Anyone working in a social care role. It is the responsibility of the individual to register. It is not the responsibility of the employer. The individual is expected to pay the registration fee.

The legislation defines a social care worker as anyone "engaged in the practice of the profession." This includes individuals with job titles such as social care worker, leader, or practitioner. There are no differences in registration requirements for workers, leaders, or managers.

There are three routes to register as a social care worker:

1. Standard Route (Section 38)

• • You hold an approved qualification.

[See the list of approved qualifications here.]

2. Transition Route (Section 91/1) – Open until 30th November 2025

• • You have a sufficiently relevant qualification.
  • You have at least two years of social care work experience.
  • You can provide proof of employment from your employer.

[See the list of sufficiently relevant qualifications here.]

3. Transition Route (Section 91/2) – Open until 30th November 2025

• • You do not have a sufficiently relevant qualification.
  • You have at least two years of continuous social care work experience.
  • You currently hold the title of social care worker.
  • You can provide an Employer Opinion of Competence and/or have an Assessment of Professional Competence.

• The Transition Routes (91/1 and 91/2) close on 30th November 2025. You must apply before midnight on this date.
• The Standard Route (Section 38) remains open after this date.

No. After 30th November 2025, the title "Social Care Worker" will be legally protected.

• If you are not registered, you cannot use the title.
• Using the title when you are not registered. CORU has explicitly stated:

"After the two-year transitional period, the title is protected. It is a criminal offence for a non-registrant to use a protected title. The Enforcement Team at CORU is tasked with investigating and, where there is sufficient evidence, prosecuting the alleged use of protected titles by unregistered persons."

• The only way to register after this date will be through Section 38 (Standard Route) with an approved qualification.

To register, you must also:

✔ Meet fitness to practice requirements.

✔ Sign the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics.

✔ Complete e-vetting.

✔ Pay the registration fee.

If you graduated from OTC before 2016, you can request a replacement parchment from QQI.

[Contact QQI here.]