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ENFORCEMENT DECREE OF THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS ACT

Wholly Amended by Presidential Decree No. 18608, Dec. 28, 2004

Amended by Presidential Decree No. 19544, jun. 22, 2006

Presidential Decree No. 20003, Apr. 12, 2007

Presidential Decree No. 20140, jun. 29, 2007

Presidential Decree No. 20681, Feb. 29, 2008

Presidential Decree No. 21170, Dec. 17, 2008

Presidential Decree No. 22269, Jul. 12, 2010

Presidential Decree No. 22356, Aug. 25, 2010

Presidential Decree No. 22507, Nov. 26, 2010

Presidential Decree No. 23216, Oct. 12, 2011

Presidential Decree No. 23488, Jan. 6, 2012

Presidential Decree No. 23527, Jan. 25, 2012

Presidential Decree No. 23759, May 1, 2012

Presidential Decree No. 24478, Mar. 23, 2013

Presidential Decree No. 25050, Dec. 30, 2013

Presidential Decree No. 25751, Nov. 19, 2014

Presidential Decree No. 25741, Nov. 19, 2014

Presidential Decree No. 25840, Dec. 9, 2014

Presidential Decree No. 25985, Jan. 6, 2015

Presidential Decree No. 27751, Dec. 30, 2016

Presidential Decree No. 27967, Mar. 27, 2017

Presidential Decree No. 28211, Jul. 26, 2017

Presidential Decree No. 28485, Dec. 19, 2017

Presidential Decree No. 29844, jun. 11, 2019

Presidential Decree No. 29950, Jul. 2, 2019

Presidential Decree No. 30509, Mar. 3, 2020

Presidential Decree No. 31003, Sep. 8, 2020

Presidential Decree No. 31349, Dec. 31, 2020

Presidential Decree No. 32274, Dec. 28, 2021

Presidential Decree No. 32447, Feb. 17, 2022

Presidential Decree No. 32951, Oct. 11, 2022

 Article 1 (Purpose)
The purpose of this Decree is to provide for the matters mandated by the National Technical Qualifications Act and for the matters necessary for enforcing said Act.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 1-2 (Formulation of Basic Plans for Development of National Technical Qualification System)
In formulating a basic plan for developing the national technical qualification system through consultations with the head of the relevant central administrative agency in accordance with Article 5 (3) of the National Technical Qualifications Act (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”), the Minister of Employment and Labor shall reflect the opinions of the Minister of Science and ICT if it involves matters related to professional engineers. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 2 (National Technical Qualification Policy Council)
(1) The National Technical Qualification Policy Council (hereinafter referred to as the “Policy Council”) under Article 6 of the Act shall consist of not more than 30 members, including one chairperson and one vice chairperson.
(2) “Vice Minister-level public officials of the relevant central administrative agency determined by Presidential Decree” in Article 6 (3) 1 of the Act means the vice minister-level public officials of central administrative agencies designated by the Vice Minister of Education; the Vice Minister of Science and ICT; the Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; the Vice Minister of Employment and Labor; the Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; the Vice Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination; and the chairperson of the Policy Council (hereinafter referred to as the “chairperson”), who are recognized as relevant to the agenda of the Policy Council. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017>
(3) The chairperson shall appoint the vice chairperson from among Vice Minister-level public officials falling under paragraph (2).
(4) The term of office of a member commissioned under Article 6 (3) 2 and 3 of the Act shall be three years: Provided, That the term of office of a member filling a vacancy shall be the remainder of his or her predecessor’s term of office.
(5) A member commissioned under paragraph (4) may be recommissioned.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 3 (Chairperson’s Duties)
(1) The chairperson shall represent the Policy Council and exercise overall control over the affairs of the Policy Council.
(2) The vice chairperson shall assist the chairperson and act on behalf of the chairperson where the chairperson is unable to perform his or her duties due to extenuating circumstances.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 4 (Policy Council’s Meetings)
(1) The chairperson shall call and preside over meetings of the Policy Council.
(2) A majority of the total members of the Policy Council shall constitute a quorum at all its meetings; and resolutions shall be passed with the concurrent votes of a majority of the members present.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 5 (Specialized Committees)
(1) Pursuant to Article 6 (4) of the Act, a specialized committee for system development, a specialized committee for developing the professional engineer licensing system, and a specialized committee for detailed occupational fields, shall be established in the Policy Council.
(2) The specialized committee for system development under paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as the “specialized committee for system development”) shall investigate and research technical matters necessary to develop the national technical qualification system under the orders of the chairperson; the specialized committee for developing the professional engineer licensing system under paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as the “specialized committee for developing the professional engineer licensing system”) shall investigate and research technical matters necessary to develop the professional engineer licensing system under the orders of the chairperson; and the specialized committee for detailed occupational fields under paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as the “specialized committee for detailed occupational fields”) shall investigate, research, and deliberate on technical matters concerning the national technical qualification by detailed occupational field as directed by the chairperson.
(3) Members of the specialized committee for system development shall consist of not more than 20 persons commissioned by the chairperson among those who have abundant academic knowledge and experience about vocational education, vocational training, and qualification systems.
(4) Members of the specialized committee for development of the professional engineer licensing system shall consist of not more than 20 persons commissioned by the chairperson upon recommendation by the Minister of Science and ICT among those who have abundant academic knowledge and experience about science, technology, and qualification systems. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(5) Members of the specialized committee for detailed occupational fields shall consist of not more than 15 persons commissioned by the chairperson from among those who have abundant academic knowledge and field experience by relevant field, the majority of the members being field experts who belong to enterprises, business owners’ organizations, or workers’ organizations in the relevant field.
(6) Deleted. <Mar. 27, 2017>
(7) The terms of office of the members of each specialized committee shall be three years and may be renewable. Membership of the specialized committee for system development, the specialized committee for development of the professional engineer licensing system, and the specialized committee for detailed occupational fields may be held concurrently.
(8) A member of each specialized committee may attend and speak at meetings of the Policy Council.
(9) Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Decree, matters necessary for organizing and operating the specialized committees shall be determined by the chairperson, subject to resolution by the Policy Council.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 6 (Executive Secretary)
(1) The Policy Council shall have one executive secretary, who shall be appointed by the chairperson from among the public officials belonging to the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
(2) The executive secretary shall take charge of the clerical work of the Policy Council as directed by the chairperson and may attend and speak at meetings of the Policy Council.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 7 (Allowances and Travel Expenses)
Allowances and travel expenses may be paid within budgetary limits to members of the Policy Council and each specialized committee: Provided, That this shall not apply to any public official member attending a meeting of the Policy Council in direct connection with his or her duties.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 8 (Establishment and Operation of National Technical Qualification Information System)
(1) When requesting materials to be submitted in accordance with Article 7 (2) of the Act, the Minister of Employment and Labor shall do so in writing specifying the purpose and method of using the relevant information.
(2) “Persons prescribed by Presidential Decree” in Article 7 (3) of the Act means the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (hereinafter referred to as the “Service”) established pursuant to the Human Resources Development Service of Korea Act.
(3) Upon receipt of a request from the Service to submit materials under Article 7 (2) of the Act, the following institutions or organizations shall comply therewith unless any extenuating circumstance exists: <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Sep. 8, 2020>
1. An institution that operates the educational and training courses designated by the competent Minister (hereinafter referred to as “designated educational and training institution”) pursuant to Article 10 (1) of the Act;
2. A specialized institution or organization entrusted with some of the national technical qualification examination affairs pursuant to Article 23 (2) of the Act;
