Converting a Foreign Social Work Degree

Oved/et Sotzially

עובד/ת סוציאלי/ת

To practice as a social worker in Israel with a foreign academic degree, you must be registered in the Pinkas HaOvdim HaSotzialim - פנקס העובדים הסוציאליים - Social Workers Registry at the Misrad HaRevacha - משרד הרווחה - Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs. This process involves verifying that your foreign degree and practical training meet Israeli standards, and successful registration will enable you to work as a social worker in Israel.

Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply if you are a graduate of a recognized higher education institution outside of Israel and your academic degree in social work meets all the necessary legal requirements. Your degree must be equivalent to a recognized Israeli B.A. or M.A. in Social Work.

Fees

• Payment can be made online or at a Bank HaDoar – בנק הדואר – Post Office Bank. The payment in the Bank HaDoar should be made to account number 32170 Branch 1, payable to the Pinkas for Ovdim HaSotzialim.
• The Shovar Tashlum – שובר תשלום – payment voucher has two sections. Make sure to fill in your first and family name and Teudat Zehut number on both of them.

Registration Forms

You need to download and complete the following forms:

• Registration in the Social Workers Registry – טופס בקשה לרישום בפנקס העובדים הסוציאליים
• Background check permission – הצהרה חתומה על הסכמה לקבלת מידע מן המרשם הפלילי – Please complete and sign this form and there is no need to request a criminal record check from the police
• Professional training experiences – טופסי הכשרה מקצועית

Please complete the above form for each training separately

Required Documents for Submission

All foreign documents must be translated into Hebrew (unless they are in English). All translations or Neeman LaMakor – נאמן למקור – verified copies of original documents need to be notarized by a certified Israeli notary before submission.

Identity Documents you need to provide:

• Copy of your Teudat Zehut – תעודת זהות – Israeli Identity Card including the appendix
  If the name on the degree does not match the name on the Teudat Zehut, you must provide proof of official name change from Misrad HaPnim – משרד הפנים – Interior Ministry
• If you do not have a Teudat Zehut, a copy of your foreign passport with the appropriate visa can be used
• A copy of your Teudat Oleh – תעודת עולה – Immigration certificate

Provide proof of payment, if paid in the Bank HaDoar

Academic Records needed:

• Official academic diploma
• Official academic transcript, detailing all courses, grades, and credit/hours
• Detailed syllabi for all social work courses you completed, including information on the number of hours per course, content description, and bibliography.
• Official letter from the academic institution confirming:
  
  • That their program is recognized and accredited.
  • The length of the degree program
  • That the degree obtained is specifically and solely in Social Work

Practical Training – Fieldwork Documentation:

• Official confirmation of your supervised practical training (fieldwork/practicum) hours from your university or field agency. This document must detail:
• The total number of hours completed.
• The content and nature of the practical training.
• The types of placements (e.g., individual, family, group, community work).
• Details of supervision (name and qualifications of the supervisor).

Personal Documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• If seven+ years have passed since you graduated and you do not have a foreign social work license from your country of origin, you need to submit a personal letter of intent/motivation explaining why you wish to register as a social worker in Israel.
• If you graduated a German university or college you also need to include a Staatlich Anerkannte
• Please note, that if you lived outside of Israel for 5+ years within the last 15 years you need to provide a criminal background check from the country you lived in.

Optional Recommended Documents

• Employment letters from previous jobs listing start and end dates and if it was a full time or part-time position
• Recommendation letters from previous employers

Submission Options

Pre-Aliyah Application

If you have not yet made Aliyah you can submit the required documents for recognition and licensing as social workers before Aliyah and receive a preliminary approval for meeting the threshold conditions, subject to receiving an Israeli ID number and presenting the original documents.

• The documents should be submitted online via email to the Registration Coordinator, Ronit Vaknin: RonitV@molsa.gov.il
• The preliminary approval will be sent by email after the application’s accuracy has been checked and all required documents have been completed.
• Registration in the Pinkas HaOvdim HaSotzialim will be possible only after the original documents have been submitted and verified that they match what was submitted online.
• If your documents are approved, and your background check is clean, a registration certificate will be sent to you shortly after your Aliyah, provided you meet all the conditions stipulated in the law and regulations.
• All required documents must be submitted in a single email with separate attachments. Each attachment should have the document name listed in its title.
• The subject line of the email should include your full name, your Teudat Zehut number and the name of the school.

Post-Aliyah

Completed forms and documents or verified copies can be submitted as follows:

• By mail to:
  רשמת העובדים הסוציאליים
  משרד הרווחה והביטחון החברתי
  רחוב ירמיהו 39 ת.ד.1260 מגדלי הבירה ירושלים 9446724
• Dropoff
  All documents can also be dropped off in a sealed envelope at the box outside of the Misrad HaRevacha on the second floor at the mailing address noted above between the hours of 7:00 – 18:00
• In Person
  If you would like to present your original documents, or if you have any further questions about the process, you can contact:
  Ronit Vaknin
  Committee on Authorization of Social Workers
  Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs
  39 Yirmiyahu Street, Jerusalem
  General Telephone: 02-508-5233
  RonitV@molsa.gov.il
• Important note: When you submit documents to any government office, in addition to those that are notarized, make sure to have copies of all other documents to be submitted. Original documents are only to show, copies to submit!

Misrad HaKlita Reimbursement

The Misrad Haklita (MHK) – משרד הקליטה – Integration Ministry offers a retroactive reimbursement of up to 4,000 NIS to Olim who were required to translate and/or notarize their documents. Contact your local MHK office or advisor for more information

Please note the following important conditions:

• This process can be initiated only after you have completed your Aliyah.
• Reimbursement is only applicable for expenses incurred up to two years prior to your Aliyah date.
• Eligibility is limited to Olim who have not yet reached retirement age.
• Reimbursement covers only Israeli notary or consulate verification services. You must provide original receipts or verified copies. Apostille services are not reimbursable.

Important Considerations & Challenges

• Degree Equivalence: The assessment of your foreign degree’s equivalence to an Israeli social work degree is critical and can be stringent. Providing comprehensive syllabi and fieldwork documentation are essential.
• Hebrew Language Proficiency: While not explicitly a registration requirement, proficiency in Hebrew is absolutely essential for effective professional practice as a social worker in Israel, as the profession relies heavily on communication with clients and other professionals in Hebrew.
• Processing Time: The evaluation and registration process can take a significant amount of time due to the complexity of verifying foreign credentials. Plan accordingly.