The Alberta College of Social Workers(ACSW) used to act as the professional association and the regulatory agency.
Since 2020, ACSW is a single mandate organization that regulates social worker in the public interest.
This legislation requires professional colleges to follow similar regulations and for the members to apply educational and practice standards.
The ACSW attained a prominent breakthrough by becoming a member of the Health Professions Act, on April 1, 2003, by demonstrating meticulous efforts in obtaining mandatory registration, between 2001 and 2003.
[1] Becoming a member of the HPA was an important goal for the Alberta College resulting in increased public recognition and credibility as a self-regulated profession.