3. A specialized institution or organization re-entrusted with affairs concerning national technical qualification examinations pursuant to Article 29 (6) of the Act.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 9 (Vicarious Investigation and Research of National Technical Qualification)
“Persons determined by Presidential Decree” in Article 8 (3) of the Act means the following: <Amended on Oct. 11, 2022>
1. The Service;
2. The Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training established pursuant to the Act on the Establishment, Operation and Fostering of Government-Funded Research Institutes;
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 10
[Moved to Article 12-2 <Nov. 26, 2010>]
 Article 11 (Standards for Establishing Categories of National Technical Qualification)
Where the head of each central administrative agency that takes charge of affairs relating to national technical qualification (hereinafter referred to as the "competent Minister") intends to establish, change, or repeal a category of national technical qualification pursuant to Article 8-2 (3) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as “establishment, etc. of a category”), he or she shall examine all of the following matters: Provided, That a category of national technical qualification may be repealed without the examination of the matters described in subparagraphs 2, 5, 9, and 10: <Amended on Sep. 8, 2020>
1. Necessity to establish, etc. the category;
2. The details, scope, and difficulty of duties in the relevant category of qualification that is linked to the National Skill Standards defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Framework Act on Qualifications;
3. Demand for the qualification holders, and the outlook of such demand;
4. The status of the workforce and manpower training in the relevant field;
5. Appropriateness of the number of examinees and the possibility of administering the examination;
6. The suitability of the category of qualification for the industrial field;
7. Existence and operational status of similar qualifications;
8. Whether it falls within the field of operation of national technical qualification under Article 8-2 of the Act;
9. Whether it falls within the field subject to the prohibition of examination by a person other than the State under Article 19 of the Act;
10. Specialized institutions or organizations which may be entrusted with affairs related to examinations of the relevant category of qualification under Article 23 (2) of the Act;
11. Other matters the Minister of Employment and Labor deems necessary following consultation with the competent Minister.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 12 (Procedures for Establishment of a Category)
(1) Any organization associated with the establishment, etc. of a category of national technical qualification may file a written request for the establishment, etc. of such category with the competent Minister or the Minister of Employment and Labor (in the case of a professional engineer grade, referring to the Minister of Science and ICT; hereafter in this Article (excluding paragraph (8)) and Article 33-2, the same shall apply), specifying an opinion of examination on the matters provided for in subparagraphs 1 through 6 of Article 11. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017; Sep. 8, 2020>
(2) Upon receipt of a request pursuant to paragraph (1), the competent Minister shall submit to the Minister of Employment and Labor a written request to establish, etc. a category stating an opinion of examination on the matters provided for in each subparagraph of Article 11, if it is deemed necessary to establish the category. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(3) Upon receipt of a request for the establishment, etc. of a category pursuant to paragraph (1), the Minister of Employment and Labor shall request the head of the relevant central administrative agency to examine the matters provided for in each subparagraph of Article 11.
(4) Upon receipt of a request for the establishment, etc. of a category pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), the Minister of Employment and Labor shall ask an entity vicariously investigating and researching national technical qualification (hereinafter referred to as “agency”) pursuant to Article 8 (3) of the Act and Article 9 of this Decree to examine the appropriateness of establishing, etc. the category. <Amended on Sep. 8, 2020>
(5) Where the agency that has been asked to examine the appropriateness pursuant to paragraph (4), if necessary, may require the request to be supplemented to establish, etc. a category, setting a period of time.
(6) The agency that has been asked to examine the appropriateness pursuant to paragraph (4) shall examine the appropriateness by collecting opinions from the relevant central administrative agency, interested parties and related experts; and shall notify the Minister of Employment and Labor of the result.
(7) The agency that has examined the appropriateness of the establishment, etc. of a category pursuant to paragraph (6), if establishing, etc. the category is found appropriate, shall collect opinions from the industrial circles, survey the demand, and develop the details of duties in the category of qualification, the methods of examination, and the standards for preparing questions for examination based upon the National Skill Standards pursuant to subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Framework Act on Qualifications, and submit the results to the Minister of Employment and Labor, within six months from the date of notification of the results of the appropriateness examination to the Minister of Employment and Labor: Provided, That the Minister of Employment and Labor may extend the deadline if deemed necessary.
(8) The Minister of Employment and Labor shall determine the establishment, etc. of a category through deliberation by the Policy Council or a specialized committee referred to in Article 5 after consulting with the competent Minister based upon the results obtained in accordance with paragraph (7): Provided, That in cases of establishing, etc. a professional engineer-grade category, the Minister of Science and ICT shall consult with the competent Minister based upon the results obtained in accordance with paragraph (7) and submit the result to the Minister of Employment and Labor, who shall, then, determine the establishment, etc. of the category through deliberation by the Policy Council or a specialized committee referred to in Article 5 concerning the result obtained from the Minister of Science and ICT. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(9) If, as a result of examination by an agency referred to in paragraph (6), the establishment, etc. of a category is deemed inappropriate, the Minister of Employment and Labor may refuse the establishment, etc. of the category after consulting with the head of the relevant central administrative agency.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 12-2 (Grades of National Technical Qualification)
(1) Grades of national technical qualification in service areas pursuant to subparagraph 2 of Article 9 of the Act are as specified in attached Table 1. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>
(2) Deleted. <Nov. 19, 2014>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
[Title Amended on Nov. 19, 2014]
[Moved from Article 10 <Nov. 26, 2010>]
 Article 12-3 (Criteria for Designation of Educational and Training Courses)
(1) Teaching staff prescribed in Article 10 (2) 1 of the Act means any of the following persons: <Amended on Feb. 17, 2022>
2. Industrial-educational teachers, honorary teachers, or instructors referred to in Article 22 (1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act;
3. Teachers referred to in Article 14 (2) of the Higher Education Act;
5. Instructors of a private teaching institute for lifelong education or vocational training referred to in Article 2-2 (1) 2 of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Private Teaching Institutes and Extracurricular Lessons;
6. Certified lifelong education teachers referred to in Article 24 of the Lifelong Education Act;
7. Other persons recognized by the competent Minister as having the expertise and ability to teach those who intend to complete the educational and training courses for the categories of national technical qualification under Article 10-2 of the Act.
(2) Pursuant to Article 10 (2) 2 through 4 of the Act, the competent Minister shall determine and publicly announce the criteria for organizing and operating educational and training courses (hereinafter referred to as “criteria for organization”) as regards the facilities and equipment for experiments and practical training, the curricula and the contents thereof, and the system to appraise trainees’ performance by category of national technical qualification that can be acquired by completing educational and training courses and meeting the passing standards pursuant to the main sentence of Article 10 (1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as “course-based qualification”), based upon the requirements described in the following subparagraphs. In such cases, the criteria for organization related to schools under Article 10 (1) 1 and 2 of the Act shall be subject to prior consultation with the Minister of Education: <Amended on Sep. 8, 2020>
1. The facilities and equipment for experiments and practical training and the curricula and contents thereof shall be equipped to cultivate the job performance abilities that meet the National Skill Standards prescribed in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Framework Act on Qualifications;
2. The system to appraise trainees’ performance shall be organized based on the self-evaluation conducted by a designated educational and training institution (hereinafter referred to as “internal evaluation”) as part of the education and training process and the evaluation conducted by the competent Minister (hereinafter referred to as “external evaluation”) to evaluate the level of the job aptitude, knowledge and technology that meet the National Skill Standards prescribed in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Framework Act on Qualifications.
