Specified Skilled Worker Exam Guide | Test Content by Sector and Japanese Language Requirements

Tests Required to Obtain Specified Skilled Worker Status

To obtain the Specified Skilled Worker (i) residence status, as a general rule you must pass the following two types of tests.

1. Skills test — Confirms the skill level required for the work in each sector
2. Japanese language test — Confirms the Japanese language ability required for daily life and work in Japan

Basis: Ministerial Ordinance Establishing the Standards under Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

Two Options for the Japanese Language Test

To meet the Japanese language requirement for Specified Skilled Worker (i), you must pass one of the following tests.

Test Name	Administering Body	Passing Standard	Test Format	Frequency
Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)	The Japan Foundation / Japan Educational Exchanges and Services	N4 or above	Multiple-choice answer sheet	Twice a year (July and December)
The Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic)	The Japan Foundation	A2 level or above (200 points or more out of 250)	Computer-based testing (CBT)	On an ongoing basis

Difference Between JLPT N4 and JFT-Basic

• JLPT N4: Held only twice a year, so testing opportunities are limited. However, it is widely recognized internationally and is useful in other situations once obtained.
• JFT-Basic: Held on an ongoing basis, so there are many testing opportunities and results are known relatively quickly. This is the more convenient option if you are taking the test solely for Specified Skilled Worker purposes.

Additional Requirement for the Nursing Care Sector

Only in the nursing care sector, in addition to the Japanese language tests above, you must also pass the Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test.

Test Name	Content	Passing Standard
Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test	Understanding of Japanese used in nursing care settings	60% or more of the total score

Because nursing care settings require distinctive Japanese expressions such as “koekake” (verbal cues to patients) and “moushiokuri” (shift handover reports), additional Japanese language ability is required.

Skills Tests by Sector

The skills test for each sector is administered by the testing body designated by the ministry or agency with jurisdiction over that sector.

Sector	Test Name	Test Format
Nursing care	Nursing Care Skills Evaluation Test	CBT
Building cleaning	Specified Skills Evaluation Test for the Building Cleaning Sector	CBT and practical
Manufacture of industrial products (materials, industrial machinery, electric/electronics and information)	Specified Skills Evaluation Test for the Manufacturing Sector	CBT
Construction	Specified Skills Evaluation Test for the Construction Sector	CBT
Shipbuilding and ship machinery	Specified Skills Evaluation Test for the Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Sector	CBT and practical
Automobile maintenance	Specified Skills Evaluation Test for the Automobile Maintenance Sector	CBT and practical
Aviation	Specified Skills Evaluation Test for the Aviation Sector	CBT
Accommodation	Specified Skills Evaluation Test for the Accommodation Sector	CBT
Agriculture	Agriculture Skills Proficiency Test	CBT
Fishery	Fishery Skills Proficiency Test	CBT
Manufacture of food and beverages	Specified Skills Evaluation Test for the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Sector	CBT
Food service	Specified Skills Evaluation Test for the Food Service Sector	CBT

Cases of Exemption from Testing

Those who fall under the following are exempt from both the skills test and the Japanese language test.

Those who have satisfactorily completed Technical Intern Training (ii), where there is a relationship between the occupation/task of the technical intern training and the Specified Skilled Worker sector

“Satisfactorily completed” means having completed technical intern training as planned for 2 years and 10 months or more. If you have passed a practical test such as the National Trade Skills Test Grade 3, it is easier to prove satisfactory completion.

Overseas Testing

Skills tests and Japanese language tests are administered not only in Japan but also overseas. The main countries where they are held are as follows.

• Southeast Asia: Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal
• East Asia: China, Mongolia
• South Asia: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan
• Central Asia: Uzbekistan
• Others: The countries where tests are held differ by sector

Key Points for Test Preparation

1. Make use of official texts and sample questions — These are published on the website of each testing body
2. Prepare for Japanese early — Even the N4 level requires roughly 6 months to 1 year of study
3. Leverage technical intern training experience — If the sector is the same, you may be exempt from testing
4. Take advantage of JFT-Basic — It can be taken at any time, so there is no need to wait for a JLPT test date

How to Check the Test Schedule

The latest test schedules can be checked on the official website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Details are also posted on the websites of the testing bodies for each sector.

Reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “About the Specified Skilled Worker System” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/specifiedskilledworker.html

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