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Practising Certificates

Practising Certificates are granted by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) in the following categories:
  • Chief Actuary (Life)
  • Chief Actuary (non-Life without Lloyd's)
  • Chief Actuary (non-Life with Lloyd's)
  • Chief Actuary (Life, Non-Directive)
  • With-Profits Actuary
  • Lloyd's Syndicates.
  • Scheme Actuary

Regardless of whether you are applying for a Practising Certificate (PC) for the first time, or renewing an existing Certificate, you must read and understand the Practising Certificates Scheme (PC Scheme) before making your application.

Report of the Practising Certificates Committee

The Chair of the Practising Certificates Committee (PCC) has produced for the first time a Report to Members to provide some background on the work of the PCC. The report also includes some stats and useful information for members to help ensure that their applications go smoothly. 

This report should be of particular interest to practising certificate holders, and those who plan to become practising certificate holders. 

Changes to the Practising Certificates Scheme effective 1 September 2018

A review of the Practising Certificates Scheme has been carried out and changes to the Scheme came into effect on 1 September 2018.  A summary of the changes is set out in the communication from Des Hudson, Chairman of Regulation Board.

Visit the Changes and amendments page for a brief summary of all changes to the Practising Certificates Scheme.

Timings and costs

Initial applications can take up to 30 days to process; however this timeline is not wholly in the IFoA’s control and no commitments can be made as to the actual date a Practising Certificate will be granted (assuming a PC is granted).

Renewal applications must be submitted at least 21 days before your current certificate expires. If an application is received after the 21 day deadline a penalty fee of 25% of the cost of the certificate will be applied.

The current cost of a Practising Certificate is £890.

Practising Certificates for Chief Actuaries

Roles for which a certificate is required:

  • The Chief Actuary with accountability for the actuarial function under Article 48 of the Directive on Solvency II
  • Reviewing Actuary to a Solvency II firm

New (initial) applications

All initial applicants are subject to an Identity and Basic Criminal Record Check.  More details on how to undertake the check can be found here.

Renewals

Practising Certificates for Life actuaries

Roles for which a certificate is required:

  • Appropriate Actuary
  • Reviewing Actuary to a non-Solvency II firm
  • Small Insurer Chief Actuary
  • With Profits Actuary

New (initial) applications

All initial applicants are subject to an Identity and Basic Criminal Record Check.  More details on how to undertake the check can be found here.

Renewals

Practising Certificates for actuaries providing opinions for Lloyd's syndicates

Roles for which a certificate is required:

  • Lloyd's Actuary
  • Syndicate Actuary.

New (initial) applications

All initial applicants are subject to an Identity and Basic Criminal Record Check.  More details on how to undertake the check can be found here.

Renewals

Practising Certificates for Scheme Actuaries

Role for which a certificate is required:

  • Scheme Actuary

New (initial) applications

All initial applicants are subject to an Identity and Basic Criminal Record Check.  More details on how to undertake the check can be found here.

Renewals

Appeals

You may appeal against a decision of the Practising Certificates Committee to refuse a practising certificate application in certain circumstances. The appeals process is set out in full in this document.

Related documents

Contact Details

If you have any enquiries about Practising Certificates please email or write to the Membership Team

practising.certs@actuaries.org.uk

Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, Level 2 - Exchange Crescent, 7 Conference Square, Edinburgh, EH3 8RA

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  • Pensions Conference 2019

    Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre, 2 Lower Castle Street, Old Market, Bristol, BS1 3AD
    18-19 June 2019
    Spaces available

    Five plenaries and 13 workshops cover current topics and industry trends in the Pension sector with the opportunity to develop your network at the pre-conference evening dinner (18 June).  There is also a day ticket option available for the 19 June. 

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    EY, Atria One, 144 Morrison Street, Edinburgh
    19 June 2019

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    This KSS talk from FinTech Scotland's CEO will explore the mission to create an integrated Fintech ecosystem through provision of funding, support, infrastructure and talent that recognises and responds to the needs of all stakeholders - and the overarching aim for Scotland to be one of the top 5 Fintech global leaders by 2020.