[This Article Newly Inserted on Nov. 19, 2014]
 Article 13 (Competent Minister Taking Charge of Each Examination)
The competent Minister taking charge of each national technical qualification examination pursuant to Article 10 (3) of the Act is as shown in attached Table 2, while the competent Minister taking charge of each category of national technical qualification shall be determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 14 (Criteria for Administering National Technical Qualification Examinations)
(1) The criteria for administering national technical qualification examinations pursuant to Article 10 (3) of the Act are as shown in attached Table 3. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>
(2) The national technical qualification examination pursuant to Article 10 (3) of the Act shall consist of a written test, an aptitude test and an oral test; and the methods of administering the examination by technical and skill area and by service area are as shown in attached Table 4. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>
(3) Subjects for examination of each category of national technical qualification pursuant to Article 10 (3) of the Act shall be determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>
(4) The national technical qualification examination pursuant to Article 10 (3) of the Act shall be administered in the order of a written test, an aptitude test or an oral test, and those who fail to pass a test in the preceding order may not take the next test: Provided, That for the categories of national technical qualification determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, a written test and an aptitude test may be administered successively, regardless of passing the written test. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>
(5) Where a graduate or candidate for graduation from a high school tailored to industrial demand pursuant to Article 90 (1) 10 of the Enforcement Decree of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (hereinafter referred to as “high school tailored to industrial demand”) or a graduate or candidate for graduation from a specialized high school pursuant to Article 91 of the Enforcement Decree of the same Act (hereinafter referred to as “specialized high school”), who has completed at least 70/100 of a one-year field-practice course pursuant to a field-practice program under Article 5 (3) 3 of the Industrial Education Enhancement and Industry-Academia-Research Cooperation Promotion Act, takes a professional engineer-grade examination, he or she may take an aptitude test at a place designated by the head of the high school tailored to industrial demand or the specialized high school concerned. In such cases, necessary matters concerning the methods for administering national technical qualification examinations shall be determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor. <Amended on Jan. 25, 2012; Sep. 8, 2020>
(6) Regarding categories of national technical qualification, the results of evaluating the test-takers’ business performance, such as technology development, process and quality improvement, while they were in office may be reflected in the records of the aptitude test or oral test.
(7) Eligibility to take national technical qualification examinations in the technical and skill areas among the national technical qualification examinations pursuant to Article 10 (3) of the Act is as shown in attached Table 4-2; and eligibility to take national technical qualification examinations in the service areas shall be determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor by category of national technical qualification based upon work experience and academic achievements. <Newly Inserted on Nov. 19, 2014>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 14-2 (Methods and Procedures for Designating Educational and Training Courses)
(1) A person who intends to have his or her educational and training course designated pursuant to Article 10 (4) of the Act shall file an application with the competent Minister for designation of the educational and training course, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
(2) Upon receipt of an application for designation of an educational and training course pursuant to paragraph (1), the competent Minister may examine whether it meets the criteria for designating educational and training courses pursuant to Article 12-3; and the appropriateness of designation; and if necessary, may request its supplementation, setting a deadline therefor.
(3) The competent Minister shall notify the Minister of Employment and Labor of the results of the examination under paragraph (2); and designate and publicly announce the educational and training course after deliberation by the Policy Council, subject to consultation with the Minister of Employment and Labor.
[This Article Newly Inserted on Nov. 19, 2014]
 Article 14-3 (Criteria for Successful Completion of Educational and Training Courses)
The criteria for successful completion of educational and training courses pursuant to Article 10 (4) of the Act means fulfilling at least 75/100 of the educational and training hours required for each unit of the educational and training course designated in accordance with Article 14-2 (3) (hereinafter referred to as “designated educational and training course”).
[This Article Newly Inserted on Nov. 19, 2014]
 Article 14-4 (Ascertainment of Administration of Educational and Training Courses)
(1) The competent Minister shall ascertain the status of administering the designated educational and training course pursuant to Article 10 (4) of the Act through computer system or documents at least quarterly, and if necessary, may conduct an on-the-spot inspection.
(2) Matters necessary for the procedures and methods for ascertaining designated educational and training courses under paragraph (1) shall be determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
[This Article Newly Inserted on Nov. 19, 2014]
 Article 15 (Implementation of National Technical Qualification Examinations)
(1) The competent Minister shall conduct a national technical qualification examination at least yearly: Provided, That this shall not apply where there is any ground prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor to the contrary, such as when very few or no people are expected to be examined for the relevant category of national technical qualification.
(2) The competent Minister shall forward an implementation plan for the next year’s examination to the Minister of Employment and Labor by October 31 yearly: Provided, That when the next year’s examination is not held under the proviso to paragraph (1), the competent Minister shall notify the Minister of Employment and Labor of such fact by October 31.
(3) When preparing an implementation plan pursuant to the main sentence of paragraph (2), the competent Minister shall consult with the Minister of Employment and Labor about the following matters. In such cases, regarding the matters related to professional engineers, opinions shall be sought from the Minister of Science and ICT: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
1. The category of national technical qualification for which the examination is to be held;
2. The estimated number of applicants for the category of national technical qualification for which the examination is to be held;
3. The time and area the examination is to be held.
(4) Upon receipt of an implementation plan pursuant to paragraph (2), the Minister of Employment and Labor shall consult with the head of the relevant central administrative agency to determine the implementation plan for the examination; and shall notify the competent Minister thereof not later than 35 days before the following year begins. <Amended on May 1, 2012>
(5) Upon receipt of notification of the implementation plan determined pursuant to paragraph (4), the competent Minister shall publicly announce such implementation plan via the Internet or in a general daily newspaper with nationwide circulation registered under Article 9 (1) of the Act on the Promotion of Newspapers, by not later than 30 days before the following year begins. <Amended on May 1, 2012>
(6) The competent Minister may modify the implementation plan determined in accordance with paragraph (4) in consultation with the Minister of Employment and Labor, if any ground arises determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and shall publicly announce any modification in the implementation plan by the method under paragraph (5) specifying the ground for such modification, by not later than 60 days before the examination is held. <Amended on Sep. 8, 2020>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 15-2 (Procedures for Selecting Categories of Course?Based Qualification)
(1) To select a category of course-based qualification pursuant to Article 10-2 (1) of the Act, the competent Minister shall examine the appropriateness of selecting the category of qualification. In such cases, upon request by the competent Minister, the Minister of Employment and Labor may ask an agency to examine the appropriateness of selecting the category of qualification. <Amended on Sep. 8, 2020>
(2) Upon receipt of a request for examination pursuant to the latter part of paragraph (1), the agency shall examine the appropriateness of selecting the category by reflecting the opinions of interested parties, such as the relevant central administrative agency and association, and related experts; and shall notify the competent Minister and the Minister of Employment and Labor of the results.
(3) The competent Minister shall consult with the Minister of Employment and Labor based on the results of examining the appropriateness under paragraphs (1) and (2); and shall select a category of qualification after deliberation by the Policy Council and publicly announce such category by the method under Article 15 (5). <Amended on Sep. 8, 2020>
