The SOA's associate designation (ASA) takes 6 exams, the ATPA assessment, two e-learning modules, three VEE credits, the FAP course and a professionalism course. Exam P and Exam FM are the usual first steps.
| Requirement | Type | How it is done | 2026 fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| VEE Mathematical Statistics | VEE | University or other approved course, then apply for credit | $92 |
| VEE Economics | VEE | University or other approved course, then apply for credit | $92 |
| VEE Accounting and Finance | VEE | University or other approved course, then apply for credit | $92 |
| Exam P (Probability) | Exam | 30 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours, at a Prometric center | $275 |
| Exam FM (Financial Mathematics) | Exam | 30 multiple-choice questions in 2.5 hours, at a Prometric center | $275 |
| Pre-Actuarial Foundations (PAF) | Module | E-learning module, 12 months of access | $224 |
| Exam FAM (Fundamentals of Actuarial Mathematics) | Exam | Multiple choice, at a Prometric center | $408 |
| Exam ALTAM or Exam ASTAM | Exam | Written answer. ALTAM suits life, annuity and retirement work; ASTAM suits group and health and general insurance | $500 |
| Exam SRM (Statistics for Risk Modeling) | Exam | Multiple choice, at a Prometric center | $357 |
| Actuarial Science Foundations (ASF) | Module | E-learning module, 12 months of access | $224 |
| Exam PA (Predictive Analytics) | Exam | E-learning modules, then an exam solving a business problem with a data set | $1,234 |
| ATPA (Advanced Topics in Predictive Analytics) | Assessment | E-learning modules and a take-home assessment | $1,255 |
| Fundamentals of Actuarial Practice (FAP) | Course | E-learning course with end-of-module assessments and a final assessment, 24 months of access | $1,867$551 for the modules and $1,316 for the final assessment |
| Associateship Professionalism Course (APC) | Course | The last requirement, by invitation: a virtual or in-person seminar | $658$658 virtual, $847 in person |
| All fees at a first attempt, with the virtual APC | $7,553 | ||
| Exams | 6, plus the ATPA assessment |
|---|---|
| First two | Exam P and Exam FM, in either order |
| All fees, first attempt | $7,553 |
| After the ASA | The FSA, by practice area |
The Casualty Actuarial Society starts with the same two exams, as its Exam 1 (Probability) and Exam 2 (Financial Mathematics), which can be taken through SOA. Passing P and FM keeps both paths open.
An insurer classifies its drivers as standard (60%), preferred (30%) or high risk (10%). The probability that a driver has an accident during the year is 0.05 for standard, 0.02 for preferred and 0.15 for high risk. A randomly chosen driver has an accident during the year.
Calculate the probability that the driver is high risk.
An insurer covers 10 independent properties. Each of the 10 properties independently has probability 0.10 of a claim this year.
Calculate the probability that at least 2 of the 10 have a claim.
For the SOA's ASA, 6 exams (P, FM, FAM, ALTAM or ASTAM, SRM and PA), the ATPA assessment, two e-learning modules, three VEE credits, the FAP course and the APC. The FSA adds more by practice area.
Exam P or Exam FM. Either can come first: SOA lets candidates complete its requirements in any order.
$7,553 in 2026 fees at a first attempt, with the virtual APC, or $7,742 with the in-person APC.