Here are some professions that are semi-regulated by their respective professional bodies in Singapore and overseas. These are not regulated professions by government bodies, but professionals in these industries are expected to have some relevant certifications to be recognized.
This list is non exhaustive.
Actuaries in Singapore are not a licensed/regulated profession in the same statutory sense as doctors or lawyers — there’s no government law requiring you to hold a licence to call yourself an actuary. However, the profession has its own rigorous qualification pathway and professional body.
Governing Body Singapore Actuarial Society (SAS) — the local professional body. The SAS is not an examining body and does not offer any actuarial examinations itself. Instead, it recognises qualifications from international actuarial associations.
Recognised Examining Bodies (Category 1) The following bodies are recognised as Category 1 Actuarial Associations by SAS that function as examination entities:
| Body | Acronym | Based In |
| Institute and Faculty of Actuaries | IFoA | UK |
| Society of Actuaries | SOA | USA |
| Casualty Actuarial Society | CAS | USA |
Qualification Pathway
1. Education As a prerequisite, actuaries are required to obtain a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, mathematics, applied finance, business studies, statistics, or a closely related field.
2. Professional Exams Actuaries can get certified by the CAS or the SOA. An associate-level certification takes four to seven years, with an additional two to three years for a fellowship. The IFoA pathway has a similar structure.
3. Work Experience To be fully qualified, actuaries need to complete their qualifications while working. Most local and foreign companies that hire actuaries provide support in the form of study leave and financial incentives for passing examinations.
4. Continuing Education Actuaries must be up to date with relevant knowledge through continuing education and professional development.
Career Levels
| Level | Description |
| Actuarial Analyst/Student | Working while sitting exams; no full qualification needed for many roles |
| Associate | Passed associate-level exams (FIAA, ASA, or ACAS equivalent) |
| Fellow | Highest designation (FIA, FSA, or FCAS); required for signing off on statutory actuarial opinions |
One does not have to be a fully qualified actuary to take on actuarial-related roles in Singapore — there are job roles that do not require the attainment of associateship or fellowship.
Key Sectors Hiring Actuaries in Singapore
- Life & general insurance
- Reinsurance
- Consulting firms
- Government (MAS, CPF Board)
- Banks and investment firms
The average time for an actuary to earn a full qualification is four years, which includes a degree and qualification by a recognised actuarial body such as IFoA, SOA, or CAS.
Economist in Singapore
Regulation Status
Not a licensed profession. Unlike doctors or lawyers, there is no Singapore law requiring economists to register with a governing body before practising. The title “economist” is not legally protected.
Typical Educational Requirements
| Level | Details |
| Minimum | Bachelor’s degree in Economics, or related fields like mathematics, statistics, finance, or public policy |
| For research/academic roles | Master’s or PhD in Economics often expected |
| For government/policy roles | Strong academic record; postgraduate qualifications preferred |
Professional Bodies (Voluntary)
There is no mandatory professional association, but economists in Singapore may affiliate with:
- Economic Society of Singapore (ESS) — the main local professional network; membership is voluntary
- International bodies — such as the American Economic Association (AEA), Royal Economic Society, etc., depending on specialisation.
Where Economists Work in Singapore
| Sector | Typical Employer |
| Government | Ministry of Trade & Industry, MAS, Ministry of Finance, EDB |
| Central Banking | Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) |
| Research & Academia | NUS, NTU, SMU, research institutes |
| Financial Services | Banks, asset managers, hedge funds (often as economists/strategists) |
| Consulting | McKinsey, Deloitte, economic consulting firms |
| International Organisations | World Bank, ADB, IMF regional offices |
Risk, Finance & Analytics
These fields rely heavily on standardized technical knowledge, so employers treat certifications as de facto requirements.
- Actuaries — SOA, IFoA, CAS designations (e.g., ASA, FSA, CERA).
Not legally required, but globally expected for professional practice. Society of Actuaries (SOA) - Financial Analysts — CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst).
Often required for investment roles even though regulators don’t mandate it. - Quantitative Analysts / Risk Managers — FRM (Financial Risk Manager), PRM (Professional Risk Manager).
Used globally to signal risk‑modelling competence. - Economists — No governing body; PhD is the norm, but certifications like CBE (Certified Business Economist) are increasingly used in industry.
Academia relies on degrees; industry uses certifications as credibility markers. - Treasury & Corporate Finance Professionals — ACT (Association of Corporate Treasurers), CTP (Certified Treasury Professional).
Technology & Data
Tech is largely unregulated, but employers use certifications to benchmark skills.
- Cloud Architects / Engineers — AWS, Azure, Google Cloud certifications.
Not legally required, but often hiring prerequisites for senior roles. - Cybersecurity Professionals — CISSP, CISM, CEH, OSCP.
CISSP is often treated as a minimum bar for leadership roles. - Data Scientists / ML Engineers — TensorFlow Developer Certificate, Databricks certifications. Used to validate practical competence in absence of regulation.
Project, Process & Operations
These certifications are globally recognised frameworks rather than legal requirements.
- Project Managers — PMP, PRINCE2.
Many organisations require PMP for senior PM roles. - Business Analysts — CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional).
- Quality & Process Professionals — Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt), Lean certifications.
- Supply Chain Professionals — APICS (CSCP, CPIM).
Accounting & Finance (Non‑regulated roles)
Note: Accountants themselves are regulated in many countries, but several adjacent roles are not.
- Internal Auditors — CIA (Certified Internal Auditor).
Not legally required, but widely expected in multinational companies.
Management Accountants — CMA (Certified Management Accountant).
Used globally for corporate finance roles.
Sustainability, ESG & Environment
A rapidly professionalising field with no statutory licensing.
- Sustainability / ESG Analysts — CFA ESG Certificate, GARP SCR (Sustainability & Climate Risk).
- Environmental Management Professionals — ISO 14001 Lead Auditor certifications.
Carbon Accounting Specialists — GHG Protocol certifications, ISO 14064.
Human Resources & People Operations
HR is not a regulated profession, but global companies rely on standardized credentials.
- HR Professionals — SHRM‑CP, SHRM‑SCP, HRCI (PHR/SPHR).
Often required for HRBP or HR Director roles in multinational firms. - Compensation & Benefits Specialists — CCP (Certified Compensation Professional).
Marketing, Communications & Creative
These fields rely on portfolio + certification signalling.
- Digital Marketers — Google Ads, Meta Blueprint, HubSpot certifications.
- Communications Professionals — IABC’s CMP / SCMP certifications.
- UX Designers — Nielsen Norman Group certifications.
Logistics, Aviation & Maritime (Non‑licensed roles)
Some roles are regulated (pilots, ship captains), but many adjacent roles are not.
- Aviation Safety / Operations Specialists — IATA certifications.
Not legally required but widely expected in airlines and airports. - Logistics & Supply Chain Managers — FIATA, APICS.