(4) “Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree” in Article 10-2 (2) 4 of the Act means matters determining whether a category of qualification is related to a particular field that the competent Minister considers necessary to train technical manpower, such as the new industry pursuant to Article 4 (2) 3 of the Industrial Development Act or the ppuri industry pursuant to subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Act on Promotion and Sophistication of Ppuri Industry, for which the National Skill Standards pursuant to subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Framework Act on Qualifications are developed.
[This Article Newly Inserted on Nov. 19, 2014]
 Article 15-3 (Annual Implementation Plans for Course?Based Qualifications)
(1) “Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree” in Article 10-3 (2) 3 of the Act means the following:
1. Matters concerning designated educational and training courses by category of qualification and operation thereof;
2. Matters concerning the implementation of external evaluation by category of qualification.
(2) When developing an annual implementation plan under Article 10-3 (3) of the Act, the Minister of Employment and Labor may request the competent Minister and the designated educational and training institution to submit necessary materials. In such cases, the competent Minister and the designated educational and training institution shall comply with such request unless any extenuating circumstance exists.
[This Article Newly Inserted on Nov. 19, 2014]
 Article 16 (Standards for Exemption from Subjects of National Technical Qualification Examination)
(1) The scope of and standards for the exemption from subjects of national technical qualification examination for a person who falls under any of the subparagraphs of Article 12 (1) of the Act, are as prescribed in each of the following: <Amended on Oct. 12, 2011>
1. A person pursuant to Article 12 (1) 1 of the Act: Exempted from all subjects that overlap with those for the acquired national technical qualification for two years from the date of acquisition of the national technical qualification: Provided, That when the examination is held less than twice biannually from the date of acquisition of the relevant national technical qualification, he or she shall be exempted from the next one;
2. A person who has acquired a related foreign qualification mutually recognized by an agreement with a foreign country pursuant to Article 12 (1) 2 of the Act: Exempted from all or some of the examination subjects for two years from the date of acquisition of the related foreign qualification according to the agreement concluded with the foreign country: Provided, That when the examination is held less than twice biannually from the date of acquisition of the relevant foreign qualification, he or she shall be exempted from the next one;
3. A person who has acquired a qualification pursuant to Article 12 (1) 3 through 5 of the Act: Exempted from all or some of the examination subjects of a category of national technical qualification recognized by the competent Minister as being identical or similar based upon the standards for examination for two years from the date of acquisition of the qualification pursuant to Article 12 (1) 3 through 5 of the Act, as determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor: Provided, That when the examination is held less than twice biannually from the date of acquisition of the relevant qualification, he or she shall be exempted from the next one.
(2) “Persons prescribed by Presidential Decree” in Article 12 (1) 6 of the Act and the scope of and standards for the exemption are as follows: <Amended on Oct. 12, 2011; Nov. 19, 2014>
1. A person who has won a prize at a skills competition determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, such as the skills competitions pursuant to subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of the Act on Encouragement of Skilled Crafts: Exempted from all or some of the industrial engineer and technician examinations in the technical and skill areas or of the examinations in the service areas, as determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor based upon the level of skills competitions, for two years from the date the prize is won at the skills competition: Provided, That when the examination is held less than twice biannually from the date the prize is won at the skills competition, he or she shall be exempted from the next one;
2. A person who has completed at least 70/100 of the whole course of a high school tailored to industrial demand or a specialized high school: Exempted from a written examination for level-III computerized accounting specialist for two years from the date the course is completed: Provided, That when the examination is held less than twice biannually from the date of completion of the course, he or she shall be exempted from the next one;
3. A person who has completed the technical training course determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor: Exempted from a written examination for one of the categories of the technician examination in the technical and skill areas (limited to a category in the same or similar occupational field as specified in attached Table 4-2), which is selected by the applicant, for two years from the date of completion of the course: Provided, That when the examination is held less than twice biannually from the date of completion of the course, he or she shall be exempted from the next one.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 17 (Procedures for Applying for Exemption from Subjects of Examinations)
(1) Any person who intends to be exempted from subjects of an examination pursuant to Article 12 (2) of the Act shall submit an application for exemption to the competent Minister, along with a document showing the grounds for exemption. In such cases, if the person to be exempted is eligible for protection under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the North Korean Refugees Protection and Settlement Support Act, the Minister of Unification may submit the document on behalf of the person.
(2) When deemed necessary to fully or partially exempt the subjects of an examination, the competent Minister may require the applicant to submit necessary documents and other supporting materials; or may refer to the relevant agency for the information for confirming the grounds for exemption.
(3) Except as provided in this Decree, matters necessary for exemption from subjects of examinations shall be determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 18 (Disclosure of Examination Questions)
When deemed necessary for improving examinees’ skills and competence, an institution or organization entrusted with the affairs of the competent Minister regarding the preparation of examination papers; the administration and management of examinations; and the marking of examination papers pursuant to Article 29 (4) may pre-disclose all examination questions to be presented, subject to the competent Minister’s approval. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 19 (Examiners)
(1) When administering a written test or a skill test, the competent Minister shall commission at least two test makers for each category of national technical qualification, particularly from among those who have abundant experience in the industrial field.
(2) When administering a written test, the competent Minister shall commission at least two graders for each category of national technical qualification (at least three graders for an essay-type test): Provided, That in cases of computer grading, it is not necessary to commission graders.
(3) When administering a skill test, the competent Minister shall commission the necessary number of graders for each category of national technical qualification: Provided, That in cases of computer grading, it is not necessary to commission graders.
(4) When administering an oral test, the competent Minister shall commission at least three interviewers for each category of national technical qualification.
(5) The competent Minister shall commission a managing member and an examination supervisor to engage in the work of national technical qualification examination, in accordance with the standards prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
(6) If an examiner or an ex-examiner under paragraphs (1) through (5) adversely affects fairness in the examination or violates related regulations, the competent Minister shall take necessary measures, such as removing the examiner from office or the exclusion of the examiner or ex-examiner in the subsequent examination.
(7) Examiners under paragraphs (1) through (5) shall be commissioned from among those qualified as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
(8) Allowances may be paid within budgetary limits to the examiners under paragraphs (1) through (5).
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 20 (Criteria for Passing Examinations)
(1) The passing score for a written test in the national technical qualification examination for the grade of professional engineer, master craftsman or technician in the technical and skill areas shall be at least 60 out of 100 marks.
(2) The passing score for a written test in the national technical qualification examination for the grade of engineer or industrial engineer in the technical and skill areas shall be at least 40 marks for each subject and an average of at least 60 marks for all subjects out of the full marks of 100 per subject.
(3) The passing score of a skill test and an oral test in the national technical qualification examination in the technical and skill areas shall be at least 60 out of 100 marks: Provided, That when an examinee fails to appear for any part of the skill test or otherwise it is prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, he or she shall be deemed an unsuccessful examinee, irrespective of the score he or she obtains.
