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23/12/2025
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Caregiving skills evaluation test for "Specified Skilled (i)" test schedule ※ Updated
4/2/2026
【 Latest Information 】
1. Overview of the System
The residence status “Specified Skilled Worker” was implemented on April 1, 2019 (Heisei 31) as a system to accept foreign workers with certain expertise and skills in industrial fields facing serious labor shortages, even after efforts to improve productivity and secure domestic human resources.
▶System Overview Leaflets (available in 12 languages) [Immigration Services Agency]
▶Application Procedures for “Specified Skilled Worker” [External link: Immigration Services Agency]
▶Operation Guidelines and Forms for “Specified Skilled Worker” [External link: Immigration Services Agency]
▶Comprehensive Policy for the Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals [External link: Immigration Services Agency]
▶Ministerial Conference on Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Human Resources [External link: Prime Minister’s Office]
Business establishments that wish to accept “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” in the caregiving field must fall under one of the following designated facilities that provide care services (excluding services provided in users’ homes).
▶Designated Facilities Accepting Specified Skilled Workers (i) in the Caregiving Field
｜Reference 1: List of Laws, Regulations, and Notifications Related to the Caregiving Field
▶Basic Policy on the Operation of the Specified Skilled Worker System
▶Sector-Specific Operational Policy for the Specified Skilled Worker System
▶Ministerial Ordinance Specifying Standards under Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item (ii) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, and Standards for Specified Skilled Employment Contracts and Support Plans for Specified Skilled Worker (i)
▶Details of Standards Set by the Competent Authorities in the Caregiving Field Based on the Above Ordinance
▶Operational Guidelines for the Caregiving Field under the Specified Skilled Worker Program
▶Appendix for the Caregiving Field
Main Text and Annex
Reference Form 1-1: Pledge Regarding the Acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers in the Caregiving Field [PDF]
Reference Form 1-2: Facility Overview Sheet for Institutions Employing Specified Skilled Workers in the Caregiving Field [PDF]
｜Reference 2: Bilateral Memorandums of Cooperation Regarding Specified Skilled Worker
▶Bilateral Memorandums of Cooperation and Country-Specific Procedures [External link: Immigration Services Agency]
2. About the Skill and Japanese Language Tests
The residence status “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” in the caregiving field applies to foreign nationals who meet the following conditions:
〇 Conducted in Japan
・ Skill Test (➀Caregiving Skills Evaluation Test) and
・ Japanese Language Tests (➁JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese) or JLPT N4 or higher and ➂Caregiving Japanese Language Evaluation Test)
must be passed.
▶Policy on Examinations for “Specified Skilled Worker” [Immigration Services Agency, Jan. 30, 2020]
▶Implementation Guidelines for the “Caregiving Skills Evaluation Test”
▶Implementation Guidelines for the “Caregiving Japanese Language Evaluation Test”
▶FY2022 Report on the Implementation of the Caregiving Skills and Japanese Language Evaluation Tests
｜ Exemption from Skill and Language Tests
The following individuals are exempt from taking the skill and language tests when applying for the “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” status:
○ Those who have successfully completed the Technical Intern Training (ii) in the caregiving occupation
○ Graduates of caregiving training institutions
○ EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) candidates for Certified Care Worker who have completed their 4-year stay
►Details of Eligibility Requirements
►Necessary Procedures
►Reissuance of the Certified Care Worker National Examination Result Notice (Overview)
►Procedure for Reissuance of the Certified Care Worker Examination Result Notice [For Applicant]
►Application Form for Reissuance of the Certified Care Worker Examination Result Notice [For Applicant] (PDF) (Excel) > External link
※ When applying for reissuance of the Certified Care Worker Examination Result Notice by a representative other than the applicant,
please check “Overview of the Reissuance of the Certified Care Worker Examination Result Notice” and
send the application documents by postal mail to the following address (Please include a self-addressed return envelope with postage).
Mailing address: Japan Welfare and Examination Center Foundation
1-5-6 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002, SEMPOS Building
｜ Overview of the Examination
▶[Caregiving Field] Overview of the Skill and Japanese Language Examinations
《About the Caregiving Skill Evaluation Test and the Caregiving Japanese Language Evaluation Test》
| Caregiving Skill Evaluation Test | Caregiving Japanese Language Evaluation Test | |
| Number of Questions / Test Time / Subjects |
Total: 45 questions (60 minutes)
(Written Test: 40 questions) ・Basic Knowledge of Caregiving (10 questions) ・Mind and Body Mechanisms (6 questions) ・Communication Skills (4 questions) ・Daily Life Support Skills (20 questions) (Practical Test: 5 questions) ・Tasks in the form of situational and judgment-based practical questions ► Examination Syllabus |
Total: 15 questions (30 minutes)
・Vocabulary Used in Caregiving (5 questions) ・Caregiving Conversations and Phrases (5 questions) ・Caregiving Documents (5 questions) |
| Method of Implementation |
Computer-Based Testing (CBT) system
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| Sample Questions | ||
| Examination Fee |
Approx. 1,000 yen
|
Approx. 1,000 yen
|
| Notification of Results | Test results will be displayed on the computer screen immediately after the examination. Within approximately five (5) business days after the test, examinees can obtain a score report via the official website, including their name, test name, test date, photo, total score, and pass/fail status. ※ Passing Criteria ・Caregiving Skill Evaluation Test: 60% or higher of the total score ・Caregiving Japanese Language Evaluation Test: 80% or higher of the total score |
|
｜ (1) Application Procedures
Ⅰ Test Schedule
▶ Click here for the Test Schedule (Overseas)
※ The schedule is updated periodically.
Please refresh the page after accessing the URL to view the latest information.
▶ Click here for the Test Schedule (Domestic)
※ The schedule is updated periodically.
Please refresh the page after accessing the URL to view the latest information.
▶ List of Test Centers
Ⅱ How to Apply
【Eligibility Requirements】
・Applicants must be 17 years of age or older. (For Indonesian nationals, 18 years or older.)
・For tests conducted in Japan, applicants must be 17 years or older and possess a valid residence status in Japan (limited to those holding a passport issued by a foreign government or regional authority designated by the Minister of Justice under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act).
※ According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, passing this examination does not automatically guarantee the granting of the “Specified Skilled Worker” residence status. Even if an application for the Certificate of Eligibility or change of status is submitted, approval is not guaranteed. In addition, visa issuance is subject to examination by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a visa may not necessarily be granted.
Please note the following when applying for the examination:
► Reservations can be made for test dates up to 60 days in advance. After taking the test, reapplication is not allowed for 45 days.
► Japanese nationals are not eligible to take this test.
▶Click here for information on domestic test applications
▶Apply for the test here
｜ (2) Examination Results
▶Click here for examination results
◆ Acceptance of New Foreign Human Resources in the Caregiving Field (Residence Status: Specified Skilled Worker) ＞External Link (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
