- what is it?
Professional qualification examination for journalistsAccording to the circular of the ministry of human resources and social security of the national press and publications agency on the publication of the method of professional qualifications for journalists and the rules for the implementation of professional qualifications for journalists (new beginning of the nation (2022) (a) the national examination for vocational qualifications, which has been held throughout the country since 2023。
The examination is an important part of the state's access management for journalists. Qualifications for the professional qualification of journalists can be obtained by qualified candidates for the examination, who are required to be certified as journalists by their respective press offices and issued by the national press and publications agency. In short, this is the road to becoming a licensed journalist。
Implementation
The national press and publications agency and the ministry of human resources and social security are jointly responsible。
Iii. 2026Examination time
According to the work plan for the 2026 professional qualification examination for professional technicians, the professional qualification examination for journalists is scheduled for 24 october 2026。
The examination takes the form of a written examination, which takes 180 minutes。
IvExamination subjectsAnd content
The professional qualification examination for journalists has two subjects, each of which is the main combination of objective subjects。
(i) basic information
The objective and subjective issues are divided, and the regular examination focuses on the following:
Political theory: the hot spots examined in recent years, especially major conferences, guidelines, speeches and ideas, are often combined with a comprehensive examination of practical cases. The day-to-day preparation of the examination is expected to focus more attention on authoritative media such as news, semi-monthly newspapers and daily newspapers of the people。
Journalism: a review of marxist journalism, a brief history of news opinion, etc., takes place in the context of historical events。
:: laws and regulations: these include the civil code, the cybersecurity act, etc。
Information ethics and journalistic professional requirements。
(ii) public information substantive
The objective and subjective issues are divided, with a greater focus on the operational capability of interviews, writing, editing, etc. On news stories。
Main mission:
Characteristics and principles of journalism
News discovery, news selection and interview planning
Type, preparation and implementation of press interviews
Newswriting and news editors
Radio (audio), television (video), web news production
Media-wide coverage and integration
Those who meet the conditions set out in the circular of the national press and publications agency's department of human resources and social security on the procedure for the publication of professional qualification examinations for journalists and the rules for the application of professional qualification examinations for journalists may apply for the examination。
Specific conditions for the examination can be found in the china personnel examination network (www. Cpta. Com. Cn) under “conditions for the examination”。
According to the relevant regulations, applicants are required to work in the public information service or to sign a contract of employment with the public information service, to work in the press and to have a certain number of years of experience in the production of information. Examinations are required for academic qualifications, but there are no restrictions on professional qualifications, and non-public information graduates may apply, subject to other conditions。
Important tips: the professional qualification examination for journalists is an in-service qualification examination for the press, which is not directly accessible to individuals and is generally organized by the information unit。
Vi. Methodology
The certificate of entry for the professional qualification examination for journalists is subject to a system of notification of commitment, which is open to applicants who choose whether or not to use it。
Examinations are registered online and paid online. The application is usually made from late july to august。
Before registration, registration, uploading of photographs, etc. Must be completed. In order to register, it is necessary to carefully read and understand the relevant information, such as the information on the examination, submit the registration information within the prescribed time frame and complete the payment of fees. Details on the arrangements for registration are given in the relevant circulars in the provinces (districts, municipalities)。
Vii. Query for certification and results
The examination is generally open for printing about a week before the examination. Candidates may register for the chinese personnel examination network to print the examination。
Examination results are generally issued about two months after the examination. Testees are required to pass all testable subjects within two consecutive examination years。
Viii. Qualifications and press accreditation
Qualifications for the professional qualification of journalists are obtained from the professional qualification of journalists. Qualifications are prepared and issued by the personnel examination centre of the ministry of human resources and social security of the state press and publications agency and the ministry of human resources and social security。
Qualified candidates for the examination are required to obtain press accreditation from their respective news offices. The state regulates the access of journalists to practice their profession in accordance with the law, and the state press and publications agency centrally issues press accreditations。
IxRecommendations for preparation
(i) selection of appropriate learning materials
The use of officially designated educational materials and the outline for professional qualifications of journalists is recommended. Reference can be made to china's international broadcasting press, “a booklet on the national examination for professional qualifications of journalists, 2025-2026”, which is divided into the above-edited “information basics” and the next, “information production practice”, accompanied by a simulation test。
(ii) development of scientific refresher programmes
It is recommended that the “quantitative daily learning” method be used to break the refresher content into small blocks and to concentrate on some parts of the attack on a daily basis. It is recommended to enter the situation at least one month in advance, to attend classes every day plus brushing, and to form a learning rhythm。
(iii) basic knowledge based on understanding + recitation
The basic knowledge component focuses on high-frequency test points and does not need to eat heavy teaching materials. Through a high frequency test with teachers, concepts such as the definition of professional terminology are distinguished from those that are prone to error. The current policy section needs to focus on major conferences and industry events in the last year。
(iv) practice-based production
The substantive segment focused on the response framework and writing thinking, with teachers speaking on a subject, imitating themselves and keeping the core logic in mind. On a daily basis, hard-copy articles from authoritative media, such as the people's daily, can be replicated and text-sensitive。
(v) conduct simulation tests
Pre-module specialized training, problem-by-problem, to complete the missing points against resolution. A complete set of questions is drawn once a week at the end of the period, familiar with the problem set and standardized the response format。
(vi) development of a good attitude towards testing
Maintain a positive optimism and avoid anxiety in the preparatory process. Pressure can be mitigated by sport, meditation, etc., to ensure the optimal level of examination。
X. Relevant questions
Q1: can non-public information graduate apply?
A: yes. Examinations are required for academic qualifications, but there are no professional restrictions. Non-public information graduates may also apply, subject to other conditions。
Q2: can individuals sign up directly?
A: no. The professional qualification examination for journalists is an in-service qualification examination for the press, which is generally organized by the press unit。
Q3: can you get a press pass through the exam?
A: certificate of achievement obtained after successful examination. The accreditation of journalists is also required to be processed by the press unit in which it is located and issued by the national press and publications agency。
Q4: how long does the test pass take?
A: testees are required to pass all examinationable subjects within two consecutive examination years。