(4) The criteria for passing of the national technical qualification examination in the service areas shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor for each category of the national technical qualification examination.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
[Title Amended on Nov. 19, 2014]
 Article 20-2 (Criteria for Passing of Course?Based Qualifications)
(1) Each designated educational and training institution shall conduct an internal evaluation for each unit of designated educational and training course.
(2) The competent Minister shall conduct an external evaluation pursuant to attached Table 4-3 for the trainees who have passed the internal evaluation under paragraph (1).
(3) The passing score for a course-based qualification test shall be an average of at least 80 marks on the basis of 100 marks for each of the internal evaluation and external evaluation pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2).
(4) A person for whom the result of external evaluation under paragraph (2) fails to meet the criteria for passing pursuant to paragraph (3) may re-sit for an external evaluation test within two years after the date of public announcement of the successful applicants for the first external evaluation test in which he or she participated after completing the educational and training course. <Amended on Dec. 19, 2017>
(5) Except as otherwise expressly provided for in paragraphs (1) through (4), matters necessary for the methods and procedures for evaluating course-based qualifications shall be determined and publicly announced by the competent Minister after consultation with the Minister of Employment and Labor.
[This Article Newly Inserted on Nov. 19, 2014]
 Article 21 (Recognition of Partial Pass of Examination)
(1) A person who has passed the written part of a national technical qualification examination shall be exempted from the written test of the category of the national technical qualification for two years from the date he or she passes the written part: Provided, That when the examination is held less than twice biannually from the date he or she passes the written part, he or she shall be exempted from the next written test.
(2) A person who has passed the written part of a category of national technical qualification described in attached Table 5 in the service areas shall be exempted from the written test of the lower grade of the category for two years from the date he or she passes the written part: Provided, That when the examination is held less than twice biannually from the date he or she passes the written part, he or she shall be exempted from the next written test of the lower grade of the category of the national technical qualification.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 22 (Exceptions to Criteria for Passing)
If there is a significant shortage of the holders of a national technical qualification, the competent Minister may pre-determine the planned number of successful applicants for the category of the national technical qualification as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, regardless of the criteria for passing pursuant to Article 20.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 23 (Public Announcement of Successful Applicants)
The competent Minister shall publicly announce successful applicants as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor within 60 days after an examination or the external evaluation of a course-based qualification is completed. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 24 (Prohibition of Double Acquisition of National Technical Qualifications)
No holder of a national technical qualification shall doubly acquire any national technical qualification of the same category as the national technical qualification already acquired.
 Article 25 (Application for Issuance of National Technical Qualification Certificates)
(1) A person who intends to obtain a national technical qualification certificate pursuant to Article 13 (1) of the Act shall submit (including submitting electronically) to the competent Minister an application for issuance of a national technical qualification certificate. <Amended on Mar. 27, 2017>
(2) Upon receipt of an application for issuance or re-issuance of a national technical qualification certificate pursuant to paragraph (1) and Article 13 (2) of the Act, the competent Minister shall issue or re-issue the national technical qualification certificate to the person who has acquired the national technical qualification. In such cases, if a change is made in the information to be entered, the changed information shall be stated on the national technical qualification certificate, subject to verification of such change.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 26 (Management of National Technical Qualification Certificates)
(1) A person whose national technical qualification is revoked or suspended pursuant to Article 16 (1) of the Act shall without delay return his or her national technical qualification certificate to the competent Minister.
(2) The competent Minister shall send a national technical qualification certificate returned under paragraph (1) to the institution or organization entrusted with the authority to issue, re-issue or manage national technical qualification certificates in accordance with Article 29 (5). <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>
(3) The competent Minister shall state on the national technical qualification certificate of a person whose national technical qualification has been suspended, the period of and grounds for such suspension; and return it to the national technical qualification holder after the period of suspension expires.
(4) The competent Minister shall record and manage the following information concerning a national technical qualification holder in the register of national technical qualification holders:
1. The national technical qualification holder’s name, resident registration number, address and other personal information;
2. Information on the national technical qualification acquired, such as the occupational field and category;
3. The name and location of the national technical qualification holder’s workplace;
4. The revocation and suspension of the national technical qualification and other necessary information.
(5) The competent Minister may issue a certificate as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor concerning the information recorded and managed pursuant to paragraph (4), upon request by the national technical qualification holder.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 27 (Preferential Treatment of National Technical Qualification Holders in Employment)
(1) The State, a local government, and an institution designated as a public institution under Article 4 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions (hereinafter referred to as “public institution”) shall accord preferential treatment to the holder of a relevant national technical qualification in employing a public official or employee.
(2) The State, a local government, and a public institution shall accord preferential treatment to a public official or employee holding a national technical qualification in terms of remuneration, promotion, transference, and guarantee of status, as long as it is not contrary to relevant statutes.
(3) An employer shall give preferential treatment to the holder of a national technical qualification in the relevant occupational field in employing, remunerating or promoting a worker pursuant to Article 14 (2) of the Act.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 28 (Mutual Recognition of National Technical Qualifications among Countries)
(1) The competent Minister shall consult with the Minister of Employment and Labor for mutual recognition of national technical qualifications among countries pursuant to Article 21 of the Act.
(2) The competent Minister shall notify the head of the relevant central administrative agency of both the details of the mutual recognition of national technical qualifications among countries and the scope of exchange.
(3) The head of the relevant central administrative agency notified under paragraph (2) shall provide cooperation necessary to improve the system involved, and notify the competent Minister and the Minister of Employment and Labor of the result.
(4) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) through (3), the mutual recognition of professional engineers among countries shall be promoted by the Minister of Science and ICT in consultation with the Minister of Employment and Labor and the head of the relevant central administrative agency. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 29 (Delegation and Entrustment of Authority)
(1) Pursuant to Article 23 (1) of the Act, the competent Minister shall delegate the following authority to the head of an affiliated agency or the head of a local government. In such cases, the competent Ministers delegating such authority and the agencies to whom such authority is to be delegated are as shown in attached Table 6: <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>
1. Investigating the lending and the arrangement of lending of national technical qualification certificates pursuant to Article 15-3 of the Act;
2. Revoking and suspending national technical qualifications pursuant to Article 16 of the Act;
3. Holding hearings pursuant to subparagraph 1 of Article 17 of the Act;
4. Inspecting designated educational and training institutions pursuant to Article 24-4 of the Act;
5. Imposing and collecting administrative fines pursuant to Article 26-2 of the Act;
6. Withdrawing and sending national technical qualification certificates pursuant to Article 26 (1) and (2).
