Overview
The Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination, known as FE, is a Japanese national IT exam run by the Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA). It is part of the national information processing engineer exam system, which the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) runs under Japanese law. IPA calls it the gateway exam for IT engineers.
It is aimed at people who have the basic knowledge and skills to help build IT services, products, systems and software, and who can apply them in practice. IPA describes the target role as early-career work done under the guidance of a more senior person: taking part in IT strategy and system planning, designing and developing systems, or supporting stable operation of services.
The exam is taken on a computer at a test centre.
Who can apply
Anyone can sit the exam. There is no stated age, education or experience requirement.
If you cannot take a computer-based exam because of a physical disability, IPA runs a separate paper-based special-arrangement exam. You must send proof that the computer-based format is difficult for you when you apply.
Exam pattern
The exam has two parts, taken one after the other on the same day. You cannot take Subject A and Subject B on different days.
| Part | Format | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject A | Multiple choice, four options | 60 (answer all) | 90 minutes |
| Subject B | Multiple choice | 20 (answer all) | 100 minutes |
You may take a break of up to 10 minutes between the two parts. The test centre collects your scratch paper before the break and gives you fresh paper for Subject B. When the 10 minutes run out, Subject B starts automatically.
If you hold a Subject A exemption (see below), you sit only Subject B, which lasts 100 minutes.
Syllabus
IPA publishes a detailed syllabus for the FE and a separate exam outline. IPA's description of the skill level expected covers:
General IT fundamentals that you can use in your own work.
Taking part, under guidance, in IT strategy, proposals, system planning and requirements definition.
Designing, developing and operating systems with information security in mind.
Designing software and writing programs yourself, once you understand the approach set by a senior engineer.
IPA also publishes a list of terms and programming-language material used in the exam. Check the syllabus on the IPA site for the exact topic list before you start studying.
Marking and results
Each part is scored separately. You pass only if both Subject A and Subject B reach the pass mark of 600 points. After the exam, your score for each part appears on screen.
Pass lists are published on the IPA website, normally in the middle to late part of the month after your exam. IPA states the announcement time as around noon, and you can also check your result in your candidate account. The pass numbers are later printed in the government's Official Gazette.
Important dates
Since FY2023 the exam has run all year round at computer test centres. You pick your own date and centre when you book, and each centre sets its own schedule. Sessions run between 09:00 and 21:00 on days when a centre is open.
Booking window: You can book at any time except during system maintenance. A seat can be booked from the third day after you apply.
Changes: You can change your booking up to three days before the exam date.
Retakes: You can book a new attempt for a date more than 30 days after your previous exam date. If you sat on 1 May, the earliest new date is 1 June. You pay the fee again.
Planned pause: IPA plans to pause the computer-based exams from 28 December 2026 for a system replacement. Some centres may stop before 27 December 2026. If you booked on or after 27 December 2025, you must sit on or before 27 December 2026. IPA says it will announce plans for 2027 around autumn 2026.
Paper-based special-arrangement exam: For FY2026, the first session is on 14 November 2026 (applications are closed), and the second is on 20 March 2027. Application dates for the second session have not been announced.
Pass announcements: For the August 2026 sitting, results were announced on 28 September 2026. For September 2026, the date is planned as 21 October, and for October 2026 as 20 November.
Fees
The exam fee is 7,500 yen including 10% consumption tax. Some payment methods carry an extra payment charge. The same fee applies if you take the exam with a Subject A exemption.
You can also buy prepaid vouchers for the exam fee. IPA's operator paused new voucher sales on 31 July 2026. Vouchers you already hold are still valid, but they expire on a fixed date, and fees are not refunded if you cannot get a seat before the cut-off.
How to apply
Applications are online only. IPA's operator, CBT Solutions, handles bookings.
Create a user ID on the CBT Solutions site. The same ID works for other IPA exams and for certificate requests.
Choose the FE exam and answer the short questionnaire.
Select your date, centre and the address where your pass certificate should be sent, then pick a payment method.
Check the confirmation email, which has your booking, payment details and the venue map.
On exam day, doors open 30 minutes before the start and you should arrive 15 minutes before. You can enter up to 80 minutes after the start time, but your finish time is not extended. Arriving later than that means you cannot sit the exam and the fee is not returned. You must bring a valid photo-identity document. Phones and bags go in a locker, and only the permitted items stay on your desk.
The last date you can choose depends on how you pay. With a card or convenience-store payment, it is one year after your first booking date, but not later than 27 December 2026 for bookings made since 27 December 2025. For vouchers bought on or after 14 April 2026, it is six months after the voucher is issued, subject to the same December 2026 limit.
After the exam
Successful candidates receive a certificate of passing from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. It is printed with the name and birth date registered at least three days before your exam, and it is sent by registered mail to your registered address. If your address changes, update it before that deadline, because it cannot be changed after it.
If a certificate is returned to IPA, it is kept for a limited time and then destroyed, so ask for it to be re-sent promptly. The holder pays the cost of re-sending.
Subject A exemption
IPA runs a system where you can skip Subject A. You take a course that IPA has accredited and pass its completion test. For one year afterwards, you can apply for the FE with Subject A exempt, so you sit only Subject B. You must choose the exemption version of the exam when booking, and you cannot switch between the exempt and standard versions after booking. Contact the course provider directly to enrol. IPA does not handle course enquiries.
FAQs
Is there a minimum age or qualification to take the FE?
No. The CBT Solutions exam guide says anyone can take it.
Do I need to pass both parts?
Both parts are taken in one sitting, and you need at least 600 points in each of Subject A and Subject B to pass.
Can I retake the exam straight away?
No. You can book a new attempt only for a date more than 30 days after your last exam date, and you pay the fee again.
Is the exam held on fixed dates?
No. It is held year-round on computer, and you choose the date and centre. A planned system replacement pauses it from 28 December 2026.