Starting from the 38th Certified Care Worker National Examination in January 2026, a new system called “Partial Pass (Exemption from Retaking Passed Parts)” has been introduced. This allows people who want to obtain the certified care worker qualification to study at their own pace and plan accordingly.
This article provides a clear explanation of the ‘Partial Pass (Exemption from Retaking Passed Parts)’ system.
Contents:
What is "Partial Pass (Exemption from Retaking Passed Parts)"?
Under the previous system, you had to pass the entire Certified Care Worker National Examination all at once. To pass, you have to achieve a total score above the passing threshold across all subjects and also score at least one point in every subject group.
Even with the introduction of “Partial Pass (Exemption from Retaking Passed Parts),” the requirements for passing remain unchanged. However, even if examinees cannot pass in one attempt, the examination subject groups are now divided into three parts—A, B, and C—with pass/fail determined for each part separately. Parts that are passed will be exempted from retaking in the following year and the year after that.
For example, if you pass Part A in your first examination, you will be exempted from taking Part A for up to two years. In subsequent examinations, you only need to pass Parts B and C, allowing you to focus your studies on the parts you did not pass.
Content of the Three Parts in the Certified Care Worker National Examination
The Certified Care Worker National Examination consists of 125 questions in total, divided into 13 subjects and 11 subject groups. Starting from the 38th Certified Care Worker National Examination, the subject groups are divided into three parts: A, B, and C. You can check which subjects belong to which part in the table below.
| Part | Subject | Subject Group | Number of Questions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | 1 | Human Dignity and Independence | ① | 2 |
| 2 | Caregiving basics | 10 | ||
| 3 | Understanding society | ② | 12 | |
| 4 | Human relationships and communication | ③ | 4 | |
| 5 | Communication skills | 6 | ||
| 6 | Life support skills | ④ | 26 | |
| Part B | 7 | Mind and body mechanism | ⑤ | 12 |
| 8 | Understanding development and aging | ⑥ | 8 | |
| 9 | Understanding dementia | ⑦ | 10 | |
| 10 | Understanding disabilities | ⑧ | 10 | |
| 11 | Medical care | ⑨ | 5 | |
| Part C | 12 | Care processes | ⑩ | 8 |
| 13 | General questions | ⑪ | 12 | |
Passing Criteria and Assessment Method
The Certified Care Worker National Examination has a maximum score of 125 points, with Part A worth 60 points, Part B worth 45 points, and Part C worth 20 points.
Requirements for passing when taking all parts
First, to pass by taking all parts at once, you must meet two conditions:
1) Score at or above the overall passing score
*The passing score is approximately 60% of the total (125 questions) but varies depending on the difficulty of that year’s examination.
2) Score at least 1 point in all subject groups ① through ⑪ in the table above
*Even if your total score is high, you will automatically fail if you score 0 points in even one subject group.
Passing criteria for “Partial Pass (Exemption from Retaking Passed Parts)”
Even if you do not meet the passing requirements when taking all parts, if you meet the passing conditions for individual parts, you will not need to retake those parts in the following year and the year after that.
1.Meet the passing requirement for that specific part
2.Score points in all subject groups within that part
To pass Part A: Score at least 1 point in all subject groups ① through ④ in the table above
To pass Part B: Score at least 1 point in all subject groups ⑤ through ⑨ in the table above
To pass Part C: Score at least 1 point in all subject groups ⑩ through ⑪ in the table above
*Even if your overall score for Part A is high, if you score 0 points in even one subject group among ① through ④, you will fail Part A.
Benefits of "Partial Pass (Exemption from Retaking Passed Parts)"
Even if you fail on your first attempt, if there are parts you passed, you can choose whether to retake those parts in the following year and the year after that. This allows you to concentrate your studies on the parts you did not pass.
Important Note
“Partial Pass (Exemption from Retaking Passed Parts)” is valid for up to two attempts—the year following the year you passed the part and the year after that. If you cannot pass all parts within these two examinations, the parts you previously passed will become invalid. In that case, you will need to retake all parts from the beginning.
Summary
To continue working in care in Japan for a long period of time, you will need the national qualification of certified care worker. With the introduction of “Partial Pass (Exemption from Retaking Passed Parts),” those who want to obtain the certified care worker qualification can now aim for certification at their own pace. To pass the national examination, it is important to create a study plan that suits you. Please proceed with your studies in a planned manner according to your work and life circumstances.