(2) Pursuant to Article 23 (1) of the Act, the authority of the competent Minister to execute the examination of soldiers on service and army civilians shall be entrusted to the Minister of National Defense: Provided, That this shall be limited to executing examinations concerning the categories of national technical qualification prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
(3) Pursuant to Article 23 (1) of the Act, the authority of the competent Minister concerning paying monetary awards pursuant to Article 15-4 of the Act shall be entrusted to the Minister of Employment and Labor. <Newly Inserted on Nov. 19, 2014>
(4) In accordance with Article 23 (2) of the Act, the affairs of the competent Minister concerning the preparation of examination papers, the administration and management of examinations; and the marking of examination papers for qualification examinations shall be entrusted to a relevant specialized institution or organization meeting all of the following requirements: <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>
1. It shall be a non-profit legal entity;
2. It shall have the organizational structure, manpower, and facilities for conducting national technical qualification examinations;
3. It shall have a system to gather consensus from industrial circles and related organizations;
4. It shall specialize in and represent the category of relevant national technical qualification;
5. It shall meet the requirements prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor to facilitate executing national technical qualification examinations.
(5) In accordance with Article 23 (2) of the Act, the authority concerning the issuance, re-issuance and management of national technical qualification certificates for successful examinees pursuant to Article 13 of the Act shall be entrusted to a specialized institution or organization entrusted with the affairs of the competent Minister regarding the relevant national technical qualification examination under paragraph (4). <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>
(6) A specialized institution or organization entrusted with the affairs of the competent Minister under paragraphs (4) and (5) may re-entrust the affairs concerning the administration and management of national technical qualification examinations and the marking of the examination papers and concerning the issuance, re-issuance and management of national technical qualification certificates to a specialized institution or organization that meets the requirements provided for in paragraph (4) 1 and 2, subject to the approval of the competent Minister. <Newly Inserted on Oct. 12, 2011; Nov. 19, 2014>
(7) A specialized institution or organization (hereinafter referred to as “entrusted institution”) entrusted or re-entrusted with the affairs of the competent Minister pursuant to paragraphs (4) through (6) shall establish and enforce the examination administration and management regulations governing the matters necessary to administer and manage national technical qualification examinations, including those prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor. <Amended on Oct. 12, 2011; Nov. 19, 2014>
(8) Procedures for selecting relevant specialized institutions or organizations meeting the requirements of subparagraph (4) shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor. <Amended on Oct. 12, 2011; Nov. 19, 2014>
(9) In accordance with Article 23 (3) of the Act, the affairs of the Minister of Employment and Labor concerning education and training for those holding national technical qualifications pursuant to Article 15-2 (1) of the Act shall be entrusted to a specialized institution or organization falling under any of the following subparagraphs: <Amended on Oct. 12, 2011; Nov. 19, 2014; Feb. 17, 2022>
1. The Service;
2. The consultative body on human resources development for each industry pursuant to Article 12 (2) of the Industrial Development Act;
3. An institution or organization that performs work related to categories of national technical qualification subject to education and training, as follows:
(a) A school pursuant to Article 2 of the Higher Education Act;
(c) A non-profit legal entity established pursuant to any other Act (excluding the Civil Act);
4. An institution or organization designated and publicly notified by the Minister of Employment and Labor as having the capability to conduct education and training for those holding national technical qualifications, among those recognized for vocational skills development training courses in accordance with Article 24 of the National Lifelong Vocational Skills Development Act.
(10) In accordance with Article 23 (2) of the Act, the competent Minister may entrust the following authority to the Service or a specialized institution or organization entrusted with the affairs of the competent Minister concerning the relevant national technical qualification examination under paragraph (4): <Newly Inserted on Nov. 19, 2014; Jun. 11, 2019>
1. Establishing and publicly announcing the criteria for organization by category of qualification pursuant to Article 12-3 (2);
2. Receiving applications for designation of educational and training courses and the examination of the appropriateness of designation pursuant to Article 14-2;
3. Ascertaining the administration of educational and training courses pursuant to Article 14-4;
4. Matters concerning external evaluation (limited to preparing examination papers, administering and managing examinations, and the marking of examination papers) for trainees pursuant to Article 20-2 (2);
5. Issuing, re-issuing and managing national technical qualification certificates for successful applicants for course-based qualification tests pursuant to Article 25.
(11) Where the competent Minister entrusts affairs under paragraph (10), he or she shall publish entrusted institutions and the details of the entrusted affairs on the website or in the Official Gazette. <Newly Inserted on Jun. 11, 2019>
(12) An institution or organization entrusted with affairs under paragraph (11) shall establish and enforce the regulations on management and operation of course-based qualifications governing the matters necessary for the management and operation of the entrusted affairs, including those prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor. <Newly Inserted on Nov. 19, 2014; Jun. 11, 2019>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 30 (Assistance to Entrusted Institutions)
In accordance with Article 23 (5) of the Act, the Minister of Employment and Labor may provide entrusted institutions with technical assistance, including providing data and advice related to national technical qualification examinations. <Amended on Jun. 29, 2007; Jul. 12, 2010>
 Article 31 (Evaluation of Entrusted Institutions)
The Minister of Employment and Labor may conduct a document-based review and an on-site inspection to evaluate an entrusted institution pursuant to Article 24 (1) of the Act.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 31-2 (Agency for Qualification Examinations)
“Institution or organization prescribed by Presidential Decree” in Article 24-2 (4) of the Act means any of the following institutions or organizations: <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>
1. The Service;
2. Of the relevant specialized institutions or organizations meeting all the requirements described in the subparagraphs of Article 29 (4), an institution or organization designated and publicly notified by the Minister of Employment and Labor.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 32 (Notification of Performance of Entrusted Affairs)
Each entrusted institution shall notify both the competent Minister in charge of a relevant national technical qualification and the Minister of Employment and Labor quarterly of the performance of the affairs entrusted or re-entrusted pursuant to Article 29 (4) through (6) and (10). In such cases, regarding the matters related to professional engineers, such notification shall also be given to the Minister of Science and ICT. <Amended on Oct. 12, 2011; Mar. 23, 2013; Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
[Title Amended on Oct. 12, 2011]
 Article 33 (Cooperation in Qualification Examinations)
Each entrusted institution shall request the competent Minister in charge of national technical qualification examinations, the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor or a Special Self-Governing Province Governor, a public institution, or other institutions or organizations to cooperate in using facilities and equipment necessary to conduct national technical qualification examinations; and the head of the institution or organization so requested shall comply with such request unless any extenuating circumstance exists. <Amended on Sep. 8, 2020>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 26, 2010]
 Article 33-2 (Processing of Personally Identifiable Information)
The Minister of Employment and Labor or the competent Minister (including any person to whom the authority of the Minister of Employment and Labor or the competent Minister is delegated, entrusted or re-entrusted under Article 29) may process data containing the resident registration numbers or alien registration numbers prescribed in subparagraph 1 or 4 of Article 19 of the Enforcement Decree of the Personal Information Protection Act, if essential for performing the following affairs: <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Sep. 8, 2020>
1. Affairs relating to establishing, etc. a national technical qualification information system pursuant to Article 7 of the Act;
2. Affairs relating to national technical qualification examinations; verifying eligibility to take such examinations; and designating and operating educational and training courses pursuant to Article 10 of the Act;
3. Affairs relating to education and training for those holding national technical qualifications pursuant to Article 15-2 of the Act;
4. Affairs relating to reporting violations and payment of monetary awards pursuant to Article 15-4 of the Act;
5. Affairs relating to entrusting affairs pursuant to Article 23 of the Act;
