The pricing updates reflect the SOA’s commitment to supporting the actuarial profession globally and acknowledging that candidates live in countries with varied economic conditions. By expanding and refining international discounts, we are making SOA credentials more accessible to qualified candidates worldwide.

Global Access Pricing is now available for qualified candidates. Candidates who reside in a qualifying country and have their Primary Address correctly listed in their SOA profile can register for ASA and FSA components from the appropriate Tier web page. When registering using the links on the specified page, discounted fees will be automatically applied during the registration process. Please note that exams must also be taken in a qualifying country for the discount to apply. Attempting to register for a discount using an address different from your primary residence, such as your employer’s address, or testing outside of the qualifying country may result in fee adjustments and/or an ethics compliance review.

We understand why this question comes up, especially when pricing changes after you’ve already registered for an exam, course or module. Each January, SOA updates its fees, and those changes—whether increases or decreases—apply only to new registrations made after the update. If a registration window has closed, no further changes can be made. Even when the window is still open, the same policy still applies so that all candidates are treated consistently. Earlier purchases can’t be adjusted retroactively.

For exams, registering generates a unique Prometric scheduling code that many candidates use right away to secure their preferred appointment. Changing an existing order would cancel that code and could affect the availability of your chosen date, time, or location. We want to avoid any risk of disrupting your scheduled exam.

For courses, the same practice applies: registrations completed prior to the new fee structure aren’t eligible for adjustments to ensure that no course progress is lost.

If you plan to test in a non-qualifying country, you must update your SOA profile to reflect your current address prior to registration. If you received or selected a discount at registration but ultimately test in a non-qualifying country, you will be invoiced for the difference. This balance must be paid before you can continue progressing through your pathway.

Examination centers are not established in all qualified countries. Also, the accessibility of examination services in the following countries is contingent upon the availability of secure and reasonable shipping methods: Algeria, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire; Iraq; Kyrgyz; Lao PDR; and Tajikistan.

If you must test in a non-qualified country due to the lack of an examination center in your home country, please email customerservice@soa.org. Our team will review your situation and note this exception on your account.

Global Access Pricing is designed to reduce financial barriers in markets where the majority of candidates face lower economic circumstances compared to those in Tier 1 countries. When World Bank updates a country classification to a higher-tier economy, it is assumed that access to income and economic opportunity has changed in a way that no longer aligns with the criteria for the discount.

Global Access Pricing is designed to reduce financial barriers in markets where the majority of candidates face lower economic circumstances compared to those in Tier 1 countries. When a candidate relocates to a higher-tier economy, it is assumed that access to income and economic opportunity has changed in a way that no longer aligns with the criteria for the discount.

Because of this, Global Access Pricing cannot continue once you move to a non-qualifying country.

The pricing structure was developed through research across global service and education sectors, along with insights from a two-year pilot in India and Pakistan. Registration trends, data analysis, and candidate feedback from that pilot informed the decision to expand the model to all qualifying countries.

The World Bank’s income-based country classifications are used to guide the pricing tiers. This provides a consistent, external benchmark that many organizations use to offer market-appropriate discounts without creating a unique pricing model for every individual country.

The updated pricing model has no effect or impact on the content and format of the exams.

Candidates can share their feedback and suggestions by contacting  customerservice@soa.org.