[[Actuarial Notes Wiki|Wiki]] / ==Actuarial Certifications==
# How do I become an Actuary?
> 🇺🇸 In the **United States of America**, to practice as a fully qualified actuary you must obtain an FSA from the [[Society of Actuaries (SOA)]] or an FCAS from the [[Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS)]].
> 🇨🇦 In **Canada**, you can obtain an FSA or FCAS, then apply for an FCIA with the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA). As of 2025, the CIA also offers their own educational pathway to become an FCIA.
## [SOA Education Pathways](https://pathways.soa.org/designations)
<div class="grid">
<a class="card internal-link" href="Exams/Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA)">
<h3 class="act-card__title">ASA</h3>
<p class="act-card__subtitle">Associate of the Society of Actuaries</p>
<div class="act-card__pills" aria-label="Requirements">
<span class="act-pill act-pill--courses">🎓 3 VEEs</span>
<span class="act-pill act-pill--exams">📝 8 Exams</span>
<span class="act-pill act-pill--project">📂 1 Project</span>
<span class="act-pill act-pill--courses">🎓 3 Online Courses</span>
</div>
</a>
<a class="card internal-link" href="Exams/Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA)">
<h3 class="act-card__title">FSA</h3>
<p class="act-card__subtitle">Fellow of the Society of Actuaries</p>
<div class="act-card__pills" aria-label="Requirements">
<span class="act-pill act-pill--cert">⭐ ASA</span>
<span class="act-pill act-pill--exams">📝 3-4 Exams</span>
<span class="act-pill act-pill--courses">🎓 4 Courses</span>
</div>
</a>
</div>
## [CAS Syllabus of Basic Education](https://www.casact.org/sites/default/files/2025-01/2025_SOBE.pdf)
<div class="grid">
<a class="card internal-link" href="Exams/Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society (ACAS)">
<h3 class="act-card__title">ACAS</h3>
<p class="act-card__subtitle">Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society</p>
<div class="act-card__pills" aria-label="Requirements">
<span class="act-pill act-pill--courses">🎓 2 VEEs</span>
<span class="act-pill act-pill--exams">📝 7 Exams</span>
<span class="act-pill act-pill--project">📂 1 Project</span>
<span class="act-pill act-pill--courses">🎓 3 Online Courses</span>
<span class="act-pill act-pill--courses">🎓 1 Seminar</span>
</div>
</a>
<a class="card internal-link" href="Exams/Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS)">
<h3 class="act-card__title">FCAS</h3>
<p class="act-card__subtitle">Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society</p>
<div class="act-card__pills" aria-label="Requirements">
<span class="act-pill act-pill--cred">⭐ ACAS</span>
<span class="act-pill act-pill--exams">📝 3 Exams</span>
<span class="act-pill act-pill--cred">⭐ 3 Years of Experience</span>
</div>
</a>
</div>
## Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA)
To practice as a fully qualified actuary in Canada, candidates must obtain a fellowship credential from the [[Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA)]]. Associateships and fellowships from the SOA or CAS can be transferred for a ACIA or FCIA respectively.
Recently, the CIA introduced their own examination process. See the CIA's [Qualification Pathways](https://www.cia-ica.ca/becoming-a-member/qualification-pathways/) for more details.
| Certification | Description |
| ----------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [[Associate of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (ACIA)]] | **⭐ Certification** An Associate Actuary of the CIA can identify, evaluate and analyze risk along with the technical, communication and business skills outlined in the CIA’s education syllabus. |
| [[Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA)]] | **⭐ Certification** A Fellow Actuary of the CIA can effectively apply the Canadian practice-specific standards, legislation, concepts and techniques of actuarial science as defined in the CIA’s education syllabuses, and has demonstrated a required amount of experience, including Canadian actuarial practice. |