    To book your place, please email Barry_Shannon@standardlife.com 

  • Current Issues in General Insurance (CIGI) 2019

    Inmarsat, 99 City Road, London, EC1Y 1BJ
    19 June 2019

    Fully booked.

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    There will be an excellent and diverse line-up of speakers to provide a variety of perspectives and challenge covering technical and professional areas. 

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  • IFoA/SAS Joint Professional Skills Training – Singapore

    Room 903, NTUC Centre, Level 9, One Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018989
    25 June 2019

    Spaces available

    The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) and Singapore Actuarial Society (SAS) are organising a joint Professional Skills Training (PST) in Singapore. This session is suitable for actuaries working in any area (i.e. it is not specifically aimed at Life, GI or any other technical discipline) and is interactive, so you should come along prepared to take part in the discussions.

  • Webinar Series: Risk and Investment Conference 2019, 26 June

    These are online webinar events.
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    The Hub  Castlehill Edinburgh EH1 2NE
    26 June 2019

    Spaces available

    Notice is hereby given that the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the INSTITUTE AND FACULTY OF ACTUARIES will be held at The Hub, Edinburgh on Wednesday 26 June 2019 at 16.30 (Preceded by tea from 16.00) and followed by a PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS given by John Taylor.

  • IFAM event - Actuarial Teachers’ & Researchers’ Conference 2019

    Institute for Financial and Actuarial Mathematics Department of Mathematical  Sciences The University of Liverpool Mathematical Sciences Building Peach Street Liverpool, L69 7ZL
    27 June 2019 - 29 June 2019

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    The Institute for Financial and Actuarial Mathematics (IFAM) at the University of Liverpool is pleased to host the 2019 Actuarial Teachers’ and Researchers’ Conference from 27-28 June 2019. This annual two-day event has been running annually now for many years, each time hosted by a different university, and provides all those interested in actuarial research and education a great opportunity to share their ideas and catch up on the latest developments.

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    28 June 2019

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    Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QJ
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    Online webinar
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    Spaces available

    The actuarial profession has much to offer the world of banking. In this webinar actuaries with experience in various fields of banking will talk about the opportunities there are in banking; describing the actuarial aspects of the work they do as well as other roles within their area of banking.

  • Implications of 2019 IFRS 17 Exposure Draft

    Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QJ
    24 July 2019

    Spaces available

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    For more information on the FRG please visit this webpage. 

  • KSS event – The Regulatory Perspective

    Deloitte Saltire Court 20 Castle Terrace Edinburgh EH1 2EG
    5 September 2019

    Spaces available

    This KSS talk, presented by the FCA Head of Department in Scotland, will focus on the following 3 main areas:

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  • Sessional Research Event - Risk Margin Working Party

    Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn London, WC1V 7QJ
    9 September 2019

    Spaces available

    For life insurers in the UK, the risk margin is one of the most controversial aspects of the Solvency II regime. Following its implementation, the risk margin came under considerable criticism for being too large and too sensitive to interest rate movements. These criticisms are particularly valid for annuity business – such business is of great significance to the national system for retirement provision. This criticism has led to political interest, and the risk margin was a major element of the Treasury Committee inquiry into Solvency II.

  • GIRO Conference 2019

    EICC, The Exchange, 150 Morrison St, Edinburgh EH3 8EE
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    GIRO is attended annually by over 800 delegates and speakers who are keen to discuss key topics such as Pricing, Reserving, Modelling and the future of the insurance industry. GIRO 2018 was a huge success and we have opened bookings early for what we hope will be another brilliant conference at the EICC in Edinburgh this year. 

     

  • Life Conference 2019

    The Convention Centre Dublin, Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1
    20-22 November 2019
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    The Life Conference is the premier event for professionals interested in life insurance.  Offering a wide range of workshops and plenary sessions it’s the perfect opportunity to discover what’s hot and current in life insurance ensuring you get up to date on the latest thinking and innovation whilst meeting and exchanging ideas with a broad range of professionals.

  • Autumn Lecture 2019, London - Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP

    Lincoln's Inn The Treasury Office, London WC2A 3TL
    2 December 2019

    Spaces available

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