Apply for Examination
Applying to sit
Choose the option that suits you below. At the point of application you will be asked for the discipline, the language in which you wish to sit, whether you wish to sit in person or online, and your preferred date.
How examinations are held
Written Examination
Open to all who wish to sit. Held on a computer. Candidates sitting the written paper alone are marked out of 500, and the Fifth to First Grade are awarded.
Practical Assessment
For those seeking specialist accreditation. Held individually, following the written examination on the same day, and marked together with it out of 1000.
Two ways to apply
Sit the written examination, marked out of 500. The grade awarded follows from the marks obtained, from the Fifth to the First Grade. There is no restriction by grade — anyone may apply.
For those seeking specialist accreditation. You sit the same written paper, then continue to the practical assessment on the same day.
Written and practical are marked together out of 1000. A total of 600 or above earns accreditation as a specialist, in one of four bands according to the marks obtained.
Where the total falls below 600, the grade earned in the written examination is awarded nonetheless.
You need not hold the First Grade in advance to sit the practical assessment. The written paper you sit on the day is counted towards the assessment.
The examination may be sat in person or online. In either case, you use your own computer for the written paper.
Where you sit
The examination may be sat in person at a venue, or online. Candidates outside Japan may sit from anywhere in the world. The examination and the marking are identical in either case; only the manner of invigilation differs. The fee is the same whether you sit in person or online, and the language of examination is chosen at the point of application.
Sitting in person
Held at a venue on the second Saturday of February and July. The written examination begins at 10:00, and the practical assessment follows the same afternoon. Candidates are invigilated in person. Please bring your own computer for the written paper.
Sitting online
Sat from home or elsewhere on the fourth Saturday of February and July. The written examination begins at 10:00 JST; candidates in Europe, the Middle East and other regions may instead choose a 15:00 JST start. The practical assessment follows the same afternoon.
A laptop with a front-facing camera to sit the examination; a smartphone placed behind you as a second camera, to capture your hands and surroundings; a stable internet connection; and a means of keeping each device charged. Instructions for positioning the camera are sent after application.
Examination fees
Scheduled sittings
| Option | Fee |
|---|---|
| Written examination only | JPY 11,000 |
| Written examination with practical | JPY 33,000 |
Individual sittings
Where the minimum number of candidates is not reached, or where a date is arranged individually.
| Option | Fee |
|---|---|
| Written examination only | JPY 33,000 |
| Written examination with practical | JPY 55,000 |
Application and payment must be completed no later than one month before each date. Where applications fall below the minimum number, a sitting may not be held; in that case we notify you at least one month before, and you may choose a refund, transfer to a later sitting, or an individual sitting (at the individual fee). If you do not respond within three days, your place is transferred to the next sitting. No refund is given for cancellation at your own convenience. Please see our Terms and Conditions for details.
From application
to examination
Apply
Choose your option below and complete the application, giving the discipline, language, whether you sit in person or online, and your preferred date.
Pay the fee
Payment is made at the point of application, by card or by bank transfer.
Receive confirmation
We write to you with the date, the venue or online joining details, and what to bring on the day.
Apply
Choose the option that suits you. You will be asked for the discipline, the language, whether you sit in person or online, and your preferred date.
Please review our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy before applying.
Completing payment of the examination fee constitutes acceptance of both.
Written only
JPY 11,000
Fifth to First Grade. Open to all — no prior grade required.
ApplyWritten with practical
JPY 33,000
For those seeking specialist accreditation. The practical assessment follows on the same day.
ApplyFor any question, do write to us.
Preparation may be undertaken at one of our Certified Academies.