FAQ for actuarial education in Canada

Pathway 1 is designed for students in actuarial programs of CIA-accredited universities who exclusively use CIA education and exams to achieve the ACIA and FCIA designations.

To qualify as an ACIA under Pathway 1, participants must first enrol as a Student member of the CIA and successfully complete:

• a recognized actuarial science degree from a CIA-accredited university, including all CIA-mandatory courses
• ACIA Modules 1 and 2
• the ACIA Capstone Exam
• the CIA Professionalism Workshop

Pathway 2 is designed for:

1. Individuals who have full or sufficient partial associate-level qualifications with another recognized actuarial organization (ASSA, CAS, DAV, IAAust, IFoA, SAI, SOA) and do not plan to become fellows with these organizations. To qualify as an ACIA under Pathway 2, these participants must first enrol as a Candidate member of the CIA and successfully complete ACIA Module 2 and the CIA Professionalism Workshop. ACIA Module 1 is also required for SOA participants who did not complete ASF and PAF modules.
2. Individuals who hold qualifications from another actuarial organization that is a member of the International Actuarial Association (IAA) but not recognized by the CIA. To qualify as an ACIA under Pathway 2, these participants must first enrol as a Candidate member of the CIA, successfully complete the ACIA modules 1 and 2, the ACIA Capstone Exam and the CIA Professionalism Workshop.

Participants achieving the ACIA designation via Pathway 2 are expected to complete the FCIA designation exclusively with CIA Fellow-level educational activities, should they wish to pursue the FCIA designation.

Pathway 3 is designed for individuals who hold a fellow designation with a recognized actuarial organization (ASSA, CAS, DAV, IAAust, IFoA, SAI, SOA). These individuals are eligible to become an FCIA via the (i) experience or (ii) fast-track options.

To qualify as an FCIA under Pathway 3, these participants must first enrol as Candidate member of the CIA and successfully complete:

(i) Under the experience option, Pathway 3A

• FCIA Module 2
• The CIA Advanced Professionalism and Leadership Course
• Three years of Canadian experience accrued in the last four years, after achievement of the first fellow designation.

(ii) Under the fast-track option, Pathway 3B

• FCIA Module 2
• The CIA Advanced Professionalism and Leadership Course
• One FCIA exam, when applicable
• Three years of experience in the last six years, including 12 months of Canadian experience accrued after achievement of the first fellow designation.

Student membership is for participants who are enrolled in an actuarial science program of an accredited university at the time of application.

If you are not enrolled in an actuarial science program of an accredited university or attending a non-accredited university, Candidate membership is for you. Candidate membership is also for you if you have already graduated from an actuarial science program of an accredited university at the time of application.

No. If you are not currently enrolled in a CIA-accredited university program, you are not eligible for Student membership.

Though Student members may retain their Student membership for up to two years after graduation, they must have applied while still enrolled at university.

Since you have completed your studies, please apply for Candidate membership.

Yes. You must first complete the CIA orientation module before applying. The module is free and takes about two hours. You can submit your membership application after you successfully complete the module.

Student members do not pay membership fees. However, their membership must still be renewed annually, and Students will be asked to provide proof of enrollment at an accredited university yearly to maintain their membership.

Candidate membership fees are $75, payable annually.

At the time of membership application, you must provide proof of enrolment. A valid proof of enrolment must include:

• Your full name
• Your program of study
• Your current enrolment term
• The name of your university

Acceptable documents include those issued by the registrar or equivalent authority confirming your enrolment for the current term, such as:

• A registration certificate
• A registrar-issued enrolment letter
• An official transcript showing registration for the current term

Documents that are not acceptable:

• Proof of enrolment from a past term
• A letter of acceptance
• A tuition fee bill
• A course transcript of past terms
• A screenshot of your student account

Once you’ve submitted your application, you will receive a pre-approval email within a week confirming your eligibility to register for CIA educational products.

Your membership will roll over to a Candidate membership at the next renewal if you have not qualified as an ACIA within two years of graduation.

You must file a compliance statement each year by the end of February, starting the first full calendar year after you become a member. Please refer to questions 13 and 14 of the CPD FAQ for details.

You have two options:

1. As a new member, you may file a statement stating that you are a new member for your first two years of CIA membership. We do not require CPD activities for years prior to your membership. The CIA Professionalism Module is not required in this instance.
2. Student members who are currently enrolled in an actuarial science program offered by a university accredited by the CIA will be deemed compliant with CPD requirements under section 3.2(b) of the Qualification Standard for CPD. If you wish to use this option and indicate compliance, you must complete the CIA Professionalism Module.

You can use it in Pathway 1, in which an actuarial degree from a CIA-accredited university is required. Here are the requirements for ACIA under Pathway 1:

Pathway 2. Please note that CIA UAP credits ceased being granted effective October 31, 2023; however, credits confirmed by that date will not lapse and will continue to be accepted under Pathways 1 and 2.

Requirements under Pathway 2 for participants using UAP credits, SOA or CAS activities (or a combination thereof):

• Students in Pathway 1
• Participants pursuing ACIA via Pathway 2 (see FAQ 5) who hold actuarial designations from International Actuarial Association (IAA) member organizations that are not recognized by the CIA.

