Domestic
The FY2026 Forestry Skills Test is scheduled for June 13 in Oita, July 30 in Nara, August 4 in Fukushima, September 5 in Hokkaido, September 9 in Ishikawa, December 20 in Oita, and February 26, 2027 in Ehime.
The test date, venue, and application period differ by month and area. Check the official page of the Forestry Skill Improvement Center for the latest information before taking the test.
For test venues and schedules, click here.
Overseas
For the FY2026 Forestry Skills Proficiency Test, overseas tests are currently not planned.
Exam fee: ￥20,000 including tax. This covers the written test and practical test. After the application is accepted, pay by bank transfer to the specified account by the deadline.
Within one month after the test, the successful applicant numbers are posted on the official site. Successful applicants also receive a pass notice by email within one month after the test.
Check test results and the latest notices on the Forestry Skill Improvement Center official page.
Eligibility
| Age | You must be at least 18 years old on the test day. |
| Residence Status | If you take the test in Japan, you need some type of residence status. A short-term stay status is also allowed. |
| Safety Training | You must have completed special education for felling trees and similar work with a chainsaw. Check the official exam guide for details. |
| Note | Even if you pass the test, it does not always mean you will be approved for Specified Skilled Worker residence status. |
Written Exam
| Test Language | Japanese, with hiragana ruby for kanji |
| Number of Questions | 30 Questions |
| Test Time | 30 Minutes |
| Format | True/False (○× Questions) |
| Test Content | General forestry, safety and health, and Japanese ability needed for work. The scope is equivalent to Grade 3 of the forestry skills test. |
| Passing Criteria | 65% or more correct answers |
Practical Exam
| Content | A practical test using a chainsaw is given. The task is equivalent to Grade 3 of the forestry skills test. |
| Passing Criteria | You must meet both standards: 40% or higher for each task evaluation item and 60% or higher overall. |
| Main Items to Bring | Examination ticket, residence card or passport, writing tools, watch, helmet, protective net or safety glasses, earmuffs or earplugs, jacket, gloves, protective clothing, footwear, chainsaw, etc. Check the official test guide for detailed specifications. |
For details, check the Forestry Skill Improvement Center official page.
The Forestry Skills Improvement Center official page provides practical test questions, procedures for the practical test, and written test sample questions. It states that it does not provide dedicated test-preparation materials and recommends using existing materials such as the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare guidelines on safe tree-felling work using chain saws.
Check Official Test Questions and Sample Questions
Guidelines for Ensuring Safety in Tree-Felling Work Using Chain Saws (Japanese) — Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare