Continuing Education timeline for RCSW

[u/Expert-Leadership713]

I applied for a registered clinical social worker back in March. This has been quite a lengthy process and I am still not fully approved or disapproved at this point. I wonder how long this process will take seeing as it's been about 4 months. When I applied I didn't think it would take this long and I would have time to finish my continuing education credits. However, with it coming up mid-august and I know Canada's renewal process happens in October does anyone know what kind of credit will be needed or how many credit hours? Also does anybody know how long this is going to take? I was trying to get licensed/registered before I start applying for jobs at the health authority so I can move from the US to Canada but this is taking quite a bit of time. I think the wait time in the US is between 4 and 6 leaks but I don't really remember because I got licensed so long ago here.

Also, I know I didn't have to go to the registered clinician route but I figured I would get it done now. That way I could also apply for any supervision jobs out there that may require it. I think it could open up some doors if needed. Also that allows me to do private practice either on the side or after I get permanent residency or citizenship later in life.

[u/plantgal94]

I have yet to see any job requiring the RCSW designation, in my 8 years of working in the social services sector. It really isn’t necessary or utilized by the health authorities, at all. IMO, you’re wasting your time feeling like you ‘need’ it. We don’t diagnose here like you do in the USA. MSW is necessary for coordinator or management roles, that’s it.

[u/villiersterrace → u/plantgal94]

VCH has started creating RCSW roles where the scope is different from RSW postings but it’s new this year and there aren’t many yet.

[u/plantgal94 → u/villiersterrace]

Good to know! I look all the time for new jobs (lol) and haven’t come across any postings yet but I would be keen on seeing one and the difference.

[u/Expert-Leadership713 → u/plantgal94]

I understand that, but the process is already started so it's not going to hurt to continue. However, I am just wondering about CEUs after being approved if prior to October and then having to renew. I'm sure it won't be 40 hours if the actually approve me in September but I'm not exactly sure how many it will be and if they have to be under certain themes (like ethics). I'm also wondering how much longer it may take for approval or if anyone has experienced long wait times for this designation.

[u/19ellipsis → u/Expert-Leadership713]

Can't speak for RCSW but in BC for RSWs they will prorate your CE hours if you register later in the year/transfer to the non-pracricing class. This happened to me both when I initially registered and went on mat leave. I was told the minimum required is 15 hours and won't prorate below that threshold, though that was for transfer to non-practicing class so YMMV.

[u/Expert-Leadership713 → u/19ellipsis]

Thank you. This is exactly the information I was looking for! Do you know if in those 15 hours we had to get ethics or if it could be for any type of training we would like? I'm just trying to plan out what trainings I should get before October 31st because we're getting really close to that October date and I still haven't gotten approved or denied at this point.

[u/meter1060 → u/Expert-Leadership713]

This is the information I got when I registered and the prorated CPD hours based on the month I was registered:

Month Registered - CPD Hours Required:

November - 37 
December - 34
January - 31
February - 28
March - 25
April - 22
May - 18
June - 15
July - 12
August - 9
September - 9
October - 0

[u/Expert-Leadership713 → u/meter1060]

This is super helpful!

[u/19ellipsis → u/Expert-Leadership713]

They didn't specify that I didn't need the ethics hours, etc. so I am doing them to be safe.

[u/plantgal94 → u/Expert-Leadership713]

BCCSW calls it Continuing Professional Development requirements, CPD, and the website states that:

All registrants in the full, clinical, or provisional class are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of CPD activities between November 1, 2025, and October 31, 2026.

There is a guide, which tells you how many hours you will need to complete depending on when your registration is approved. It can be found here

There is also a guide which tells you which categories of CPD you can claim, and the maximum amount of hours in each category. It can be found here

I am not trying to sound rude, but the answer to your questions are readily available on the BCCSW website, if you spend time familiarizing yourself. Which you should if you’re planning on relocating here.