Overview
In Chile, the mid-level technician title (titulo de tecnico de nivel medio) is earned in technical-professional secondary education, called Educacion Media Tecnico Profesional (EMTP). It is not a single national exam. A student completes the technical-professional programme at a school recognised by the Ministry of Education (Mineduc), then completes a supervised professional practice before titulacion, the title process.
The national curriculum fixes graduate profiles for every specialty, grouped by productive sector. The technical-professional stream is a differentiated track within upper secondary education, taught in the third and fourth years (3 and 4 medio).
This page was built from Mineduc pages and a report by the Library of the National Congress, which summarises the title decree. Check the current decree text and your school's rules before relying on the details.
Who can apply
Students enrolled in a technical-professional specialty at a recognised school. The practice and title stage follows graduation (egreso) from the programme. A Mineduc decree of 2018 (decreto exento 1.237) changed the title rules so that previous work experience of students who have already graduated can be recognised, and so that employment contracts and apprenticeship contracts can count as part of the practice.
Exam pattern
There is no written national exam for the title. The assessment is the supervised professional practice:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Place | A practice centre: a company, public body, association or foundation whose activities match the learning objectives of the specialty |
| Plan | A practice plan based on the technician graduate profile for the specialty and adapted to the activities at the centre |
| Duration, general rule | Minimum 360 hours and maximum 540 hours |
| Duration, dual training | Minimum 180 hours and maximum 360 hours |
These hours are the rule described in the Library of the National Congress report of August 2025 for Decree 2.516 (dated 2008 in the report and 2007 on the Mineduc page). For 2020 and 2021, Mineduc temporarily reduced practice hours from 360 to 180 in all specialties and allowed online and remote supervised practice. A later decree (decreto exento 1.500) modifying the title rules has been in force since 8 November 2021. Confirm which hour range applies to you with your school.
Marking and results
The sources read do not give a grading scale for the practice. The practice is the final step of the title process.
Fees
The sources read do not list a fee for the title itself.
How to apply
Finish the technical-professional programme at your school.
Agree a practice plan with the school and find a practice centre, or ask whether your work experience or contract can be recognised.
Complete the practice, then follow your school's title process.
Request your title certificate. If your title was awarded in 2013 or later, the certificate is available online for immediate download. Earlier titles must be requested in advance at an Ayuda Mineduc office or by phone, with a reply time of 10 working days.
After the exam
The Certificado de Titulo de Educacion Media Tecnico Profesional is an official Mineduc document confirming technical-professional secondary studies. The online version is valid for 90 days from issue and has a QR code and link so others can verify it.
Preparation tips
Ask your school early about the practice plan and how many hours your specialty needs.
Keep your employer or centre documentation if you plan to ask for work to be recognised.
Check the Ayuda Mineduc page for new rules, since the title decree has been changed several times (2018, 2020, 2021).
Is there an exam to get the mid-level technician title?
No national exam is described in the sources. The title depends on finishing the technical-professional programme and a supervised professional practice.
How long is the professional practice?
The general rule is 360 to 540 hours, and 180 to 360 hours for dual training. Temporary reductions applied in 2020 and 2021.