Tests

The Tour Guide-Interpreter Examination (全国通訳案内士試験) is a national exam in Japan administered by the Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO), under commission from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. This test is open to anyone, regardless of age, sex, education, or nationality. As of 2006, the written exam offered outside of Japan. The LTTC assists in administering the written test in Taiwan.

Any individual who intends to work as a tour guide in Japan must take this test to obtain an official license, as required by the Japanese Government. Failure to observe this law is punishable by a fine.

The Tour Guide-Interpreter Examination is administered once a year in two stages: a written exam and an oral exam. An examinee who passes the written exam has to take the oral exam in Japan.