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Why you should consider the ACIA designation

A professional designation from the CIA shows potential employers, clients, and others that you possess the knowledge and skills and professionalism to be an effective actuary. Your ACIA designation will set you up for later career success. See what’s involved.

Ways to become ACIA

Pathway 1: Complete your education with the CIA

This is the CIA route and will become the new standard in Canada. It is designed for students considering or attending an accredited university who want to go on to become an Associate or Fellow of the CIA through our own innovative education and examinations.

You might consider this path if:

  • You value an education path that is fresh, modern, innovative, and practical
  • You are about to or recently began your actuarial education at a CIA-accredited university
  • You will either meet the requirements for or are exempt from the new ACIA modules or ACIA Capstone exam
  • You want to reduce travel time and lower costs for you and your employer
  • You are satisfied that an ACIA/FCIA designation will meet your needs both in Canada and internationally
  • You realize that FCIA as a standalone designation is eligible for work in the United States, with appropriate qualification from the American Academy of Actuaries
  • You will not be ready to write CIA Fellowship exams until at least 2024

Steps for Pathway 1

Complete your degree and any remaining mandatory courses through an accredited program

Successfully complete the ACIA modules (if not exempt)

Pass the ACIA Capstone exam (if not exempt)

Complete ACIA membership application

Pursue FCIA if and when ready

Pathway 2: Complete some education with another actuarial organization then complete your ACIA/FCIA through the CIA Education System

This is the partnership route. It is designed for people with full or partial Associate-level qualifications from another actuarial organization who wish to become an ACIA. They can then join Pathway 1 to complete requirements for ACIA or FCIA through the CIA’s education and examinations.

You might consider this path if:

  • You want to leverage your accredited degree and/or existing UAP credits and some completed exams of the SOA or CAS to achieve the ACIA designation
  • You want to avoid any duplication of effort or missing credits
  • You want to reduce travel time and lower costs for you and your employer
  • You are either exempt from or meet the requirements for the new ACIA modules or ACIA Capstone exam, or you can wait for the ACIA modules and ACIA Capstone exam to be ready
  • You see value in having more than one Associate-level actuarial designation but are satisfied that you need only one Fellow designation – FCIA
  • You realize that FCIA as a standalone designation is eligible for work in the United States, with appropriate qualification from the American Academy of Actuaries

Steps for Pathway 2:

Complete your degree and any remaining mandatory courses through an accredited program or education from another actuarial organization

Complete ACIA membership application

Pursue FCIA if and when ready

Pathway 3: Complete another Fellow-level credential and have it recognized by CIA

In this route, you complete a recognized Fellow designation through another actuarial organization before getting your FCIA designation. You can take the experience route or the fast track. Fast-tracking requires a CIA-specified Fellowship examination, but with a reduced Canadian-experience requirement.

Recognized Fellow designations include those granted by:

  • Actuarial Society of South Africa (South Africa)
  • Casualty Actuarial Society (United States)
  • Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (United Kingdom)
  • Institute of Actuaries of Australia (Australia)
  • Society of Actuaries (United States)
  • Society of Actuaries in Ireland (Ireland)

You might consider this path if:

  • You want to complete a designation from another actuarial organization before becoming FCIA and are actively doing Canadian work
  • You prefer to use the SOA or CAS education system as opposed to the new CIA open-book Fellowship exams and modules
  • You want to hold more than one Fellowship designation

Steps for Pathway 3

Complete a Fellowship designation through another actuarial organization

Decide between the experience or fast-track option

Accrue required professional and Canadian-specific experience for FCIA

Successfully complete the PEC and other requirements as necessary

Complete FCIA membership application

Pursuing FCIA

An FCIA designation shows potential employers, clients, and other professionals that you possess a particular and highly sought-after professional skillset and the experience to apply it in a specialized way. It can help advance your career and open new opportunities in traditional and emerging areas of actuarial science.

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