6. Affairs relating to exemption from subjects of examinations pursuant to Articles 16 and 17;
7. Affairs relating to recognizing partial pass of examination pursuant to Article 21;
8. Affairs relating to the issuance or re-issuance of national technical qualification certificates pursuant to Article 25;
9. Affairs relating to managing national technical qualification certificates pursuant to Article 26;
10. Affairs relating to notifying performance of entrusted or re-entrusted affairs pursuant to Article 32.
[This Article Newly Inserted on Jan. 6, 2012]
 Article 33-3 (Re-Examination of Regulation)
(1) The Minister of Employment and Labor shall review the appropriateness of the eligibility to take national technical qualification examinations in the technical and skill areas pursuant to Article 14 (7) and attached Table 4-2; and shall take measures for the improvement thereof, every three years (not later than January 1 of a year every three years pass) beginning on January 1, 2014. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Dec. 9, 2014>
(2) Deleted. <Mar. 3, 2020>
[This Article Newly Inserted on Dec. 30, 2013]
 Article 34 (Criteria for Imposing Administrative Fines)
(1) The criteria for imposing administrative fines pursuant to Article 26-2 of the Act are as shown in attached Table 7.
(2) The competent Minister or the Minister of Employment and Labor may aggravate or mitigate an administrative fine provided for in attached Table 7 by up to 1/2 thereof, based upon the severity, frequency, motives, and consequences of offense: Provided, That the administrative fine, even if aggravated, may not exceed the maximum amount of administrative fine set forth in Article 26-2 (1) of the Act.
[This Article Newly Inserted on Nov. 26, 2010]
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 18608, Dec. 28, 2004>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on January 1, 2005.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures concerning Eligibility to Take National Technical Qualification Examinations in Technical and Skill Areas)
(1) Notwithstanding Article 10 (2) and attached Table 1, the eligibility to take national technical qualification examinations in the technical and skill areas shall be governed in accordance with the following table until December 31, 2006:
Grade Eligibility to Take Examination
Professional engineerA person falling under any of the following subparagraphs:
1. A person who has at least four years’ practical experience in an occupational field (including any similar occupational field determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Labor; hereinafter referred to as “same occupational field”) whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs after qualifying as engineer;
2. A person who has at least six years’ practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs after qualifying as industrial engineer;
3. A person who has at least eight years’ practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs after qualifying as technician;
4. A graduate from a 4-year college or a person recognized as having a level of educational attainment at least similar to that of a graduate from a 4-year college (hereinafter referred to as “college graduate, etc.”), who has at least seven years’ post-graduate practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs;
5. A person who has completed a technical training course at an educational and training institution, as determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Labor, providing education and training for engineer-level careers by category of technical qualification and then has at least seven years’ post-completion practical experience in the same occupational field;
6. A graduate from a junior college or a person recognized as having a level of educational attainment at least similar to that of a graduate from a junior college (hereinafter referred to as “junior college graduate, etc.”), who has at least nine years’ post-graduate practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs;
7. A person who has completed a technical training course at an educational and training institution, as determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Labor, providing education and training for industrial engineer-level careers by category of technical qualification; and then has at least nine years’ post-completion practical experience in the same occupational field;
8. A person who has at least eleven years’ practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs;
9. A person who has acquired a qualification of the same grade and category in a foreign country.
Master craftsmanA person falling under any of the following subparagraphs:
1. A person who has completed or is expected to complete a master craftsman course at a polytechnic college established under the Polytechnic College Act, after qualifying as industrial engineer or technician in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs in attached Table 1;
2. A person who has at least six years’ practical experience in the same occupational field after qualifying as industrial engineer;
3. A person who has at least eight years’ practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs after qualifying as technician;
4. A person who has at least eleven years’ practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs;
5. A person who has acquired a qualification of the same grade and category in a foreign country.
EngineerA person falling under any of the following subparagraphs:
1. A person who has at least one year’s practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs after qualifying as industrial engineer;
2. A person who has at least three years’ practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs after qualifying as technician;
3. A person who has acquired a different category of engineer qualification;
4. A college graduate, etc. or an expectant college graduate (including a person in the fourth grade or who has dropped out of college after completion of the third grade);
5. A junior college graduate, etc. who has at least two years’ post-graduate practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs;
6. A person who has completed a technical training course at an educational and training institution, as determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Labor, providing education and training for industrial engineer-level careers by category of technical qualification and then has at least two years’ post-completion practical experience in the same occupational field;
7. A person who has completed or is expected to complete a technical training course at an educational and training institution, as determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Labor, providing education and training for engineer-level careers by category of technical qualification;
8. A person who has at least four years’ practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs;
9. A person who has acquired a qualification of the same grade and category in a foreign country;
10. A person who has been recognized as having a level of educational attainment at least similar to that of a person who graduated from a college under Article 8 of the Act on Recognition of Credits, Etc. or as having acquired at least 106 credit points under Article 7 of the same Act;
11. A person recognized as having a level of educational attainment at least similar to that of a junior college graduate under Article 8 of the Act on Recognition of Credits, Etc., who has at least two years’ practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs.
Industrial engineerA person falling under any of the following subparagraphs:
1. A person who has at least one year’s practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs after qualifying as technician;
2. A person who has acquired a different category of industrial engineer qualification;
3. A junior college graduate, etc. or an expectant junior college graduate (including a person in the second grade or dropped out of junior college after completion of the first grade);
4. A person who has completed or is expected to complete a technical training course at an educational and training institution, as determined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Labor, providing education and training for industrial engineer-level careers by category of technical qualification;
5. A person who has won a prize at the International Youth Skill Olympics or at a domestic skills competition recognized by the Minister of Labor or has been selected as a master technician under the Act on the Encouragement of Technical Skills;
6. A person who has at least two years’ practical experience in the same occupational field whereto the category of his/her application for examination belongs;
7. A person who has acquired a qualification of the same grade and category in a foreign country;
8. A person recognized as having a level of educational attainment at least similar to that of a junior college graduate under Article 8 of the Act on Recognition of Credits, Etc. or as having acquired at least 41 credit points under Article 7 of the same Act.
TechnicianNo qualification required for examination
(2) Where a person who met the eligibility requirements for examination pursuant to paragraph (1) no later than January 1, 2007 has been granted the recognition of partial pass of a national technical qualification examination pursuant to Article 21 or former Article 25 based on the passing of the written part of the examination, he/she shall be deemed to meet the eligibility requirements for examination under this Decree during the period for which such recognition is valid, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 10 (2) and attached Table 1.
Article 3 (Transitional Measures concerning Grades in Technical and Skill Areas)
