Education FAQ

Pathway 1 is designed for students using an accredited degree and exclusively using the CIA’s education and exams to achieve ACIA and FCIA designations.

Candidates wishing to use Pathway 1 must have a recognized degree from a CIA-accredited university, including specified mandatory courses as determined by the CIA, and must successfully complete ACIA Modules 1 and 2, the ACIA Capstone Exam and the CIA Professionalism Workshop to become an ACIA.

Pathway 2 is designed for candidates who want to hold another recognized Associate-level designation and become an ACIA and FCIA through the CIA’s education and exams and who do not plan to become a Fellow of another actuarial organization. It is also for candidates seeking ACIA via mutual recognition agreements and candidates’ designations from other actuarial organizations that are not currently recognized by the CIA (e.g., the goal is ASA/FCIA, ACAS/FCIA, ASSA/FCIA, AIAA/FCIA, AIA/FCIA).

Candidates wishing to use Pathway 2 must have a recognized Associate-level designation (some exemptions apply) and must complete ACIA Module 2 and the CIA Professionalism Workshop to become an ACIA. Under certain conditions, ACIA Module 1 as well as the ACIA Capstone exam may be required (see ACIA FAQ 9 and 10 for more details). Candidates achieving ACIA via Pathway 2 are assumed to be completing their FCIA using the CIA’s modules and examinations rather than the education and exams of other actuarial organizations. Under certain conditions, recognition of modules and examinations of other actuarial bodies will be granted.

Pathway 3 is designed for candidates who want to achieve FCIA by holding another recognized Fellow level designation and become an FCIA via experience, fast-track or mutual recognition (e.g., the goal is FSA/FCIA, FCAS/FCIA, FASSA/FCIA, FIAA/FCIA, FIA/FCIA).

Candidates wishing to use Pathway 3 must first obtain a recognized Fellow designation and then complete the FCIA Module 2 for their specific track and the Advanced Professionalism and Leadership course and choose the experience route or the fast-track option. Note that obtaining the first Fellow designation must precede entry into CIA educational activities towards the achievement of FCIA.

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

This is Pathway 2. Please note that UAP credits will no longer be granted effective October 31, 2023, but any UAP credits confirmed up to this date will not lapse and will continue to be accepted under Pathways 1 and 2.

Requirements under Pathway 2 for candidates using UAP credits, SOA or CAS activities:

Only candidates wishing to pursue Pathway 1 and candidates pursuing ACIA via Pathway 2 who hold actuarial designations that are not recognized by the CIA (but recognized by the IAA) need to do the ACIA Capstone Exam. For a limited period, some exemptions from the Capstone Exam are available. (see ACIA FAQ 4)

Yes, exemptions are available over a transitional period ending in 2023, as per the following table, in accordance with transition rules ATR23-5 and ATR23-7.

* The eight SOA FAP modules are currently subject to the following structure (ASA Curriculum Changes):

• Pre-Actuarial Foundations e-Learning Module or FAP Module 1: Introduction/ Role of the Professional Actuary and Module 2: Core External Forces. (2 Modules)
• Actuarial Foundations e-Learning Module or FAP Module 4: Actuarial Solutions. (1 Module)
• FAP Module 3: Risk in Actuarial Problems, Module 5: Design and Pricing of an Actuarial Solution, Module 6: Model Selection and Solution Design, Module 7: Selection of Initial Assumptions, Module 8: Monitoring Results, and the Final Assessment. (5 Modules)

Pathway 2 is available to you. The requirements are:

Those who do not have a degree from an accredited university can obtain their ACIA designation through Pathway 2. See ACIA FAQ 5 for requirements.

Both Pathways 1 and 2 are available – see ACIA FAQs 1, 2 and 5 for requirements. If you are currently pursuing an actuarial designation from another organization, you can pursue this education pathway and use Pathway 2 to qualify as an ACIA.

