Hazardous Materials Engineer Licence (Japan)危険物取扱者

Overview

Kikenbutsu Toriatsukaisha (危険物取扱者, hazardous materials handler) is the national licence for people who handle or supervise hazardous materials such as petrol, kerosene and industrial chemicals. Facilities that store or handle more than a set quantity of such materials, including chemical plants and petrol stations, must have a licence holder. The exam is run by the Fire and Disaster Management Examination Center at its central test centre in Tokyo and at prefectural branches. You can sit it in any prefecture, regardless of where you live or work.

Levels or stages

• Kou (甲種): covers all classes of hazardous materials, including handling, periodic inspection and safety supervision.

• Otsu (乙種): six classes. Each licence covers only the class passed: Class 1 oxidising solids, Class 2 flammable solids, Class 3 substances that ignite spontaneously or react with water, Class 4 flammable liquids (petrol, kerosene, light oil and similar), Class 5 self-reactive substances, Class 6 oxidising liquids.

• Hei (丙種): limited to specific flammable liquids such as petrol, kerosene, light oil and heavy oil.

Holders of Kou or Otsu licences can supervise handling and inspection; people without a licence may handle materials if a Kou or Otsu holder is present.

Who can apply

Anyone can sit the Otsu and Hei exams. The Kou exam needs one of the following:

• graduation from a university or similar institution in a chemistry-related course;

• at least 15 credits in chemistry subjects at a university or similar institution;

• an Otsu licence plus at least 2 years of practical hazardous materials handling experience;

• Otsu licences covering four groups: Class 1 or 6, Class 2 or 4, Class 3, and Class 5;

• a master's or doctoral degree in a chemistry-related field.

The Center lists the certificates to attach for each route on the eligibility page.

Exam pattern

The test is written, on a mark sheet, with no practical test. Kou and Otsu use five-choice questions; Hei uses four-choice.

Time allowed: Kou 2 hours 30 minutes, Otsu 2 hours, Hei 1 hour 15 minutes. People with certain other licences, or Hei candidates with long fire-brigade service, can be exempted from some subjects, and the time is shortened to match.

Marking and results

You pass by scoring at least 60% in each subject, not just overall (exempted subjects are left out). Every candidate receives a result notice with the percentage correct for each subject. Passers are posted on the Center's site.

Fees

As listed on the official site in 2026: Kou 7,200 yen, Otsu 5,300 yen, Hei 4,200 yen. The fee is not refunded once paid.

How to apply

All exams can be applied for online through the Center's electronic application system, and branch pages give paper options and local exam dates. Check the national schedule on the Center's site. A face photo must be attached to the admit card, or you cannot sit the exam.

After the exam

Passers apply for the licence through the Center's licence procedures. Licence holders working with hazardous materials in places such as chemical plants and petrol stations must attend periodic training given by the prefectural governor.

FAQs