Retired Registrant

Registrants can apply for a retired class of certificate of registration through their profile on the Online Portal.

Is the retired class right for you?

College registrants can apply for a retired class of certificate of registration if they:

  • No longer practise social work or social service work (including part-time or on a volunteer basis); and
  • 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. 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.

Before moving into the retired class, registrants must complete an application through their profile on the Online Portal and confirm 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 professional, ethical, qualified and accountable community of social workers and social service workers across Ontario.

Registrants in the retired class of certificate of registration can:

  • 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 intended 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.

Activities that may fall under the scope of practice and could 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

  • Complete an application that can be accessed in their profile on the Online Portal.
  • Confirm that they will comply with the requirements set out in the regulation and do not intend to return to practice.
  • Pay a $50 annual fee.

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

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).

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