Becoming a Fellow
What is an FCIA?
A Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA) can effectively apply the Canadian practice-specific standards, legislation, concepts and techniques of actuarial science as defined in the CIA’s education syllabus and has demonstrated a required amount of experience, including Canadian actuarial practice.
FCIAs have opportunities across a variety of industries, from more traditional roles in insurance and pensions to emerging opportunities in banking and predictive analytics. FCIAs have a highly valued toolkit that can be applied in new environments in alignment with personal interests and goals – the possibilities are nearly endless. Fellows can append the initials FCIA to their names and may fulfill certain reserved roles in Canada.
On average, it takes seven to nine years to become an FCIA, including university education, or one to three years after achieving another Fellowship-level credential from a recognized actuarial organization.
Why you should consider your 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. As a member of the CIA, you belong to the premier community of actuarial professionals in Canada and around the world. You are recognized for putting the public interest ahead of your own and for advocating on issues affecting Canadian society and its financial future. Your FCIA designation can help advance your career and open new opportunities in traditional and emerging areas of actuarial science.
Steps to becoming an FCIA:
Choose your qualification pathway through the CIA or another actuarial organization
Accrue required professional and Canadian-specific experience
Successfully complete any CIA-required education or exams
Apply to become an FCIA
Pursuing your FCIA designation
Designed as an integral part of the journey to Fellowship, the FCIA syllabus details the learning outcomes for five FCIA specialty tracks. Each track is comprised of two online FCIA modules and three open-book FCIA examinations.
Continuing professional development (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.
Members with ACIA designation
If you have already achieved your ACIA designation, explore the options for getting your FCIA.
Associates or Fellows of other actuarial organizations recognized by the CIA
Interested in using your existing actuarial qualifications to become and FCIA?
Associates or Fellows of actuarial organizations not recognized by the CIA
If you are fully qualified with an actuarial organization that is a member of the International Actuarial Association, you can achieve FCIA via Pathway 2.
Important dates
The FCIA modules are not only a requirement for FCIA, but can also be used for CPD.
- FCIA module 1
All tracks rollout early summer 2024 - FCIA module 2
All tracks rollout late summer 2024
All exams will be offered bilingually online using an open-book format to allow candidates to demonstrate the practical application of the technical skills learned. Each track will have three 4-hour exams.
- FCIA exam 1
All tracks offered spring 2024 - FCIA exam 2
All tracks offered late summer 2024 - FCIA exam 3
All tracks offered fall 2024
Ask your education questions every Friday on Zoom
Join us every Friday from 12:00-12:30 ET to speak with our education experts about the new education pathways. We can’t wait to answer your questions about becoming an actuary.
Mark your calendar for the following FCIA exam dates
Group benefits track (GB)
Exams datesRetirement benefits track (RET)
DatesIndividual life insurance and annuities track (ILA)
DatesProperty and casualty insurance track (PC)
DatesFinance, investments and enterprise risk management track (FIE)
DatesBanking applications (BNK)
DatesApply to become an FCIA
Take the next steps to become a Fellow or to complete the FCIA qualification requirements.
