Continuing Professional EducationOverview All Registered Social Workers will be required to demonstrate that they have fulfilled the required number of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) creditsa from their 2nd renewal onwards* in order to renew their registration status. The CPE requirements as at 1 December 2004c is as follows: | Type of CPE | Description | Average Hours Per Year | | Category 1 | Formally Organized Learning Events | 20 | | Category 2 | Professional Meetings / Organized Learning Experiences | 30 | | Category 3 | Individual Professional Activities | 10 | | | Self-determined professional development from Category 1 and/or 2b | 20 | | CPE Requirements per Year | 80 | Note: 1 CPE Credit = 1 CPE Learning hour The structure allows RSWs the flexibility of planning for their own professional development by fulfilling the remaining credits needed for renewal, through participation in CPE activities in category 1 and/or 2. With regards to CPE Policy (as at 1 April 2004), members have expressed their concerns regarding CPE units for Category I (40 hours per year as at 1 April 2004). Feedback has been that the availability of funds for formal training is a concern. The Registration Committee has thus agreed to a revised CPE policy which is reflected here.
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RSWs will thus be required to fulfill 160 CPE credits per registration cycle of 2 years (on average 80 hours of CPE per year), with a minimum of 140 CPE credits from category 1 and 2. When renewing their registration status, they will be required to sign a declaration stating that they have met the minimum CPE requirements for renewal and they will have to submit their CPE journals for audit checks when requested to do so. You may download the CPE Journal from here. CPE Category Descriptions Category I includes formally organized learning events involving face-to-face interaction with a trainer/teacher for the purpose of accomplishing specific learning objectives. Examples: Courses, workshops, practice-oriented seminars, staff development, and training activities offered by accredited programmes of social work education, SASW Chapters, and other providers of continuing education. Category II includes professional meetings as well as other forms of organized learning experiences for social workers. Events in this category involve formally structured discussions among professionals about professional issues, whereby participants increase their awareness of new developments in social work and related fields. Examples: Conferences, symposiums, panel presentations, and interest groups sponsored by social work or allied organizations. Category III consists of a variety of self-directed professional study activities and growth experiences. Examples: Writing papers and books for presentation or publication; making presentations on major professional issues or programmes; reading professional journals and books; preparing for initial consultation, teaching or training assignments (except when those are primary job responsibilities). Exclusions When counting hours, the following exclusions apply: Time spent (outside of class seminar) for study, assigned reading, written assignments or other related activities required for completion of a continuing education course; Travel time; Meeting time devoted to business, committee activities, entertainment, or social activities such as coffee hours, luncheons, dinners, etc. (Time for luncheon or dinner presentations which are an integral part of the educational experience may be included).
* Only applies for 2nd renewal from first time registration and does not apply to renewal after one's registration lapses. Members who applied for registration in FY 2004/2005, please click here to read about registration renewal requirements for renewal in 2007. Refining the CPE System In keeping with our consultation with members, SASW is opening up a forum to allow members to share their feedback so as to better the CPE system, and put in place a system that would help to address the profession's and social workers' needs. To contribute your feedback, visit here
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