APC Catch-22

[BlueFJR]

Is APC now required to be completed before completing the other requirements for ASA? In my case, I’m sitting for the Course 6 exam in May, which will make me eligible for ASA. I was going to take the APC only if I passed. Now I think I need to complete it before the exam.

The Spring 2006 – Course 6 Introductory Study Note states the following. “A candidate planning to seek admission to the SOA should submit the Application for Admission as Associate before completing the education requirements for Associateship…” This, of course, is not new.

However, the following statement is new. "The Application for Admission as Associate is separate from the candidate's course registration application and starting January 1, 2006, the application will be issued to candidates at the Associateship Professionalism Course (APC)." This is from p. 3 of the Spring 2006 edition of the Basic Education Catalog.


Anyway, I conclude one must complete APC before completing the educational requirements. Or is APC an educational requirement? If it is, I think this becomes a Catch-22 because you can’t submit the application until you complete the educational requirements, but you can’t get the application until you complete the educational requirements.

I emailed my question to apc@soa.org, but it came back undelivered. I then spoke with someone in the Membership Services Administrator’s office. She claimed I did not need to complete APC first. But she also told me she wasn’t an authority on the subject so I still have my doubts. Can anyone speak to this issue with any authority? Whom should I contact next at the SOA?

[IT Refugee]

If Course 6 would make you an ASA, that must mean that you have 1 of the upper level exams. If you have the Preliminary Education done and 1 other exam, then you can attend the APC. I have PE and 8 done and am going to the APC in Chicago in February. I don't think that you will become an ASA until you have the APC done so if you wait until after results for 6 you won't become an ASA until you go to the APC. If you go to the APC prior to 6, then you would become an ASA as soon as you pass 6. That is my understanding of how it works.

[MSikaras]

IT Refugee is correct. The APC is considered one of the educational requirements for the ASA designation. Candidates may take it anytime after they have 5 of the 6 required courses in the current system or after they have the PE exams and FAP Modules 1-5 in the new system. I always encourage candidates to take the APC as soon as they become eligible to do so such that once they pass the last exam, the ASA can be immediately conferred.

The Application for Associateship is a formality but a required step. In the past, we would mail these applications to candidates who had completed Courses 1-4. Candidates would be asked to return the application as soon as possible as we wish to process those applications BEFORE the candidate actually finishes the educational requirements. This approach allows us to have everything on file, ready to go once the candidate passes that last exam.

The application processing includes presenting names for approval at a Board of Governors meeting. Under this old system, we would receive less half of the applications back. As the candidates neared Associateship and usually at the APC, we would literally have to chase down candidates who had not yet submitted the application. Thus, we have altered our procedures to mandate completion of the application at the APC. It should take just a few minutes of your time at the session. For our Canadian candidates who take the CIA equivalent course, we will be working with the CIA to ensure distribution of these forms.

Martha Sikaras
Society of Actuaries

[Kenny]

too slow

[BlueFJR]

I know I CAN attend APC. My question is MUST I attend APC before completing Exam 6 (I have credit for 1-5). In general, must one complete APC before completing the other requirements for ASA because APC is now the only way to get the application?

[Kenny]

The APC is not the only way to get an application.

[BlueFJR]

The APC is not the only way to get an application.
What is another method?

[Kenny]

Requesting one from the SOA?

[JMO]

Requesting one from the SOA?
:notworth:

[BlueFJR]

Requesting one from the SOA?
I spoke with someone in Membership Services office and she told me the only way to receive the application is to attend APC. The catalog also says this too.

Care to guess again?

[JMO]

Care to guess again?

Could you please explain why you want to get one before the APC? You cannot become an ASA until you apply, no matter how many exams you have.:oyh:

PS - And you don't have to submit the application before taking another exam.

[annabel lee]

I know I CAN attend APC. My question is MUST I attend APC before completing Exam 6 (I have credit for 1-5). In general, must one complete APC before completing the other requirements for ASA because APC is now the only way to get the application?


No.

You MAY attend the APC before completing Course 6, but you don't HAVE to do so.

You will not become an ASA until you have completed all the requirements (passed all the exams, attended the APC, filled out the application) AND been approved by the BOG. If you attend the APC and fill out the application and get approved by the BOG before you take Course 6, then the instant you pass Course 6, you'll be an ASA. If you wait until after you take and pass Course 6 to take the APC, you will not become an ASA until the BOG approves your application. If you want to get the credential as soon as possible, go to the APC as soon as possible. You will become an ASA on the later of the dates on which each of these things happen: pass the exam, get approved by BOG.