While a degree in actuarial sciences is not essential to becoming an actuary, getting certified is. Before you can work as an actuary, you must begin the process of becoming certified through either the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries (SOA). The first certification you must pursue is an associate certification, which you can earn by following these steps: Pass a Validation of Educational Experience (VEE) in applied statistics, corporate finance, and economics. A committee will review your college coursework, grades, and/or examination scores to see if you have been adequately educated on essential topics in these areas. Complete online courses in professionalism and in the fundamentals of actuarial practice. These classes are offered by each actuarial society. Pass several actuarial examinations. If you seek certification through the CAS, you will take seven exams. The SOA requires five exams. Each exam demands hundreds of hours of study and preparation. Once you have your associate certification and gain a few years of working experience, you can pursue a fellowship certification through the CAS.