[[Actuarial Notes Wiki|Wiki]] / **Actuarial Certifications** ## Actuarial Certifications **🇺🇸 United States** In the U.S., becoming a fully credentialed actuary requires earning a Fellowship designation from one of two credentialing organizations: the [[Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS)]] for those specializing in property and casualty insurance, or the [[Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA)]] for those working in life insurance, health insurance, retirement, or finance. Once credentialed, U.S. actuaries are expected to meet the professional standards set by the **American Academy of Actuaries (AAA)**, which serves as the profession's unified voice on public policy, qualification standards, and standards of practice. Membership in the AAA is particularly important for actuaries issuing formal actuarial opinions or signing regulatory filings. **🇨🇦 Canada** In **Canada**, one route to full qualification is to first earn an FCAS or FSA and then apply for the **Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA)** designation through the **Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA)**. Since 2025, the CIA also offers its own direct educational pathway to the FCIA, allowing candidates to qualify without first obtaining an FCAS or FSA. Beyond its credentialing role, the CIA also serves a function similar to the AAA in the United States. They set professional standards, enforcing a code of conduct, and representing the actuarial profession before Canadian regulators and the public. ## Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) [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/Certifications/Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society (ACAS)"> <span class="act-card__badge act-card__badge--associate">Associate</span> <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--meta">2 VEEs</span> <span class="act-pill act-pill--meta">7 Exams</span> <span class="act-pill act-pill--meta">1 Project</span> <span class="act-pill act-pill--meta">3 Online Courses</span> <span class="act-pill act-pill--meta">1 Seminar</span> </div> </a> <a class="card internal-link" href="Exams/Certifications/Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS)"> <span class="act-card__badge act-card__badge--fellow">Fellow</span> <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--meta">ACAS</span> <span class="act-pill act-pill--meta">3 Exams</span> <span class="act-pill act-pill--meta">3 Years of Experience</span> </div> </a> </div> ## Society of Actuaries (SOA) [SOA Education Pathways](https://pathways.soa.org/designations) <div class="grid"> <a class="card internal-link" href="Exams/Certifications/Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA)"> <span class="act-card__badge act-card__badge--associate">Associate</span> <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--meta">3 VEEs</span> <span class="act-pill act-pill--meta">8 Exams</span> <span class="act-pill act-pill--meta">1 Project</span> <span class="act-pill act-pill--meta">3 Online Courses</span> <span class="act-pill act-pill--meta">1 Seminar</span> </div> </a> <a class="card internal-link" href="Exams/Certifications/Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA)"> <span class="act-card__badge act-card__badge--fellow">Fellow</span> <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--meta">ASA</span> <span class="act-pill act-pill--meta">3-4 Exams</span> <span class="act-pill act-pill--meta">4 Courses</span> </div> </a> </div> ## Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) 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. |