Overview
The Senior and Junior Professional and Technical Examinations (專門職業及技術人員高等/普通考試) are the general framework Taiwan's Ministry of Examination uses to license a wide range of professional and technical occupations, beyond the separately named exams for accountants, lawyers, and physicians. They cover fields such as engineering, pharmacy, land surveying, actuarial work, patent attorneys, and other licensed technical professions, each with its own subject set under the Senior (高等) or Junior (普通) tier.
Who can apply
Eligibility depends on the specific profession and tier. Under the Examination Act, the Senior tier is open to graduates of a college-level or higher institution (or a recognised foreign equivalent) in a relevant department, while the Junior tier is open to graduates of a vocational school, senior high school or higher institution in a relevant department. A profession's own rules can add conditions. Each profession has its own detailed eligibility rules published by the Ministry of Examination.
Levels or stages
Senior examination (高等考試)
For professions requiring a higher level of technical competency. Open to graduates of a college-level or higher institution in a relevant department.
Junior examination (普通考試)
For professions with a lower entry bar. Open to graduates of a vocational school, senior high school or higher institution in a relevant department.
Exam pattern
Each licensed profession under this framework has its own subject list and exam format, combining written subjects specific to that profession's technical knowledge and regulations.
How to apply
Apply through the Ministry of Examination's official application system, selecting the specific professional category and tier (Senior or Junior) that matches your qualification and target profession.
Preparation tips
Confirm the exact subject list and eligibility rule for your specific profession on the Ministry of Examination's website before applying, since these vary significantly across the many professions covered by this framework.
What is the difference between the Senior and Junior tiers?
The Senior tier is open to graduates of a college-level or higher institution in a relevant department; the Junior tier is open to graduates of a vocational school, senior high school or higher institution.
Does this framework cover accountants, lawyers, and doctors?
Those three professions have their own separately named exams under the same Ministry of Examination system; this entry covers the many other professional and technical occupations licensed under the general Senior/Junior framework.