What are the requirements to complete the CSPA credential?
The following must be completed to earn the CSPA credential:
- Property-Casualty Insurance Fundamentals (PC1) online course and exam
- Data Concepts and Visualization (DS1) online course and exam
- An Ethics and Professionalism course (must be completed prior to taking Predictive Modeling – Methods and Techniques)
- Predictive Modeling – Methods and Techniques (DS2) exam
- A Case Study project
Do ACAS and FCAS credential holders qualify for any waivers?
ACAS and FCAS designees fully satisfy the first requirement, Property Casualty Insurance Fundamentals, as well as the Ethics and Professionalism course requirement.
Are there any other waivers available?
A waiver for PC1 is extended to candidates who have completed CAS Online Courses 1 and 2, as well as CAS exam 5. Additionally, the CAS Course on Professionalism fulfills the Ethics and Professionalism requirement. CAS candidates who have passed exam MAS-II can apply to waive the Predictive Modeling – Methods and Techniques requirement, provided they complete a short online course to cover required material missing from MAS-II. Please note that the waiver is only available to those who have passed exam MAS-II. If you have credit for MAS-II via another exam, you do not qualify for the waiver.
To apply for a waiver, please see the Waivers section
Are all of the exams in multiple choice format?
The 1st and 2nd assessments are in multiple choice format. The 3rd assessment – Predictive Modeling and Techniques – will be offered using an online platform which may include some multiple choice, short answer and ”hands-on” questions. For example, you may be asked to write simple R code and run that code against a provided dataset to generate output.
How is the Case Study project graded?
Each case study must be completed within 2 months and has an estimated completion time of 50 hours. The case study project will be reviewed by a panel of qualified Subject Matter Experts. Each project will have a minimum acceptable standard. If the subject work submitted is incomplete, it will be not be accepted. If the project work is complete but is deficient relative to the standard, a candidate will be provided with suggestions and receive one additional month to correct the deficiencies. (There will be an additional re-test fee if the additional month is required.)
What are the consequences of failing an exam or case study?
Candidates who fail to pass a CSPA assessment are able to take the assessment over again for a re-test fee. There is no limit to the number of times a candidate can attempt either an exam or project.
Can I use any computer to complete the case study project? What defines a “secure environment”?
Any computer can be used to complete the case study project. It has been recommended that candidates use a Chrome Browser for the optimal experience. Secured environment means that all of the work will be done while logged in and using the tools provided; the data set will not be downloadable.
What is the recommended study time, number of exam questions and maximum time allowed for each exam?
| Course | Study Time (est.) | # Questions | Time Allowed |
| Online Ethics Module | 2-3 hours | Not timed | |
| CSPA Exam 1 | 100-150 hours | 75 | 3 hours |
| PC2 | 2-3 hours | Not timed | |
| CSPA Exam 2 | 250-300 hours | 100 | 3 hours |
| CSPA Exam 3 | 300-350 hours | varies | 4 hours |
| CSCR Exam 1 | 250-300 hours | 100 | 3 hours |
| CSCR Exam2 | 200-250 hours | 60 | 2 hours |
| CSCR Exam3 | 300-350 hours | 125 | 3 hours |
| CSCR Exam4 | 250-300 hours | 100 | 3 hours |
