First, figure out which professional series and level you belong to, then find the right application channels based on your employer type.

There are 27 professional series nationwide, each divided into junior, intermediate, and senior levels. Generally, you must progress through these levels one by one. Employees working for organizations must have their applications reviewed and publicly posted by their employer before submission. Those working for private firms can apply via local professional qualification service centers, talent agencies, or industry associations. Self-employed individuals should apply through the local human resources and social security department.

No cost involved. It takes about half an hour to look up the latest application guidelines for your province.

A total of 27 professional series exist across China, covering fields such as economics, engineering, healthcare, and publishing. These are categorized into senior, intermediate, and junior levels. Order No. 40 issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security applies to enterprises, public institutions, social organizations, individual economic entities, and self-employed professionals alike. Applicants must generally advance step by step through these levels. Employers must review all submitted materials and publicly display them for at least five working days. Private firms and self-employed individuals may opt to have talent agencies handle the review, public posting, and recommendation processes. Local authorities are required to establish professional qualification service centers in science parks and high-tech zones; applications may also be accepted through talent agencies, industry associations, and professional societies. Eligible self-employed individuals may participate in evaluations organized by local human resources departments. Any documentation that can be verified online must not require additional certification. If any materials are missing, evaluators must clearly specify what is lacking in one single notice. Employees of private firms typically apply in the region where their employment contract is based. Those assigned to work elsewhere for at least one full year may apply at their temporary duty location. Retired personnel are ineligible to apply. Public sector employees currently under disciplinary action at or above the level of a reprimand cannot apply during that period (nationwide).

No single nationwide list of required documents exists. Each professional series and province publishes its own annual application guidelines detailing necessary materials, deadlines, and performance criteria. Therefore, the first step is to search the official website of your provincial human resources department for the current year’s instructions. Publishing academic papers is no longer mandatory: a 2016 reform directive explicitly removed this requirement for practical professionals, and standardized language or computer proficiency tests are no longer mandatory either. Skilled technical workers may also qualify to apply for engineering-related professional titles. Government officials are prohibited from participating in such evaluations.

人力资源和社会保障部令第 40 号 (2019). 职称评审管理暂行规定. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2019/content_5437137.htm：第二条、第十三条、第十四条、第十五条、第十六条、第十七条、第十八条；人力资源社会保障部办公厅 (2020). 关于进一步做好民营企业职称工作的通知. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2020-03/03/content_5486340.htm：「在专业技术人才密集的创业孵化基地、高新技术开发区、科技园区等地设立职称申报受理服务点，或通过人才中介服务机构、工商联、行业协会商会、学会等社会组织受理民营企业专业技术人才职称申报」「民营企业专业技术人才被派驻外地连续工作一年以上的，可按有关规定在派驻地申报职称评审」；新华社 (2024). 职称评审进入高峰，信息如何查？有何新变化？ https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/202410/content_6978917.htm：「我国共设有经济、工程、卫生、出版等27个职称系列」「符合条件的自由职业者，可根据属地原则申报参加当地人社部门组织的职称评审」；中共中央办公厅、国务院办公厅 (2016). 关于深化职称制度改革的意见. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2017/content_5163445.htm：「不将论文作为评价应用型人才的限制性条件」「对职称外语和计算机应用能力考试不作统一要求」「符合条件的高技能人才，可参加工程系列专业技术人才职称评审」「公务员不得参加专业技术人才职称评审」