The Chinese government has implemented a new national professional qualification system for elderly care service practitioners, aimed at strengthening the workforce of skilled professionals in this critical sector. This initiative forms part of the broader strategy to actively address the challenges posed by an aging population.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs and The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security have jointly issued the Provisional Regulations for the Professional Qualification System for Elderly Care Service Practitioners, following approval from the State Council. The regulations establish a framework for assessing and certifying the competency of technical personnel working across various care settings, including in-home, community-based, and institutional care.

Key Provisions of the New Qualification System

The provisional regulations consist of 23 specific provisions across five key areas: general principles, examinations, professional competencies, registration procedures, and supplementary rules. The qualification is classified as a competency evaluation credential, designed for technical professionals directly engaged in care service delivery.

Three-Tiered Qualification Structure

The system establishes three qualification levels: Primary, Intermediate, and Advanced. For the Primary and Intermediate levels, a national unified examination system will be implemented, featuring a standardized syllabus, examination papers, and centralized organization. Specific regulations for the Advanced qualification will be formulated separately at a later date.

The regulations stipulate detailed eligibility criteria for the Primary and Intermediate exams, including minimum educational backgrounds and required years of practical experience in the elderly care field. A passing score for each examination subject is typically set at 60% of the total marks. Successful candidates will receive both physical and electronic qualification certificates.

Defined Professional Competencies

The framework clearly outlines the required professional capabilities for each level. Beyond fundamental requirements such as good political integrity, adherence to professional ethics, and a dedication to the care sector, specific competencies are defined.

A Primary-level practitioner should master basic professional knowledge and techniques, be capable of participating in comprehensive assessments of an elderly person's capabilities, provide services such as care for the disabled and rehabilitation, and conduct basic evaluations of service quality and outcomes. An Intermediate-level practitioner must possess more extensive professional knowledge and practical experience, enabling them to formulate and implement care plans or service solutions, develop and execute training programs for care staff, and provide services like information consultation, resource linkage, and service referrals.

Governance and Implementation

The two ministries will jointly oversee the policy development for this qualification system and will guide, supervise, and inspect its implementation according to their respective responsibilities. A registration service system will manage the qualification certificates, with The Social Welfare Center of the Ministry of Civil Affairs taking charge of the registry and publishing an annual report on registration status. Employers across the country are authorized to hire individuals holding these certificates for corresponding professional technical positions based on their operational needs.