People who graduate from a certified care worker training school (介護福祉士養成施設) in fiscal year 2027 or later must pass the national examination within five years of graduation, or they can no longer keep the Certified Care Worker (介護福祉士) qualification. This directly affects international students at these schools and the care facilities that employ (or plan to employ) graduates under the "Nursing Care" (介護) status of residence. If this applies to you, start preparing for the exam while still in school; facilities should plan exam support and residence status now, assuming a pass within five years.
What changed
On June 25, 2026, the Act Partially Amending the Social Welfare Act, etc. (社会福祉法等の一部を改正する法律, Act No. 51 of 2026) was promulgated. According to a notice from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW, 厚生労働省), most of the Act takes effect on April 1, 2027, but the part on certified care workers took effect on the day of promulgation.
Until now, graduates of training schools had a transitional measure (経過措置): even without passing the national exam, they held the qualification for five years after graduation. If they kept working in care during those five years, they could keep the qualification from the sixth year on.
The amendment splits this measure as follows.
| Graduation year (fiscal year) | First 5 years after graduation | From year 6 |
|---|---|---|
| FY2017–FY2026 | Qualified | Still qualified if they worked in care continuously for 5 years |
| FY2027–FY2031 | Qualified | Must pass the national exam |
| FY2032 and later | Not covered by the measure | Must pass the national exam |
In short, the "qualified for five years" part was extended to graduates up to FY2031, but the "keep it by continuing to work" part ends with FY2026 graduates.
When is the deadline? (example)
The five years are counted from April 1 of the fiscal year after graduation.
For example, a person who entered a two-year school in April 2026 and graduates in March 2028 is an "FY2027 graduate." That person must pass by March 31, 2033. News reports say some people could lose the qualification as early as FY2033, which matches this calculation.
The national exam is held once a year, so five years means only a few chances. Starting preparation after graduation is often too late.
Impact on the "Nursing Care" (介護) status of residence
According to the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁), the "Nursing Care" status is for people who hold the Certified Care Worker qualification and work in care under a contract with an organization in Japan. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months, and it can be renewed as long as the requirements are met.
This status requires being a certified care worker. If an FY2027-or-later graduate does not pass within five years and loses the qualification, they cannot continue under "Nursing Care."
This does not mean they must leave Japan immediately. As reported, one option is to change to another status such as Specified Skilled Worker (i) (特定技能1号) in the care field. However, Specified Skilled Worker (i) has a cap on the total period of stay, and each status has its own requirements. Which status is possible depends on each person, so check early, not just before the deadline.
At this time, we have not been able to confirm detailed guidance from MHLW or the Immigration Services Agency on the procedure when the five-year period ends. Please watch for future announcements.
What news reports say
According to Nikkei (日本経済新聞, October 26, 2026), more than half of new students at training schools are foreign nationals, while the pass rate of international students is far below that of Japanese students. MHLW is also reported to have requested a budget to develop an exam-study app for foreign nationals.
What care facilities can do now
- List each training-school graduate you employ or plan to hire, with graduation year and pass deadline
- Make time for Japanese and exam study during work, assuming they take the exam every year
- Track the residence card expiry and the qualification deadline together (the qualification may expire before the period of stay)
- Check possible alternative statuses one to two years before the deadline
For foreign nationals
- First check your graduation year. If you graduated by FY2026, the previous rule applies: you keep the qualification if you work in care for five years
- If you graduate in FY2027 or later, you must pass within five years. Plan to take the exam every year from graduation
- If you are worried about your status of residence, consult a specialist or a regional immigration services bureau before the deadline approaches
For renewals or changes of the "Nursing Care" status, or a change to Specified Skilled Worker, contact ANDCEED Gyoseishoshi Office (Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist, 行政書士) at contact@andceed.com or +81-52-990-3442. Please note that consultations are held in Japanese.
Sources: MHLW "Kaigo Hoken Saishin Joho Vol.1518" (介護保険最新情報 Vol.1518); MHLW outline of the amendment bill; Immigration Services Agency "Nursing Care" status page; Nikkei (October 26, 2026)
Do people who graduated by FY2026 also have to pass within five years?
No, the previous rule still applies to them. If they work in care continuously for five years after graduation, they keep the qualification without passing the exam.
If I do not pass within five years, do I have to leave Japan right away?
No, not automatically. You may be able to change to another status such as Specified Skilled Worker (i) (特定技能1号), but there are requirements and a cap on the total period of stay, so check early.
What about people who graduate in FY2032 or later?
They are not covered by the transitional measure and must pass the national exam to become certified care workers.
Can I work under the "Nursing Care" (介護) status during the five-year period?
Yes, because you hold the qualification for five years after graduation, you can apply for "Nursing Care" once registered. However, the Immigration Services Agency's current guidance is written for graduates up to FY2026, so FY2027-and-later graduates should check for updated guidance.
When should care facilities start preparing?
Now. FY2027 graduates are already in school, so exam preparation during school and a plan for exams and residence status after graduation should start early.