If I have 15 or more Professional Development (PD) units acquired through conversion, can these credits be applied to meet the requirement to complete a project?

Yes, but candidates with an interest in completing a project are encouraged to do so. They would then earn an additional 15 units for the project.

Candidates may want to discuss their approach to PD, including the educational objectives they wish to fulfil, with their advisors before starting to attend formal programs for PD credit. There is a time limit on such programs, in that a program is valid for a period of 25 months and could expire before the plan is completed if there is a delay in obtaining approval.

The credits taken must relate directly to the candidate’s legitimate educational objectives for the plan. If the program(s) used provides concrete support to the plan, there should be little risk of credits not being accepted.

There are various reasons - a lack of integration or cohesion among the plan elements (e.g. covering multiple practice areas), a superficial approach to extending the candidate’s expertise, or lack of relevance of the programs cited to the objectives for the plan. In general, there should be little risk if the candidate and advisor approach the process by first establishing educational objectives and then determining appropriate programs to support those objectives. 

Initially, the Letter of Commitment and the PD plan, both signed by the advisor and the candidate, must be submitted along with the PD filing fee and payment form. The Letter of Commitment and payment form may be obtained from the SOA web site or the SOA's Basic Education Catalog.

Model Plans have been developed and are available on the web site. Candidates filing Model Plans will still be required to file a copy of the signed Model Plan and Letter of Commitment; and will also need to submit the filing fee and payment form. Candidates may use the Model Plans exactly as written or as a framework for their plans, and adapt the plans to meet their individual PD needs.

Upon completion of a PD plan, the candidate and advisor will submit to the SOA a final executed plan, a final report attesting to the successful completion of the plan and fulfillment of the educational objectives, and the Executed Plan Review Checklist signed by the candidate and advisor. The advisor and candidate must sign-off on the executed plan and report. Because the plan is unique to each candidate, we believe the attestation of a completed plan should also be unique and therefore we do not envision drafting a standardized form. The attestation should also include a written report on the project and written summaries on each program attended explaining how each program helped to attain the educational objectives of the plan and how the candidate may put to use the knowledge gained. Program content information and handouts are required for any non-approved programs. See also Tips for Submitting your PD Plan Documents.

In the completion report the candidate should discuss how each program element contributed to meeting the educational objectives of the plan. The candidate should not simply describe the program or assume that the SOA PD Committee will recognize the program's applicability to the stated educational objectives, but should discuss how each activity has contributed to their development. Such discussion can be concise but should relate to the candidate's personal learning experience.

When there are modifications to the initial plan or specific programs were not identified at the time the initial plan was submitted, the executed plan report should describe the activity as well as discuss how it related to the plan's educational objectives.

In their program summaries, candidates might consider why they decided to include a particular program in their PD plan and what they learned from the program that they can apply to their own professional practice. A candidate's summary of an attended program might even indicate that the program did not provide them with the educational value they expected to receive. Candidates are encouraged to evaluate and critique the programs they attended as they relate the programs to their own PD plan. See also: Excerpts from Approved Executed Plans

There are no absolute restrictions on the relationship between the candidate and the advisor. The professionalism of both parties governs, and they are subject to the SOA professional code and related requirements.

It would certainly be prudent to consult your advisor before beginning to attend sessions and seminars, to ensure that such programs fit with your advisor’s expectations. If you have attended a recent program that fits well with your objectives, the advisor may agree to its inclusion in the plan. (Also see answer to Question 2 above.)

Generally, the plan should be completed within a 25-month period. The 25-month window begins with the date of the first formal program within the execution of the plan. The project completion date would be viewed as the date of its acceptance by the advisor. The 25-month time frame may be expanded slightly to include a third SOA Spring or Annual meeting if the first program element of the plan is such a meeting. The same temporal sequence would be recognized/accepted for professional education meetings of other recognized actuarial organizations. For example, a candidate whose PD plan time frame begins with sessions at an SOA Spring meeting for Health/Pension held in May of 2000, may also include sessions at the SOA Spring meeting for Health/Pension in 2002, even if the meeting is held in June of 2002.

Evaluation-validated PD options (professional examinations that qualify for PD credit) do not expire, and are not subject to the 25-month restriction.

Requests for SOA-approved status of professional programs should come from the professional organization offering the program. See also: Information on Applying for SOA-Approved PD Credit. In the case of nontraditional programs, the candidate may submit a letter requesting approval, along with documentation such as full program descriptions, confirmation of successful completion, if already completed, and published information on the organization offering the program. It would be prudent to submit the requests prior to attending the program.

The organization requesting SOA-approved status for a particular program should be aware that any material provided on these programs will be distributed to the SOA PD Committee for review. The requesting organization will be responsible for securing the necessary approval for reproduction of materials from the program sponsor.

The advisor is expected to help the candidate choose a Model Plan or provide guidance regarding the development of a custom plan by helping to select professional development programs that are consistent with the candidate’s professional goals and educational gaps. The amount of time spent by advisors with their candidates is expected to vary based on candidates’ needs, preferences, location, etc. Candidates and advisors are advised to discuss mutual expectations in advance of signing the letter of commitment. Advisors and candidates should also refer to additional information provided in the SOA’s Guidelines to Advisors.

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