Skills system set for elderly care workers

China has established its first national qualification system for elderly care professionals, introducing a standardized, three-tier certification system to regulate and expand the workforce managing the country's rapidly aging population.

The framework, detailed in interim regulations jointly issued by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on Friday, establishes three vocational skill levels — junior, intermediate and senior. These levels apply to elderly care professionals working in home-based, community-based and institutional care settings.

While senior-level certification protocols remain under development, junior and intermediate candidates will now be subject to nationally unified examinations.

The policy rollout follows the official recognition of "elderly care service professional" as a distinct occupational classification by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in July 2025.

According to official data, China's population aged 60 and above reached 323.4 million at the end of last year, representing approximately 23 percent of the total population. That figure is projected to exceed 400 million by 2035, with seniors living with disabilities expected to rise from 35 million to 46 million over the same period.

Under the new guidelines, eligibility for the baseline junior-level examination requires candidates to be actively employed in senior care and hold at least a senior high school or secondary vocational diploma.

Advancement to the intermediate level requires extended field experience or higher academic benchmarks. For example, a certified junior professional must complete eight years of active service before applying for the intermediate exam, whereas university graduates holding a bachelor's degree in senior care-related fields require three years of experience.

The regulations outline distinct operational scopes for each tier.

Junior-level professionals are expected to provide a comprehensive range of services, including long-term care for older adults with disabilities, rehabilitation therapy, health management, dementia prevention, psychological support, hospice and palliative care, as well as the planning and design of age-friendly living environments.

They are also required to be proficient in using rehabilitation assistive devices, senior care technology products and related equipment.

Intermediate-level professionals, on top of being able to execute junior-level tasks, will be responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments of older adults' physical condition, care needs and living environments.

Their responsibilities also include developing and implementing care plans, identifying and mitigating potential risks, providing training and guidance to junior caregivers, and offering information consulting and resource referral services.

Dong Xizhen graduated with a vocational school diploma in elderly care service and management in 2023, and works at a private nursing home in Tianjin.

"Taking good care of the elderly requires more than just patience and basic skills like helping them eat. It also calls for knowledge of rehabilitation training and psychological counseling," she said. "The newly released certification system gives me a clear roadmap for career development."

Xie Lili, from Renmin University of China's School of Population and Health, told Xinhua News Agency that the system will make the profession more attractive to skilled workers.

"The release of this system will help stabilize the existing workforce, curb talent attrition, and gradually build a professional elderly care team that is sufficient in size, well structured and highly competent," she said.

wangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn