Validation by Educational Experience (VEE)

What is Validation by Educational Experience (VEE)?

Validation by educational experience (VEE) is a process for validating candidate knowledge of topics not tested by any of the ASA exams. Validation through the VEE process is appropriate for topics that are either best learned in a classroom environment, or are considered important, but not core to actuarial work.

Candidates are required to complete the VEE requirements for three different topics. Some VEE topics have two requirements:

1. Economics
   1. Requirement 1: Microeconomics
   2. Requirement 2: Macroeconomics
2. Accounting and Finance
   1. Requirement 1: Accounting
   2. Requirement 2: Finance
3. Mathematical Statistics

NOTE: Some candidates may be eligible to obtain VEE transition credit for the previously required topics of Corporate Finance and Applied Statistics.

Candidates can receive VEE credit by showing that they have successfully completed VEE-approved university courses or alternate educational experiences found in the VEE Directory of Approved Courses and Alternate Options.

What are the VEE eligibility requirements?

VEE Candidate Credit Applications must meet the following conditions:

• The candidate has passed at least two actuarial examinations with the SOA or CAS
  • Credit must appear on the SOA online transcript.
• The course/option being submitted for VEE credit has been approved and is listed in the Directory of Approved Courses and Alternate Options.
  • If a course doesn’t appear in the VEE Directory of Approved Courses and Alternate Options, you have the option to submit a Course Approval Application. Please check the Guidelines for Course Approval to see if the course meets all the necessary requirements before sending in the Course Approval application.
• Two approved courses/options may be combined to complete a VEE topic requirement. For example, an approved accounting course from one university may be combined with an approved finance course from another school or provider.
• Candidates may not submit applications for partial credit (e.g., an approved accounting course may not be submitted alone, it must be on the same application with an approved finance course). Applications can only be submitted after all requirements for that topic have been completed.
• A grade of at least B- is required
  • If the institution uses a different grading scale, the requirement can be updated.
    • The SOA must receive documentation published by the university or an email from a university representative (faculty or Office of the Registrar). Email directly to vee@soa.org.

Can I combine VEE credit from multiple sources to complete a topic requirement?

Candidates may combine approved courses/experiences from multiple providers to complete a VEE topic requirement. Courses may be offered at the same school, different schools, or an alternate VEE option provider.

How do I Apply for VEE credit?

You may apply for VEE credit from the VEE Home Page, under “Applying for VEE Credit”

• A separate order must be placed for each VEE topic.
• Candidates must submit official original transcript(s) from all the institutions listed on the application
  • Transcripts must be sent directly to the VEE Administration Committee.
    • Mailed to:
      • VEE Administration Committee
        Society of Actuaries
        8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Suite 1000
        Chicago, IL 60631
    • Due to COVID-19, the SOA will temporarily be accepting e-transcripts
      • Email to: vee@soa.org
  • Transcript copies, school grade reports, or unofficial transcripts printed from a university website do NOT meet the documentation requirement.
  • ACTEX and NEAS grade records are sent directly to the SOA; you do not need to submit a transcript if applying for VEE credit using those courses.
  • When submitting multiple applications at the same time, candidates only need to provide one transcript per institution.
  • The SOA does not keep transcripts on file.
• Candidates will receive an email confirmation when the Candidate Credit Application and payment have been received.
• When the SOA receives all required transcripts, the order will be placed in queue to be processed.
  • Typical approval processing time may take up to four weeks
• Candidates will receive a confirmation email once the VEE Credit Application has been approved.
  • Credits will appear on the SOA transcript within 24 hours.

PLEASE NOTE: During times of high volume, VEE order processing times may increase up to six weeks. It is the candidate’s responsibility to submit orders early enough to allow enough time to meet any personal deadlines. We process VEE Credit Applications in the order received (once all transcripts are received) and cannot accept requests to expedite orders.

Can I submit my VEE transcript electronically?

Due to COVID-19, the SOA is temporarily accepting VEE transcripts by email. Transcripts should be sent from the school directly to vee@soa.org. We will not process transcripts sent from candidates.

Also, once your e-transcript has been processed, we will not keep it on file.

How many VEE transcripts do I need to provide?

You will need to provide one transcript per institution. If you are applying for multiple credits from the same institution, only one transcript is necessary.

Does the SOA keep transcripts on file for VEE?

No, the SOA does not keep transcripts on file. A transcript must be provided each time you send a VEE Candidate Credit Application.

How can I get VEE Applied Statistics credit?

As of July 1, 2018 Applied Statistics is no longer a required VEE topic.

• Applied Statistics credit earned prior to July 1, 2018 can be claimed at any time. That credit gets converted to credit for two items:
  • VEE Mathematical Statistics
  • Statistics for Risk Modeling Exam
• Candidates who did not earn VEE Applied Statistics prior to July 1, 2018 must pass the Statistics for Risk Modeling Exam and earn the VEE Mathematical Statistics requirement.

For more guidance on claiming VEE transition credits, please review the information found on these pages:

• Transition Credit for Previously Required VEE Topics
• Validation by Education Experience Requirements

I requested VEE credit several weeks ago and do not see it on my transcript.

It can take 4-6 weeks to appear on your transcript.

If you are still having issues:

1. Confirm that you or the course provider sent the transcript to SOA
2. Email vee@soa.org for further assistance