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Why you should consider FCIA designation

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.

Ways to become FCIA

Pathway 1: Complete your FCIA within the new CIA Education System

This is the CIA route and will become the new standard in Canada moving forward. It is designed for people with an ACIA designation who want to become a Fellow of the CIA through our fresh, modern, innovative and practical Education System.

You might consider this path if:

  • You pursue(d) Pathway 2 — because it eventually merges with Pathway 1 for fellowship exams
  • You want to reduce travel time and lower costs associated with designation
  • The timing of the first availability of CIA modules and exams is acceptable to you
  • You are satisfied that an FCIA designation will meet your needs both in Canada and internationally
  • You want to pursue FCIA through innovative, open-book, online CIA fellowship exams and modules

Steps for Pathway 1

Be an ACIA member for at least 12 months while accruing Canadian experience

Successfully complete (any remaining) requirements for an FCIA specialty track

Demonstrate required practical and Canadian-specific experience

Complete FCIA membership application (if not completed as part of Pathway 2)

Pathway 2: Have your existing fellow-level SOA/CAS qualifications recognized and then complete your FCIA through the CIA Education System

This is the partnership route. It is designed for people who have some SOA/CAS fellow-level qualifications, and who wish to become an FCIA. They can join Pathway 1 to complete requirements for FCIA through the CIA’s education and examinations.

You might consider this path if:

  • You want to have all of your qualifications achieved to date recognized by the CIA to help achieve FCIA designation
  • You have decided not to finish another fellow-level designation
  • You want to avoid having to retake any exams or encounter unexpected requirements
  • You want to avoid any delays in your plan to achieve FCIA
  • You want to reduce travel time and lower costs associated with designation
  • The timing of the first availability of CIA modules and exams is acceptable to you
  • You are satisfied that an FCIA designation will meet your needs both in Canada and internationally
  • You want to pursue FCIA through innovative, open-book, online CIA fellowship exams and modules

Steps for Pathway 2:

Apply to have completed coursework and exams assessed by the CIA

Complete FCIA membership application

Continue pursuing FCIA on Pathway 1

Pathway 3: Complete your fellow-level designation outside of the CIA Education System and then have it recognized by CIA

In this route, you complete your fellow-level designation through another actuarial organization before having it recognized towards your FCIA designation. You can take the experience route or the fast track. Fast-tracking requires ACIA designation to be completed first.

You might consider this path if:

  • You want to complete a designation(s) from another actuarial organization before becoming FCIA and you 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
  • You don’t want to wait for the first availability of FCIA modules and exams in the CIA Education System

Steps for Pathway 3 – Experience route:

Successfully complete an FCIA specialty track module (when available)

Demonstrate 36 months of practical and Canadian-specific experience, certified by an FCIA, accrued since achievement of fellow-level designation

Complete FCIA membership application

Steps for Pathway 3 – Fast-track route:

Successfully complete the Fellowship examination determined most relevant by the CIA

Demonstrate 36 months of practical actuarial work experience including 12 months of Canadian-specific experience, certified by an FCIA

Complete FCIA membership application

Continuing professional education (CPD)

The needs of our profession and our clients are continually changing. CPD requirements ensure our members stay up to date and relevant, that ACIA/FCIA designation continues to be recognized as valuable, and that standards of professionalism are always refreshed and upheld.

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