Registered social workers may apply to the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) to return to social work practice after a period of not practising. The process for this depends on how long you have been away from practice. Our legislation requires additional assessment for practitioners who have been away for more than three years to ensure social workers remain competent and fit to practise in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Regardless of time away from practice, you must declare that you are competent to practise and disclose any physical or mental issues relevant to your professional practice. The SWRB may require further assessment to confirm fitness to practise in Aotearoa New Zealand.
If you previously cancelled your registration, you must first restore your registration before applying to return to practice. This must be made in writing. Contact the SWRB at applications@swrb.govt.nz to begin the re-registration process.
Less than three years away from practice
You can apply for a Practising Certificate (PC) through the online portal, MySWRB. Please follow the prompts to complete your application.
You will need to pay the annual Practising Certificate fee $540 and the annual disciplinary levy $219.
Find out about the current practising certificate fees and levy
Processing time
Your Practising Certificate will be available as soon as we receive payment.
More than 3 years away from practice
If it has been more than three years since the expiry of your last PC, you will need to apply to return to practice by contacting the SWRB at applications@swrb.govt.nz. You will be asked to provide supporting evidence for your application (refer to the section below).
There will also be a non-refundable Return to Practice application fee of $224.
More information about fees
Processing time
Applications take two months to process once all required documents are received. To avoid delay, please include all required documents with your application. Contact us if you are unsure about our requirements.
Supporting evidence for those away for more than 3 years
We need to assess whether you remain competent and fit to practise social work. To support the assessment process, you will need to submit the items listed below.
A cover letter that covers:
- Reasons for your period away from practice
- Any relevant activities or transferrable skills from related work, paid or voluntary work.Your intended areas of practice.
Other professional documentation:
- Evidence of professional development to maintain your competencies during your time away
- An updated CV detailing your social work experience after graduation, and any social work-related activities during the non-practice period.
- A professional reference from your previous employer confirming your professional conduct, or a character reference from a recognised community leader (such as a local official, religious leader, or professional colleague)
- Consent to New Zealand police vetting.
If applicable:
- Written advice from a medical practitioner or psychologist (if health or mental conditions are relevant).
Additional requirements for practitioners who have been living overseas
If you have been living outside New Zealand for more than 12 months at any time in the last 10 years, you will need to submit:
- A Police certificate from each country where you lived for 12 months or more
- A certificate of Good Standing issued by the registration authority where you were registered. It must be issued within three months of the intended return date to New Zealand.
Decision process
Each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis based on the supporting evidence provided. The outcomes also depend on your time away from practice, competence, and fitness to practise social work.
Possible outcomes include:
- Approval of PC
- Approval with conditions – evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and professional supervision over the first six months
- Approval with conditions – evidence of CPD and professional supervision over the first twelve months
- Initial refusal of the application, with conditions
- Decline of the application
The reason for imposing conditions is to restrict your practice until we can be confident that you are safe to practise. This allows you time to develop and augment your social work skills and understanding of the standards of practice, behaviour, integrity, and conduct.
Once you complete the required supervision period, the condition on your PC will be reviewed and may be removed.
Please note that if the Board approves your Return to Practice, you will then be expected to apply for and pay for an annual Practising Certificate fee and annual disciplinary levy.
Find out about the current practising certificate fees and levy
Competence Assessment
We may require you to complete a competence assessment at your own cost before issuing a Practising Certificate, with the granting of the PC dependent on the outcome of the assessment.