Please note that the ACIA Capstone Exam mainly applies to qualification as an ACIA through Pathway 1. See ACIA FAQ 4 for possible exemptions if you choose to qualify as an ACIA through Pathway 1. Any candidate pursuing Pathway 2 who holds a recognized Associate level designation is exempt from the Capstone exam. The ACIA Capstone exam is required for Pathway 2 candidates with actuarial designations from organizations that are not recognized by the CIA.

See ACIA FAQ 4 for possible exemptions.

All membership applications must be submitted through our website. Once you’ve established that you meet the requirements for ACIA according to your pathway, including any applicable exemptions, you can submit your full application for ACIA. Confirmation of requirements will be assessed based on the documentation you provide.

Be sure to provide all information upon application such as official university transcript, transcripts of actuarial exams passed and proof of membership from an actuarial organization.

Contact [email protected] for application details.

No. See ACIA FAQ 10 for details.

UAP exam credits are no longer granted effective October 31, 2023. Any UAP credits confirmed up to this 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 actuarial organization that is not among those recognized by the CIA but is a member of the International Actuarial Association (IAA), Pathway 2 is available to you. Requirements will generally be as follows:

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

Yes, if you plan to qualify under Pathways 1 or 2. Also note that for FCIA applications received by November 15, 2025, using transitional Pathway 2 recognition of SOA and CAS Fellow-level activities, ACIA designation is required while accruing the required 12 months of Canadian experience.

No, if you are, or plan to qualify as, a Fellow from one of the recognized actuarial organizations. You will follow Pathway 3A or 3B requirements.

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

If you’d like to consult with one of our education experts, please contact [email protected].

Join us every Friday 12-12:30 ET on Zoom (Meeting ID: 868 6517 9998, Passcode: 684536) to ask us your questions live.

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 candidates holding a recognized Fellow designation from another organization. See FCIA FAQ 3 for more details.

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

Two options are available to you, namely Pathways 3A and 3B. FCIA membership via Pathway 3A is open to any person who already holds a recognized Fellow-level actuarial designation and has accrued at least three years of relevant Canadian experience since achieving that Fellow designation. FCIA membership via Pathway 3B is open to any person who already holds a recognized Fellow level actuarial designation and who wishes to fast-track to FCIA by completing a Canadian content fellowship exam as designated by the CIA.

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

The table below outlines requirements along with applicable transition rules:

The table below outlines requirements along with applicable transition rules:

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

Yes. December 31, 2023, is the deadline for candidates in the SOA education system using Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 to complete Fellow-level education, including the PEC (but not the SOA FAC and DMAC), to be exempt from SOA exam PA or ACIA Module 2.

No, if:

1. You took Canadian exams as part of your FSA in the ILA, RET or GH tracks.
2. You completed your FSA in the CFE or QFI tracks.
3. You completed your FSA in the GI track using CAS exam 6-C.

Yes, if:

1. You took US exams as part of your FSA in the ILA, RET or GH tracks.
2. You completed your FSA in the GI track using US exams.

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 complete 6-C as part of your FCAS.

If you plan to use only SOA/CAS activities, your complete FCIA application must be received by November 15, 2025, under Pathway 2 transition.

Transition rule FTR25-3 provides the opportunity for candidates to extend recognition of achieved Fellow-level SOA or CAS educational activities beyond November 15, 2025, on the condition that they successfully complete at least one FCIA exam by November 15, 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.

We will consider such situations on a case-by-case basis. Until then, if you are in this situation, we recommend that you aim to complete your Fellow level education with CIA activities when they are available and/or SOA activities before November 15, 2025, or to use transition rule FTR25-3.

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

No, if you are, or plan to qualify as, a Fellow from one of the recognized actuarial organizations. 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.

All membership applications must be submitted through our website. Once you’ve established that you meet the requirements for FCIA according to your Pathway, including any exemptions, you can submit your full application for FCIA. 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.

No. See FCIA FAQ 13 for details.

If you’d like to consult with one of our education experts, please contact [email protected].

Join us every Friday 12-12:30 ET on Zoom (Meeting ID: 868 6517 9998, Passcode: 684536) to ask us your questions live.