Terms and Conditions
These terms govern examinations conducted by the International Protocol Accreditation Association (hereinafter “the Association”). By applying for an examination, you are deemed to have accepted these terms.
1. Eligibility
Examinations of the Association are open to all who wish to sit them, without regard to where they have studied, which institution they attended, or their nationality.
Specialist accreditation is open to members of the Association. Membership may be taken up at the time of application.
2. Application and Fees
Applications must be made by the method prescribed by the Association. Registration is complete upon payment of the examination fee.
Fees must be paid by the date specified. Where payment is not confirmed by that date, the application will be cancelled.
3. Cancellation and Refunds
Examination fees are not refundable once paid.
Where an examination is not held for reasons attributable to the Association, the fee will be refunded in full.
Candidates unable to attend for unavoidable reasons should notify the Association in advance. Transfer to a subsequent sitting may be discussed.
4. Conduct of Examinations
Examinations are held in person, at a venue designated by the Association.
The written examination is taken on a computer. Candidates are to bring their own machine, which will be inspected by the Association before the examination begins.
The practical assessment is conducted individually, in a separate room, following the written examination.
5. Conduct on the Day
The following are prohibited during the examination.
- Use of any application or website unrelated to the examination
- Use of mobile telephones or any other communication device
- Reference to books, notes or other materials
- Communication with other candidates, or viewing their answers
- Failure to follow the instructions of the invigilator
Personal effects including mobile telephones must be deposited in the place designated before the examination begins.
Any breach will result in the examination being declared void and the candidate required to leave. No refund will be made.
6. Protection of Examination Content
Examination papers and all related content are the intellectual property of the Association. The following are strictly prohibited.
- Photographing, recording or capturing the examination screen
- Audio recording of examination content
- Transcribing questions, or reconstructing them from memory
- Disclosing, supplying or publishing examination content to any third party
- Producing or selling teaching materials, courses or other works derived from examination content
Where any such act is established, a penalty of JPY 500,000 shall be payable.
Where the loss suffered by the Association exceeds that sum, the Association reserves the right to claim the difference separately. Where examination content is used for commercial purposes, damages may exceed JPY 1,000,000.
Accreditation will additionally be revoked, and the individual barred from sitting future examinations.
7. Accreditation and Certificates
Results are notified by the method prescribed by the Association.
Successful candidates receive a certificate bearing the discipline, grade, accreditation number and language of examination.
Accreditation reflects attainment at the time of examination. As examination content is revised periodically, a subsequent sitting will update the accreditation to the most recent result.
8. Use of the Qualification
Those accredited may state the qualification on business cards, curricula vitae, social media and similar.
The discipline and grade must be stated accurately. Any statement that is false or liable to mislead is prohibited.
Qualifications may not be transferred or lent to another person.
9. Personal Information
Personal information provided upon application is used for the conduct of the examination, issue of the certificate, and correspondence from the Association.
It will not be supplied to third parties without consent, save where required by law.
10. Amendment
The Association may amend these terms as necessary. Amended terms take effect upon publication on the Association’s website.
11. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms are governed by the law of Japan. The Tokyo District Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction at first instance over any dispute arising in relation to them.
Established 2026