Disciplines
Six disciplines,
one scale
Three fields — social, business and diplomatic — offered in two series, international and national. Every examination may be sat in Japanese or in English, and the language is recorded on the certificate.
IPAA is the world’s first and only association to certify international protocol by graded examination. As languages have their international examinations, these six disciplines were designed to give protocol a common measure.
We do not set separate papers for separate grades. All candidates in a discipline sit the same examination, and the grade awarded follows from the marks obtained.
The International Series
International Social Protocol
Conduct in international social settings, and the ability to read a room
International Business Protocol
Negotiation, hospitality and cross-cultural judgement in international business
International Diplomatic Protocol
Diplomatic ceremony, international conferences and formal occasions
The Japan Series
Japanese Social Protocol
Conduct and custom rooted in Japanese social life
Japanese Business Protocol
Custom in Japanese business, and the reading of unspoken signals
Japanese Diplomatic Protocol
Japanese diplomatic ceremony and formal state occasions
What lies further
Those seeking specialist accreditation sit the practical assessment on the same day, and are accredited on the result of the written paper and the practical taken together.
International Protocol Specialist
Bilingual Protocol Specialist
Sitting the examination
Review the grades and marking, then apply for the discipline of your choosing.
Preparation may be undertaken at one of our Certified Academies.