Of those holding national technical qualifications no later than March 28, 1999, a person who has acquired a Grade-1 engineer qualification shall be regarded as having acquired an engineer-grade qualification; a person who has acquired a Grade-2 engineer qualification; the qualification of a multi-functional technician or the Grade-1 technician qualification as having acquired an industrial engineer-grade qualification; and a person who has acquired the Grade-2 technician qualification or the qualification of a technician as having acquired a technician-grade qualification, respectively.
Article 4 (Transitional Measures Following Abolishment of Assistant Technician System)
Where a person who obtained the national technical qualification of an assistant technician grade no later than May 9, 1998 has continued to work in the relevant occupational field from May 9, 1998 to December 31, 2001, he/she shall be granted the category of technician-grade national technical qualification whereto the qualification acquired before May 9, 1998 belongs.
Article 5 (Relationship with Other Acts and Subordinate Statutes)
At the time this Decree enters into force, references in other statutes to the former Enforcement Decree of the National Technical Qualifications Act or to the provisions thereof, if this Decree includes any provisions corresponding thereto, shall be deemed references to this Decree or the corresponding provisions thereof in lieu of the former Enforcement Decree of the National Technical Qualifications Act or the provisions thereof.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 19544, Jun. 22, 2006>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 20003, Apr. 12, 2007>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Articles 2 and 3 Omitted.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 20140, Jun. 29, 2007>
This Decree shall enter into force on July 1, 2007.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 20681, Feb. 29, 2008>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 5 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 21170, Dec. 17, 2008>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on January 1, 2009.
Article 2 (Applicability concerning Standards for Exemption from Examination Subjects and Recognition of Partial Pass)
(1) The amended provisions of Article 16 (2) 2 shall begin to apply from the first person who has completed a technical training course pursuant to the amended provisions as at the time this Decree enters into force and for whom two years have not passed from the date of completion of the relevant course.
(2) The amended provisions of Article 21 (1) and (2) shall begin to apply from the first person who has passed a written test pursuant to the amended provisions as at the time this Decree enters into force and for whom two years have not passed from the date of passing the written test.
Article 3 (Transitional Measures concerning Eligibility to Take National Technical Qualification Examinations in Technical and Skill Areas)
Notwithstanding the amended provisions of attached Table 1-2, a person recognized as having acquired at least 106 credit points under Article 7 of the Act on Recognition of Credits, Etc. as at the time this Decree enters into force, shall be deemed a candidate for graduation from college in a national technical qualification examination conducted after this Decree enters into force.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 22269, Jul. 12, 2010>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Article 2 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 22356, Aug. 25, 2010>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on September 1, 2010.
Articles 2 through 4 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 22507, Nov. 26, 2010>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on December 1, 2010: Provided, That the amended provisions of Article 16 (2) 1 shall enter into force on January 1, 2011; and the amended provisions of Articles 20 (4) and 21 (2) and of attached Tables 1, 3, 4 and 5 on January 1, 2012.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures Following Change in Grades of National Technical Qualification in Service Areas)
Any person who has acquired a qualification related to a word processor or computer efficiency pursuant to the previous provisions as at the time this Decree enters into force shall be deemed to hold a national technical qualification corresponding to the previous grade, notwithstanding the amended provisions of attached Table 1.
Article 3 (Transitional Measures concerning Eligibility to Take National Technical Qualification Examinations in Technical and Skill Areas)
Any person who meets the eligibility requirements pursuant to subparagraphs 5 though 7 of the Engineer Grade or the eligibility requirements pursuant to subparagraphs 4 though 6 of the Industrial Engineer Grade in the former Table 1-2 as at the time this Decree enters into force shall be regarded as meeting the eligibility requirements for the corresponding grade until December 31, 2012, notwithstanding the amended provisions of attached Table 1-2.
Article 4 (Transitional Measures concerning Administrative Fines)
(1) For the purpose of applying the standards for imposing administrative fines for offenses committed before this Decree enters into force, the former provisions shall prevail, notwithstanding the amended provisions of attached Table 7.
(2) No disposition taken to impose an administrative fine for any offense committed before this Decree enters into force shall be included in calculating the number of offenses pursuant to the amended provisions of attached Table 7.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 23216, Oct. 12, 2011>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That the amended provisions of attached Table 5 shall enter into force on January 1, 2012; the amended provisions of attached Tables 1 and 3 on January 1, 2013; and the amended provisions of Article 16 on January 1, 2014.
Article 2 (Applicability concerning Period of Exemption from Examination Subjects)
The amended provisions of Article 16 shall begin to apply from the first case where an exemption is sought from subjects of a national technical qualification examination conducted as of January 1, 2014.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 23488, Jan. 6, 2012>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Article 2 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 23527, Jan. 25, 2012>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on January 26, 2012. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 4 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 23759, May 1, 2012>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Article 2 (Applicability concerning Public Announcement of Examinations)
The amended provisions of this Decree concerning the deadline for public announcement of examinations, etc. shall begin to apply from the first examination conducted on or after January 1, 2013.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 24478, Mar. 23, 2013>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 25050, Dec. 30, 2013>
This Decree shall enter into force on January 1, 2014. (Proviso Omitted.)
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 25741, Nov. 19, 2014>
This Decree shall enter into force on November 21, 2014: Provided, That the amended provisions of Article 29 (3) and of subparagraph 4 of Article 33-2 shall enter into force on January 1, 2015.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 25751, Nov. 19, 2014>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 5 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 25840, Dec. 9, 2014>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on January 1, 2015.
Articles 2 through 16 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 25985, Jan. 6, 2015>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Articles 2 through 5 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 27751, Dec. 30, 2016>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on January 1, 2017. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 12 Omitted.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 27967, Mar. 27, 2017>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That the amended provisions of Article 5 shall enter into force on March 28, 2017.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 28211, Jul. 26, 2017>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 8 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 28485, Dec. 19, 2017>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Applicability concerning Application for Additional External Evaluation Tests)
The amended provisions of Article 20-2 (4) shall also apply to any person for whom two years have not passed since the date of public announcement of the successful applicants for the first external evaluation test in which he/she participated after completing an educational and training course for course-based national technical qualification as at the time this Decree enters into force.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 29844, Jun. 11, 2019>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 29950, Jul. 2, 2019>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 30509, Mar. 3, 2020>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 31003, Sep. 8, 2020>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 31349, Dec. 31, 2020>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on January 1, 2021.
Articles 2 through 4 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 32274, Dec. 28, 2021>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on December 30, 2021.
Articles 2 through 14 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 32447, Feb. 17, 2022>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on February 18, 2022.
Articles 2 and 3 Omitted.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 32951, Oct. 11, 2022>
This Decree shall enter into force on January 1, 2023: Provided, That the amended provisions of subparagraph 2 of Article 9 shall enter into force on the date of the promulgation.