Your path to becoming a certified PSW in New Brunswick.
NBPSWA's core mission is helping every personal support worker in the province — certified or not yet — earn recognized credentials and keep growing through continuing education. Here's how the pathway works today, and how the association supports you at every step.
The 5-step pathway
Meet the prerequisites
All Personal Support Workers must possess current Standard First Aid and CPR certification, a Criminal Record Check, a Vulnerable Sector Check, and an Internal Record Check through Social Development before beginning employment. These requirements are essential safeguards designed to protect vulnerable individuals and help ensure the safety, trust, and integrity of the care environment.
Complete an approved program
Enrol in a recognized PSW / CCA / HSW program at NBCC, CCNB, Atlantic Business College, Eastern College, or another approved school. Programs combine classroom theory, lab practice, and a supervised clinical preceptorship.
Become Provincially Certified
To become provincially certified as a Personal Support Worker in New Brunswick, you must successfully complete all coursework and preceptorship requirements through a recognized training program. Once you have graduated and accumulated the required work experience hours, you become eligible to write the New Brunswick Provincial Certification Examination administered through SkillsNB. Candidates who successfully pass the examination are awarded Provincial Certification by the Province of New Brunswick, demonstrating that they have met established provincial standards for knowledge, skills, and professional practice.
Get verified with NBPSWA
Upload your certificate, CPR, and any specialty training to your member portal. Our credentialing committee reviews, and you receive the public green-light verification employers can check by member number.
Keep learning
Pick up CE credits each year through NBPSWA courses and the province's free SkillsNB e-learning platform. Continuing education keeps your verification current and opens doors to specialty work in dementia care, palliative, acute, and home settings.
Approved training programs in New Brunswick
Recognized PSW, CCA, HSW, and PCA programs delivered across the province in both official languages.
WorkingNB may cover your tuition
Personal support work is a labour-market priority occupation in New Brunswick. WorkingNB offers training-cost support — and in many cases full tuition coverage — for residents pursuing a PSW, CCA, or HSW credential. Talk to a WorkingNB career counsellor before you enrol.
The Provincial Certification Examination
New Brunswick has established a standardized Provincial Certification Examination for Personal Support Workers, administered through SkillsNB. This exam ensures that all certified PSWs in the province meet the same high standards of professional practice.
Once you have completed your approved training program and met the required work experience hours, you can register for the examination. Successful candidates are officially recognized by the Province of New Brunswick as Provincially Certified Personal Support Workers.