Professionalism Workshop

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The CIA’s Professionalism Workshop is a requirement to become an Associate of the CIA (ACIA). It is delivered through both an e-learning module and a two-day virtual event that provide candidates with a solid grounding in professionalism concepts, making extensive use of the case study method. Topics covered include the following: 

  • What is a professional? 
  • The CIA and governance of the profession in Canada 
  • Rules and standards 
  • Professionalism in practice 
  • Communication skills 
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Why attend?

  • Meet ACIA qualification requirements
  • Learn why professionalism is the cornerstone for a career as an actuary
  • Learn about the CIA
  • Enhance your communication skills
  • Earn credit toward the ACIA and ACAS or ASA designations 

Pre-reading material 

In preparation for the upcoming Professionalism Workshop, pre-reading certain materials is required. You will not be tested on the materials, but knowledge of them will better prepare you for the e-learning component, the virtual workshop and the discussions that will take place: 

  1. Rules of Professional Conduct
  2. Standards of Practice – General Standards
  3. Qualification Standard – Requirements for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 
  4. The CIA’s Disciplinary Process 
  5. Policy on Administration of Member Rights and Privileges 
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Upcoming workshops and registration

Please note there is no waitlist for our workshops. Once a workshop is full, the registration button will be greyed out. If a spot opens up, online registration will automatically re-open.

The next round of workshop dates will be posted in fall 2024.

  • February 4-5, 2025 – Offered in French

CAS recognition of CIA Professionalism Workshop

The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) formerly recognized the combination of the CIA Professionalism Workshop and the now dissolved Practice Education Course (PEC) as meeting the requirements for the CAS Course on Professionalism (COP). The CAS now accepts completion of the CIA’s two-day Professionalism Workshop as meeting the requirements for the CAS COP.

Transition until December 31, 2025

Candidates who completed the CIA Professionalism Worksop prior to March 30, 2024, will be required to take day 2 only of the workshop to receive credit for the CAS COP. Candidates in this situation should email [email protected] with the subject line: CIA PW Day 2.

Candidates who completed the PEC prior to December 31, 2023, but did not take the CIA Professionalism Workshop prior to March 30, 2024, will be required to take day 1 of the workshop to receive credit for the CAS COP. Candidates in this situation should email [email protected] with the subject line: CIA PW Day 1.

Five-year expiry on professionalism education credit for membership 

Candidates must complete the membership eligibility requirements and be confirmed as ACIA within five years of completing the CIA professionalism requirement. This also applies to former members who have let their membership lapse and who wish to be reinstated, either as an ACIA or FCIA. Current members of the CIA who keep their membership in good standing will not lose their professionalism education credit. 

For more information on the Professionalism Workshop and how it pertains to your chosen qualification pathway, please contact [email protected]

Practical considerations 

Please note that due to the introduction of the CIA’s new qualification pathways, some requirements are changing, which may affect your need to take the CIA Professionalism Workshop. 

  • Effective January 1, 2023, the ACIA designation is no longer required for fellows of recognized actuarial organizations who are seeking Fellowship in the CIA via Pathway 3B – Fast Track Route. Consequently, these candidates are no longer required to take the Professionalism Workshop. 
  • Please note that there is no change in the requirements for candidates pursuing the ACIA designation for other qualification purposes or for candidates using the CIA Professionalism Workshop for credit with the Society of Actuaries (toward ASA) or the CAS (toward ACAS).