Policy on the Use of CIA Membership Titles and Designations
Document 216016
Context and Purpose
Rule 10 of the CIA Rules of Professional Conduct states: “A member shall make use of
membership titles and designations of a recognized actuarial organization only in a manner
that conforms to the practices authorized by that organization.” Since the CIA Rules of
Professional Conduct must be followed by all Fellows, Associates and Affiliates of the CIA,
these individuals may only use their CIA membership titles and designations only if that use
conforms to the practices set out in this policy established by the Member Services
CouncilCIA Board.
Scope
This policy applies to all Fellows, Associates, Affiliates and Correspondents of the CIA.
Policy Statements
1. What is a “title” and when can it be used?
Annotation 10-1 to Rule 10 defines it as “any title conferred by a recognized actuarial
organization related to a specific position within that organization.” In our case, this may run
the gamut from elected office to appointment as members and leadership positions on CIA
committees, task forces and councils.
2. When can titles be used?
Titles, such as being the chairperson of a committee, can be used as follows:
a. in all Institute correspondence, publicity and documents, such as the CIA website,
e-Bulletin articles, documentation regarding CIA General Meetings, and letters
signed on behalf of the Institute regarding Institute matters; and
b. in curricula vitae and similar documents.
For further clarity, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, titles may not be
used for the following:
a. to promote or advertise personal or employer commercial interests; or
b. to promote or express opinions that are not official positions of the Institute.
3.2.
What is a “designation” and when can it be used?
Annotation 10-1 to Rule 10 defines it as “a specific reference to membership status within
such organization” (i.e., within any recognized actuarial organization).
In the case of the CIA, a the “Fellow designation (i.e., FCIA) and the Associate designation
(i.e., ACIA) can be used by” refers to membership status (i.e., whether the person is a Fellow,
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or Associate, Affiliate or Correspondent of the InstituteCIA (as applicable) who is also a
“Practicing Member” pursuant to Bylaw 1.01(15.1), in any situation, provided it does not
violate any other rule of professional conduct (i.e., does not violate the Fellow’s obligation to
act in a manner to uphold the reputation of the actuarial profession – Rule 1).
A Fellow or Associate who is not a “Practicing Member”, pursuant to Bylaw 1.01(15.1), must
append the qualifier “(non-practicing)” to their designation.
Although Affiliates are also members of the CIA, there is no designation associated with this
category of enrolment.
4.
When can designations be used?
CIA designations (i.e., Fellow, Associate, Affiliate and Correspondent) can be used:
a. 1) in all Institute correspondence, publicity and documents, such as the CIA
website, e-Bulletin articles, documentation regarding CIA General Meetings, and
letters signed on behalf of the Institute regarding Institute matters; and
b. in curricula vitae and similar documents.
Pursuant to our Bylaws (see Bylaw 4.04), Fellows may append to their names the initials FCIA
or FICA. Fellows may identify themselves as such in any situation, provided it does not violate
any other Rule of Professional Conduct (e.g., does not violate the 2) Fellow’s obligation to act
in a manner to uphold the reputation of the actuarial profession – Rule 1).
Associates who meet the eligibility requirements as of June 1, 2012, may append to their
names the initials ACIA or AICA. Associates may identify themselves as such in any situation,
provided it does not violate any other Rule of Professional Conduct (e.g., does not violate the
Associate’s obligation to act in a manner to uphold the reputation of the actuarial profession
– Rule 1).
Affiliates, on the other hand, are not authorized to append to their names ACIA or AICA, nor
can they append to their names “ “Affiliate, Canadian Institute of Actuaries/Affilié, Institut
canadien des actuaires” (see Bylaws 5.02(2.1) and 5.1.02(3)).
However, Affiliates may identify themselves or be identified as Affiliates of the Canadian
Institute of Actuaries, but only in a communication where there is reason to believe that the
intended recipient of the communication will not be misled as to their qualifications, i.e.,
misled to think that they are Fellows (see Bylaws 5.02(2) and 5.1.02(2)). The reasoning
behind this is simply to avoid confusion, particularly among the public. For example, it would
be appropriate to refer to “ Affiliates” as such within the Institute and when an “Affiliate”
corresponds with a Fellow (for example, in applying for a job), since no one would be misled
in such situations.
Correspondents cannot publicize, or knowingly permit publication of the fact that such
person is a Correspondent of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (see Bylaw 6.023.1.8).
5.3.
Use of the term “actuary”
Although neither a title nor a designation, some clarification on the appropriate use of
“actuary” is also in order. It has been the position of the CIA for many years that the term
“actuary” should be used only in reference to a person who is a qualified Fellow. Examples of
inappropriate use of the term “actuary” are as follows:
a. newspaper recruiting advertisements that purport to seek “an actuary” where the
candidate is described as requiring less than Fellowship status;
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b. companies where titles for employees such as “associate actuary” or “assistant
actuary” are used to denote positions occupied by persons who do not have
Fellowship status.
Many members of the CIA hold the view that these practices detract from the professional
image of the actuary. Therefore, all members of the Institute – Fellows, Associates, Affiliates,
and Correspondents – are requested to avoid using the term “actuary” in reference to a
person who is not a qualified Fellow.
Exemptions
N/A
Escalation Procedures/Management of Non-compliance with this Policy
The matter would be referred to the CIA Board.
Definitions and Abbreviations
N/A
Associated Documents
Rules of Professional Conduct
References
N/A
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Review
Approval date
Month XX, 201X
Effective date
Month XX, 201X
Approval authority
Board
Review owner
Eligibility and Education Council
Prior review and revision dates
N/A
Review cycle
Every five years
Next review date
2021
Procedures
3
N/A
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