Yes, exemptions are available for credits confirmed by the end of 2023, as per the following table, in accordance with CIA transition rules ATR23-5 and ATR23-7.

Pathway 2 is available to you. General requirements:

Those without an actuarial degree from a CIA-accredited university can obtain their ACIA designation through Pathway 2. See ACIA FAQ 2 or 5 for requirements.

Both Pathways 1 and 2 are available; see ACIA FAQs 1, 2 or 5 for requirements.

If you have completed all requirements (including any exemptions or credits for such requirements) and are ready to apply, please submit your request to [email protected]. Confirmation of requirements will be assessed based on the documentation you provide.

Ensure your application includes all required documents, such as your official university transcript, transcripts of actuarial exams passed and proof of membership in an actuarial organization.

Contact [email protected] for application details.

No. See ACIA FAQ 8 for details.

UAP exam credits are no longer granted since October 31, 2023. Any UAP credits confirmed by that date will not lapse and will continue to be accepted under Pathway 2.

If you live in Canada and hold an actuarial qualification from an International Actuarial Association (IAA) member organization not recognized by the CIA, you may pursue the ACIA designation via Pathway 2. Requirements will generally be as follows:

You would then pursue FCIA through Pathway 1. See FCIA FAQ 2 for details.

Yes — if you plan to qualify as FCIA under Pathways 1 or 2. No — if you are or plan to qualify as a fellow from another recognized actuarial organization (ASSA, CAS, DAV, IAAust, IFoA, SAI, SOA). You will follow Pathway 3A or 3B requirements.

Please see FCIA FAQ 4 and 5 for Pathway 3A and 3B requirements.

Pathways 1 and 2 are identical from ACIA to FCIA — they are based on CIA exams and modules. See FCIA FAQ 2 for Pathways 1 and 2 requirements to FCIA.

Pathway 3 is designed for participants holding a fellow designation from another recognized actuarial organization by the CIA. See FCIA FAQ 3 for more details.

The following table shows the requirements for Pathways 1 and 2 (they are identical from ACIA to FCIA; see FCIA FAQ 1), along with applicable CIA transition rules:

Two options are available to you: Pathways 3A (experience) and 3B (fast-track). See FCIA FAQ 4 for Pathway 3A requirements and FCIA FAQ 5 for Pathway 3B requirements.

The table below outlines requirements, along with applicable CIA transition rules:

The table below outlines requirements, along with applicable CIA transition rules:

You would pursue either Pathway 3A (experience) or Pathway 3B (fast-track). See FCIA FAQ 4 for Pathway 3A requirements and FCIA FAQ 5 for Pathway 3B requirements.

Yes, as a transitional requirement in Pathways 1 and 2. December 31, 2023, was the deadline for participants in the SOA education system using Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 to complete fellow-level education, including the CIA Practice Education Course (PEC) (but not the SOA FAC and DMAC), to be exempt from SOA exam PA or ACIA Module 2.

No, if:

1. You completed your FSA using pre-fall 2025 exams only, including Canadian exams in the ILA, RET or GH tracks.
2. You completed your FSA in the CFE or QFI tracks using pre-fall 2025 exams only.
3. You completed your FSA in the GI track using CAS exam 6-C.

Yes, if:

1. You completed your FSA using pre-fall 2025 exams only, including US exams in the ILA, RET, GH or GI tracks.
2. You completed your FSA with any exam(s) of the 2025 SOA system.

Please see FCIA FAQ 5 for more details on Pathway 3B requirements.

No — if you took exam 6-C as part of your FCAS.

Yes — if you did not take 6-C as part of your FCAS.

See CIA transition rule FTR25-2. December 31, 2025, was the deadline to successfully complete all FCIA requirements, including experience, and piecemeal credits using SOA (pre-fall 2025 exams) or CAS fellow-level exams for Pathways 1 and 2, unless you transferred into the CIA education system, as per FTR25-3.

Transition rule FTR25-3 provides the opportunity for participants to extend recognition of achieved fellow-level SOA (pre-fall 2025 exams) or CAS educational activities beyond December 31, 2025, on the condition that they successfully complete at least one FCIA exam by December 31, 2025. It is important to note that SOA and CAS fellow-level activities only successfully completed prior to passing this one FCIA exam will be subject to credit.

Please contact [email protected] if you are in this situation.

Yes — if you plan to qualify under Pathways 1 or 2.

No — if you are or plan to qualify as a fellow from another recognized actuarial organization. You will have to meet Pathway 3A or 3B requirements.

Please see FCIA FAQ 4 and 5 for details on Pathway 3A and 3B requirements.

Once you meet requirements for FCIA according to your pathway, including any exemptions, please submit your request to [email protected]. Confirmation of requirements will be assessed based on the documentation you provide.

Be sure to provide all information upon application such as transcripts of actuarial exams passed and proof of membership from an actuarial organization if applicable.

No. See FCIA FAQ 13 for details.

The new SOA system leading to the FSA designation continues to be recognized by the CIA in Pathway 3. The change made by the SOA affects only the CIA examination requirement in Pathway 3B, namely that successful completion of one CIA exam is required if FSA is obtained using any fall 2025 exam(s) and beyond. See FAQ 5 for the CIA exam requirement.