The new edition of the National Vocational Qualification Catalogue has finally been released.
Recently, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security published the National Vocational Qualification Catalogue (2021 Edition). This updated catalogue includes a total of 72 vocational qualifications. Among these, 59 are professional qualifications for technical personnel—33 for entry admission and 26 for level evaluation—and 13 are professional qualifications for skilled personnel.
What changes were made compared to the 2017 edition?
The 2021 revision is based on the optimization of the 2017 National Vocational Qualification Catalogue. The total number of vocational qualifications has been reduced by 68, representing a 49% decrease compared to the 2017 version. Key adjustments include:
- Removal of qualifications such as entry and exit quarantine personnel, rural veterinary qualifications, and registered engineers for survey and design under categories like “Registered Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineer,” “Registered Metallurgical Engineer,” “Registered Mining/Mineral Engineer,” and “Registered Mechanical Engineer”.
- Addition of professional qualifications for level evaluation in “Actuary” and “Mining Rights Appraiser”.
- Establishment of a subcategory for “Occupational Disease Diagnosis Physician” under the doctor qualification.
- Reclassification of “Registered Equipment Supervisors” from admission to level evaluation, with a name change to “Equipment Supervisors”.
- The title “Patent Agent” has been standardized to “Patent Agent”.
- The professional qualification for land registration agency personnel has been renamed to “Real Estate Registration Agency Personnel”.
- The “Securities and Futures Industry Qualification” is now called the “Securities and Futures Fund Industry Qualification”.
Notably, “Registered Urban and Rural Planner” and “Registered Surveyor” remain listed. Previously, it was announced that registered urban and rural planners would shift to the level evaluation category, while registered surveyors would be removed from the directory.
Officials from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security clarified in response to reporters’ questions:
No vocational qualifications outside the catalogue shall be licensed or recognized. Furthermore, no vocational qualifications within the catalogue—except for entry admission qualifications—will be linked to employment or entrepreneurship.
Industry associations, societies, and other social organizations may conduct ability level evaluations based on professional standards and market needs. However, these evaluations must not be used to indirectly license or recognize vocational qualifications, nor set employment or entrepreneurship thresholds.
Announcement from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on the Publication of the National Vocational Qualification Catalogue (2021 Edition)
In line with the State Council’s directive to streamline administration, delegate authority, improve regulation, and optimize services, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, in coordination with relevant State Council departments, has optimized and revised the National Vocational Qualification Catalogue, resulting in the 2021 Edition. With the State Council’s approval, this edition is hereby announced.
Attachment: National Vocational Qualification Catalogue (2021 Edition). pdf
Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security
November 23, 2021
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