Canadian · British Columbia · Professional Licensing
BCCSW social worker lookup: check a BC RSW.
The BC College of Social Workers publishes definitions of every registration class and status beside its public register. This page translates them so the result of a search is not a guessing game.
In British Columbia only people registered with the College, or employed by an exempt employer under the Social Workers Regulation, may call themselves social workers, and only registrants may use the title RSW. The register shows a registrant number, class, status and effective and expiry dates. A search returns at most 50 records in randomized order, so fill in every field you know.
Search limits, columns and the privacy note
The College’s register page explains that, as a security measure, a maximum of 50 records can be searched at once and the order of results is randomized. It advises you to enter all known fields for a more accurate search. The results table has columns for Registrant No., Registrant, Registration, Status, Effective and Expires, and icons for Has conditions and Disciplinary actions.
The register also warns that it is a search service for professional purposes, not a mailing list: the information is not to be used for commercial, marketing or fundraising purposes. It adds that listing an area of practice and contact information is optional for registrants, so a blank contact field says nothing about registration.
Open the BCCSW public register
The register is hosted on the College’s Alinity public directory, with the class and status definitions printed above the search.
Five classes of registration
The register page defines the classes. Full is a registrant authorized to use the title Registered Social Worker (RSW) and practise social work as defined in the Social Work Act. Clinical is authorized to use Registered Clinical Social Worker (RCSW) and may also practise clinical social work as defined in the College bylaws. Provisional registrants use the title Provisional RSW, may practise only in a supervised setting, may not engage in private practice and may not do clinical social work. Non-Practising registrants must call themselves Non-Practising RSW (or RCSW) and must not do any work, employment or volunteering within the scope of social work practice. Temporary registrants use the title Temporary RSW and practise as a full registrant would, subject to any terms, limits or conditions set by the Registration Committee, but may not practise clinical social work.
Six statuses, and only some mean “allowed to practise”
The status list is more detailed than a simple yes or no. In Good Standing means the registration is not under suspension and the authorization to practise is not otherwise restricted by terms, limits or conditions under Part 3 of the Social Workers Act. Active with Limitations means actively registered and authorized, but subject to restrictions or conditions such as additional supervision, modified duties or restrictions on certain types of work. Cancelled means the person failed to renew by the deadline and is no longer a registrant but may reinstate during the reinstatement period. Closed means they also missed the reinstatement deadline and must submit a new application. Not in Good Standing (CPD) means the registrant did not complete continuing professional development requirements by the deadline and is not in good standing until they do. Suspended means the registration has been temporarily revoked for disciplinary action or failure to comply with requirements, and the person may not practise or use the professional title.
The practical point is that Cancelled and Closed are different. A Cancelled registrant can still reinstate; a Closed one must reapply. A person showing either is not currently a registrant.
The title is protected, and the exemption is real
The College says that in British Columbia only registrants, or people employed by an exempt employer under the Social Workers Regulation, may call themselves social workers, and that using the RSW title without registration or exemption is an offence. It also says exempt employees may not use RSW. This explains a common puzzle: someone may legally have the job title social worker at a government or other exempt employer without appearing on the register, while still not being entitled to RSW. Ask which one applies.
Why a fresh search matters
The page says to search the register at the time the information is required because it is continuously updated: statuses change through the year and new registrants are added. A screenshot from last spring is not evidence of good standing today. If you cannot find the person, the College lists an email (info@bccsw.ca) and a phone number on the register page.
A worked example (hypothetical)
An employer in Surrey is hiring a “Jordan Example” (made up) who says they are an RSW, and wants to check before the start date. This describes no real person.
Enter the surname and first name on the register. If the class is Provisional, the title is Provisional RSW and a supervised setting is required, which matters if the job description mentions private practice. If the status is Not in Good Standing (CPD), the person has missed continuing professional development requirements and is not in good standing until they are fixed, so the offer letter should say so. If the status is Cancelled, ask whether they plan to reinstate within the reinstatement period; if Closed, a new application is needed. If there is no match and Jordan says they work for an exempt employer, the employer, not the register, should say whether that exemption applies. Record the date you searched.
What this page does not cover
- It does not run the register search or store what you type; there is no form on this page.
- It does not state a registrant-number format, because the register only labels the column.
- It does not decide whether an exemption under the Social Workers Regulation applies to a given job.
- It does not cover Alberta or Ontario social workers, who have their own registers.
- It does not rate counselling quality or interpret discipline outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check whether someone is a registered social worker in BC?
Use the public register of the British Columbia College of Social Workers (Verify a Social Worker). Enter all known fields; a search returns at most 50 records in randomized order.
What does RSW mean?
Registered Social Worker. The College says only registrants may use the title RSW and that using it without proper registration or exemption is an offence.
What is the difference between Full and Clinical registration?
Full registrants use RSW and practise social work as defined in the Social Work Act. Clinical registrants use RCSW and may also practise clinical social work as defined in the College bylaws.
What does Provisional RSW mean?
A Provisional registrant may practise only in a supervised setting, may not engage in private practice and may not undertake clinical social work.
What is the difference between Cancelled and Closed?
Cancelled means the person missed the renewal deadline but may reinstate during the reinstatement period. Closed means they also missed the reinstatement deadline and must submit a new application.
What does Not in Good Standing (CPD) mean?
The registrant failed to complete continuing professional development requirements by the deadline and is not in good standing until the requirements are fulfilled.
Can someone be called a social worker in BC without being on the register?
The College says employees of an exempt employer under the Social Workers Regulation may call themselves social workers, but they may not use the title RSW.
Does TNAADO verify social workers?
No. This page explains the register definitions and links to it. It does not look anyone up or collect anything.
Sources
Retrieved
- British Columbia College of Social Workers: Public Register (classes of registration, statuses, record limit, search guidance)
- British Columbia College of Social Workers: home page with the Verify a Social Worker link and contact details
Official register and regulator pages only. Each link was opened on the retrieval date and the facts above were read from it. The register itself is the authority.
Guide only — not a verification tool
This page explains a public register and links to it. TNAADO does not check anyone’s licence or registration, does not copy or proxy the register, and collects nothing you might look up. Nothing here is an official verification or professional advice. Details above were read from the regulator’s own website on 20 October 2026 and can change; always rely on the official register.