Tokutei Kaigo eligibility and who is exempt

Updated 19 October 2026

Before you apply, make sure you are eligible and check whether you are exempt. This summary comes from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare page, checked on 19 October 2026.

17+minimum age (18+ for Indonesia)
N4minimum JLPT, or JFT-Basic
3exemption routes from the Kaigo tests
45 dayswait before a retake

Who can take the tests

Age: 17 or over on the test day. Indonesian nationals must be 18 or over.
Testing inside Japan: you need a valid residence status.
Nationality: Japanese nationals cannot take this exam.
Testing overseas: there are separate schedules by country, including Vietnam. Check the Prometric schedule.

General Japanese

To work as a 特定技能1号 care worker, besides the two Kaigo tests you must show general Japanese in one of two ways:

JFT-Basic (国際交流基金日本語基礎テスト), level A2 or higher.
JLPT (日本語能力試験) N4 or higher.

The 介護日本語評価試験 only measures Japanese used in care; it does not replace these.

Take a timed Kaigo practice test and see right away which answers were wrong and why.

Try it free now

The first 3 tests of each part are free, with furigana and translations. Opens in your browser, no account needed.

Who is exempt from the two Kaigo tests

People who completed Technical Intern Training (ii) (第2号技能実習) in care work in good standing.
People who graduated from a 介護福祉士 training school (介護福祉士養成施設).
People who completed the 4-year stay as an EPA 介護福祉士 candidate.

Exemptions can have extra conditions; read the official page or ask your employer before skipping the tests.

Passing is not a visa

Passing both tests and having a Japanese certificate are requirements only. The Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) decides on the residence status together with your employment contract and other documents. General information on Specified Skilled Workers is on ssw.go.jp.

If you fail

You cannot retake for 45 days, counted from the day after the test. Use that time on your weak areas, then book again. See registration and study tips.

Sources: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Kaigo test page, JFT-Basic, JLPT. Rules can change.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum age?

17 or over on the test day; 18 for Indonesian nationals.

I have JLPT N4. Do I still take the care Japanese test?

Yes. JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic shows general Japanese; the 介護日本語評価試験 is separate unless you are exempt.

Are care technical interns exempt?

People who completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in care work in good standing are exempt from the two Kaigo tests. Confirm with your employer.

Can I take it in Japan on a student visa?

Testing inside Japan requires a valid residence status. Check the details on the official page before you apply.