Electronic social work services involve the use of computers (including the Internet, social media, online chat, text, and email) and other electronic means (such as smartphones, landline telephones, and video technology) to:
- provide information to the public
- deliver social work services to clients
- communicate with clients
- manage confidential information and case records
- store and access information about clients
- arrange payment for professional services
Social workers from other Canadian jurisdictions who wish to engage in electronic social work practice with clients in Nova Scotia will have to verify their credentials with NSCSW beforehand, and are responsible for knowing current regulations and practice standards that exist in this province, and adhering to additional requirements as appropriate.
The titles Registered Social Worker and Social Worker Candidate and the practice of social work are regulated in Nova Scotia through the Social Workers Act and is subject to the Social Workers Regulations. For information about the standards specific to electronic social work practice, review Standard 9: Technology & Storage of Files from the NSCSW Standards of Practice, and the published by the National College of Social Workers and College of Social Work Boards.
Telepractice criteria
Residents of other jurisdictions who wish to engage in electronic social work practice with clients in Nova Scotia must be registered members in good standing in the other jurisdiction based upon criteria for registration which is equal to the criteria in this province. Specifically, individuals must hold a bachelors, masters or doctoral degree in social work accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education, the Council on Social Work Education or international equivalent and possess a clear certificate of conduct.
Further information about the criteria for social work registration in Nova Scotia is available at nscsw.org/applicants.
Application process
To apply to our College for entitlement to engage in electronic social work practice from outside Nova Scotia, the social work regulatory body in your jurisdiction must verify your status directly with our College.
- Download the Electronic Social Work Form from our website.
- Complete the first half of the verification section (page one)
- Read and complete the declaration section (page two)
Provide the partially completed form to the social work regulator in your jurisdiction, so they can complete the remainder of the form before they send it to our College.
Before engaging in private practice in Nova Scotia, social workers in other jurisdictions must also ensure that they hold a professional liability insurance policy with adequate coverage for the provision of electronic social work services in Nova Scotia.
Annual renewal
Each Registered Social Worker who has been approved to engage in electronic social work practice from outside the province is responsible for keeping NSCSW up to date on their status, and immediately informing the College of any changes to their contact information.
If the College does not receive a timely update that confirms new registration dates and continued good standing, the entitlement to engage in electronic social work practice in Nova Scotia will expire.
Every year after renewing your registration with the social work regulatory body in your jurisdiction, please mail to the College an original copy of a letter of good standing from that organization.
Mailing address: 1888 Brunswick St., Suite 700, Halifax, NS B3J 3J8
