FAQ

Common questions about JLCT are listed here. For questions that are not covered below, please contact us using the inquiry form (link).

About Nursing Care JLCT

Nursing Care JLCT measures and evaluates practical Japanese communication skills in the nursing-care field.
It is the FIRST and ONLY Japanese proficiency test certified by the Office of Healthcare Policy of Cabinet Secretariat, and it ｍeets the requirements for the “N3” level of the Technical Intern Training Program for the nursing care profession. For more information, please click here.
This test is for foreign technical intern trainees who are studying nursing care.
We encourage your participation in this test to measure the communication skills required at the workplace, not only to fulfill the “N3” requirement.
In Japan:
You can take the test at Public Test Sites in various locations throughout Japan, also Group Test Sites that we have certified as associate venues are available.

Outside of Japan:
Examinations are conducted in Indonesia, Nepal, China and Sri Lanka (as of June 2024). Please contact the local host institutions for each test session, as there may be cases where the test is not conducted due to circumstances in each country.

For more information, please read the following.
The Nursing Care JLCT test is conducted in March, July, and November.
The Nursing Care JLCT is conducted on Sundays in March, July, and November (Once a month).
For more information, please click here
There is no limit. You can take the test as many times as you like.
This test is designed to meet the Japanese language requirement “N3” for the Technical Intern Training No2(caregiving occupations) as defined by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. For more information, please click here.
No. As of July 2024, the Nursing Care JLCT is NOT yet certified as a Japanese language proficiency test for the specified skilled worker(Nursing Care).
However, it complies with the Japanese Language Ability Requirement for Technical Intern Training Program(Nursing).

Test Details

There are 3 sections:
– Listening Comprehension
– Language knowledge (letters and vocabulary)
– Conversation & Expression, Reading Comprehension

Click here for more details.
Test questions are based on words, conversations and themes from the scenes in the nursing care field.
Please check the previous exam questions.
Please clickHEREto see the previous exam questions.
There are no essays or Speaking tests. All are multiple-choice.
This is a paper-based examination with questions and answer sheets(mark sheet).
  Read the question
  Select one answer you think is correct from the choices
  Answer by filling in the designated section of the answer sheet (mark-sheet) with a pencil.
Use a pencil or mechanical pencil, fill in the bubble as dark as possible, carefully and completely.
Stay within the bubble and fill in no more than one bubble per row.
Otherwise the computer can not read your answer correctly. When correcting an answer, use an eraser to completely erase it and remove all the eraser dust.
How to fill in a mark sheet
How to fill in a mark sheet

Application Procedures

There are 3 types of Test Sites

  • Public Test Sites in Japan

    Nursing Care JLCT test is conducted at public test sites in each (not all) prefecture.Applications by individuals will not be accepted.
    Institutions such as nursing care facilities and supervising organizations can apply on behalf of individual examinees.
    For the test site(prefectures), please clickhere.
    For application procedures, please click here.

  • Group Test Sites in Japan

    The Nursing Care JLCT test is conducted at Group Test Sites set up by licensed institutions that have been accredited by JLCT.
    For a test center near you, please contact us.

  • Test Sites outside Japan

    The test is administered at a site set up and operated by a local host institution contracted by our association.
    Please contact the local host institution directly in the country/region where you wish to take the test.
    Click here for the contact list.

Public Test Sites in Japan: Institutions such as nursing care facilities and supervising organizations can apply on behalf of individual examinees.
Group Test Sites in Japan: Individuals not in the group can apply when group test sites are open for individual examinees. For details, please contact us.
Please check here for the location (prefecture) of the previous test.
We are planning to increase the test sites in accordance with requests.
You can cancel the registration. Please note that the test fee is non-refundable once the payment has been processed.
No. Your test slot cannot be transferred to another person.
Please follow the instructions of each local host institution.
Please follow the instructions of local institutions on how to receive the exam voucher.
The registered picture will be printed on the examination voucher and certificate.
 The photo must be:
 ・an ID photo facing straight at the camera  ・a recent photo taken in last ３ months
 ・No Cap/Hat  ・plain background
About religious clothing(hijab etc):
Religious clothing that the person wears daily is allowed.
The person’s face should be visible and no shadows, or clothing block the face.
The registered photo will be printed on the exam voucher and certificate.
There is no dress code or requirements. Preferably clean and tidy outfits like a set of suits is recommended.
If you cannot properly verify your identity with a photo
– taken with masks or hats/caps on
– that the person’s image is too small
– taken from official ID,
you may not be able to take the test.
The photo cannot be changed after the application process is completed.

On the day of the exam

  • Public Test Sites in Japan

    • Examination Voucher
    • The original of a valid government-issued photo ID. ※ Photocopies of ID are not acceptable.
    • Pencils or mechanical pencils (black, B or HB)
    • Eraser
    • Wristwatch (smart watches are not acceptable)

  • Group Test Sites in Japan

    Please follow the instructions of each licensed institution.

  • Test sites outside of Japan

    Please follow the instructions of each local host institution.

  • Public Test Sites in Japan

    You will not be able to take the exam without your examination voucher and a valid government-issued photo ID.
    Please make sure to bring them with you.

  • Group Test Sites in Japan

    Please follow the instructions of each licensed institution.

  • Test Sites outside of Japan

    Please follow the instructions of each local host institution.

Test papers can NOT be taken home with you.
You will be treated as absent.
There is no need to contact us or go through any procedures.
Please be reminded that we do not offer refunds or rescheduling.
Please follow the instructions of each licensed institution/local host institution.
You are not allowed to leave the room during the examination, as it may disturb other examinees.
Please follow the instructions of the licensed institutions/local host institutions.

About test results

Pass/fail decisions are based on the overall score and the points of correct answers in each Test Section.
For more information, please click here.
Approximately 3-4 weeks after the test, examination No. of successful examinees will be posted online(see View Your Test Result).
Approximately 1 month after the test, examinees will receive certificates.
Public Test Sites in Japan:
 Certificates will be sent out to the “My Page” business account holders (Institutions such as nursing care facilities and supervising organizations, etc.).
Group Test Sites in Japan & Test sites outside of Japan:
 Certificates will be sent out via the licensed institutions/local host institutions.
 For details, please directly contact them.
Nursing Care JLCT Certificates will not be issued to unsuccessful examinees.
Certificates can be reissued within the validity period (2 years from the date of exam).

  • Public Test Sites in Japan

    Please contact us.

  • Group Test Sites in Japan

    Please contact the licensed institution for reissuance.

  • Test Sites outside of Japan

    Please directly contact the local host institutions for reissuance.

Security paper is used for score reports/certificates to prevent counterfeiting.
If you are unsure or concerned about the documents, please contact us.
2 years from the date of the examination.
How to request correction on misspelling or errors, etc. on your Certificate:
It depends on the types of Test Sites. Please read the following.
Depending on the revision request, we may not be able to accept the order. Therefore please take that into consideration.

  • Public Test Sites in Japan

    My Page account holder(Institutions such as nursing care facilities and supervising organizations) can submit the reissuance form on behalf of individual examinees.
    Please submit the reissuance formreissuance form
    Correction and reissuance Fee: 1,500/sheet

  • Group Test Sites in Japan

    Please contact the licensed institutions to ask for the revision and its fee.

  • Test Sites outside Japan

    Please contact the local institutions to ask for the revision and its fee.

For any other questions, please contact us using the contact form.

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