On this page, you can find answers to the most frequently asked questions during the practising certificate (PC) renewal process. There are also links to pages with more in-depth information. 

How much do I need to pay?

The PC renewal cost for 2026/27 is $759. This is made up of the practising certificate fee ($540), and the disciplinary levy ($219). The PC renewal cost is the same as the previous two years.

How we set fees and what they cover

Can I spread the payment over the practising year?

Yes. You must make an initial payment of $200 to renew your PC. You can then make monthly or quarterly payments throughout the practising year.

You must finish paying your fee and levy by 1 May 2027.

Our payment options

What are authorised employers, and how do I know if my employer is one?

Authorised employers have entered into an agreement with us to pay for their social workers’ PC renewal costs. They provide us with a list of social workers whose PC renewal costs they will pay and are invoiced directly when those social workers renew their PCs.

We publish a list of authorised employers for the upcoming practising year on our authorised employer page, usually in early May.

You remain responsible for ensuring your fee and levy are paid, including in situations where your employer has agreed to pay on your behalf.

About authorised employers

Can you issue an invoice for my employer to pay?

We only issue invoices to authorised employers. You can download a receipt from MySWRB after paying your PC renewal costs.

If your employer is not an authorised employer, you will need to make any arrangements for payment and reimbursement with them.

My employer is not an authorised employer

You will need to pay for your PC renewal costs (in full or in part) when you renew your PC. Once you have renewed your PC, you can download a receipt from MySWRB.

Becoming an authorised employer

My employer is an authorised employer

After you complete your practising declaration, your employer will automatically be sent an invoice for your PC renewal costs. Once this invoice has been issued, you can download your PC from MySWRB.

How do I update or correct my employer information in MySWRB?

You cannot edit your employer information yourself in MySWRB.

My employer is not an authorised employer

You need to email the correct employer information to us at applications@swrb.govt.nz

My employer is an authorised employer

If you work for an authorised employer and this is not showing up in MySWRB, your employer needs to email us directly at employerqueries@swrb.govt.nz.

The contact person named in your employer’s authorised employer agreement needs to tell us to add you to the list of employees they will be invoiced for. This email should include your name and registration number.

When do I need to declare myself as non-practising?

You need to declare yourself as non-practising if you are no longer practising social work or intend to stop practising in the coming practising year.

You can declare yourself non-practising for a variety of reasons, including retirement, parental leave, or moving overseas.

To declare yourself as non-practising:

1. Log in to MySWRB
2. Click ‘Declare not practising’
3. Enter the date you stopped practising
4. Enter your reason for declaring as non-practising
5. Check the declaration box
6. Press submit.

Declaring yourself as non-practising

What does it mean if my PC renewal is under review?

Your PC renewal may be flagged in MySWRB as ‘under review’ for various reasons, including if you have not finished paying off your PC renewal costs for the previous practising year.

You will not receive your PC until this review is completed.

We will review your renewal application, which may involve contacting you. This review should happen within 10 working days of you submitting your renewal application.

We will notify you:

• if there is anything else you need to do for your PC to be renewed
• when the review has been completed.

Do I need to renew my registration too?

No, you don’t. You only need to renew your practising certificate and declaration annually.

Your registration as a social worker remains valid unless:

• you choose to apply to the Board to have it cancelled
• the Social Workers Disciplinary Tribunal orders your registration to be struck out as an outcome of disciplinary proceedings.

Do I need to hold a practising certificate? 

If you’re practising social work, you’re legally required to hold a current PC regardless of your job title.

You’re practising social work if your role uses social work knowledge and skills to assess, support, improve, or protect the wellbeing of individuals, families, whānau, groups or communities.

The Scope of Practice for social work in Aotearoa New Zealand 

Understanding your social work practice and practising certificate requirements 

My question isn’t covered here – how can I contact the SWRB? 

If your question hasn’t been covered here, you can contact us at:

• applications@swrb.govt.nz
• 0508 797 269

For more complex questions, we strongly recommend you email us. This lets you explain your query in detail and helps us ensure we respond to you as accurately as possible. It also makes it easier for us to refer your query to a social work advisor, Registrar or deputy Registrar if we need to. 

We receive a lot of calls over the PC renewal period. If you call us and need to leave a message, please include:

• your name 
• your registration number
• a full explanation of your question or issue.

This helps us to respond to your call much more effectively than if you just leave a request for a call back.

During the PC renewal period, it may take several working days for us to respond to a voice message. Unless you need to significantly change the information you gave in your first message, please be considerate of us and your fellow social workers by not making follow-up calls.