications from the College through College publications including the Perspective newsletter and eBulletins.
  • Vote in the election of Council members.

Information regarding scope of practice

The retired class of certificate of registration is meant for registrants who no longer practise social work or social service work and do not intend to return to practice. The following resources may assist you in understanding the scope of practice of the two professions and determining what activities would be considered social work or social service work practice.

It should be noted that activities that may fall under the scope and may be considered as related to the practice of the professions include those that are:

  • paid or volunteer
  • full-time or part-time
  • direct or indirect
  • clinical or non-clinical

Process to apply for the retired class of certificate of registration

Registrants who wish to move into the retired class will be required to:

Registrants in the retired class will not be required to participate in the Continuing Competence Program (CCP).

Important Note: Registrants in the retired class will not be able to move back into the general class unless they re-apply to the College and meet all of the registration requirements. Registrants who are not currently practising but intend to return to practice in the future may wish to apply for a certificate of registration in the inactive class.

Please contact the College’s Registrant and Renewal Services for more information at info@ocswssw.org or call 416-972-9882 or 1-877-828-9380 (toll free):

  • Paul Cucci, Registrant and Renewal Manager, ext. 202.
  • Anne Vézina, Membership Administrator (bilingual), ext. 211.
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