International Educational Support Services

Getting a Japanese qualification is the fastest way to build a stable career in Japan.

As a foreigner, you have a strong advantage.
With the Registered Salesperson national license, you can work at more than 60,000 drugstores, pharmacies, and other medicine‑handling shops across Japan.

Become a Registered Salesperson in Japan.

The Registered Salesperson qualification allows you to sell over‑the‑counter medicines (except Category 1 drugs) at drugstores, pharmacies, and convenience stores.

In Japan’s drugstore industry, the number of foreign customers is rapidly increasing.
Because of this, the demand for foreign Registered Salespersons who can communicate in multiple languages is growing fast.


Use your strength as a foreigner.

Become a nationally certified professional in Japan and gain stability, respect, and a high‑income career.

Drugstores and Pharmacies in Japan

In Japan, medicines are sold not only in pharmacies but also in drugstores and convenience stores.
There are 22,084 drugstores nationwide.

Below is the list of major drugstore companies in Japan, written in the same order as your table, but without using a table.


RANKING 

1.Matsukiyo Cocokara & Company  Number of stores: 3,499

2. Welcia Holdings  Number of stores: 3,013


3. Tsuruha Holdings  Number of stores: 2,658


4. Sugi Holdings  Number of stores: 2,185


5. Cosmos Pharmaceutical  Number of stores: 1,609


6.Sundrug Number of stores: 1,542


7. Kusuri no Aoki Holdings  Number of stores: 1,036

Sales of Category 1 medicines, guidance-required medicines, and prescription-based dispensing are exclusively performed by licensed pharmacists.


Category 2 and Category 3 over‑the‑counter medicines may only be sold by pharmacists or certified Registered Salespersons.

Today, the sale of medicines has expanded beyond pharmacies and drugstores to include convenience stores and supermarkets. As a result, more than 100,000 locations nationwide now require Registered Salespersons.

Therefore, drugstores serving inbound foreign tourists increasingly need Registered Salespersons who can speak foreign languages. For foreign workers, this qualification allows them to use their specialized knowledge and obtain stable, well‑paid employment.

To become a Registered Salesperson, candidates must pass the Registered Salesperson Examination, which is held annually.

Why the Registered Salesperson Qualification Is Ideal for Foreigners

★No eligibility requirements, even though it is a national qualification.


★ The exam is multiple‑choice only, so no listening, writing, or speaking skills are required.


★The exam is held in different regions on different dates, giving you more chances to take the test and increasing your chances of early success.

The Registered Salesperson Examination is a test for obtaining the qualification of Registered Salesperson, a license that allows the holder to sell over‑the‑counter medicines (Category 2 and Category 3 medicines) in Japan.

Anyone can take the Registered Salesperson Examination.
There are no restrictions on nationality or educational background.


Therefore, foreign residents in Japan—including international students—are generally eligible to take the exam.

However, because work eligibility depends on the type of residence status, only certain visa holders can actually work as Registered Salespersons.
Those who can work include:

• Permanent Residents
• Spouses of Japanese Nationals
• Long‑Term Residents
• International Students (with permission for part‑time work)
• Holders of the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa

Exam Sections, Number of Questions, Time, and Difficulty

1. Characteristics and Basic Knowledge Common to Medicines
Number of questions: 20
Time: 40 minutes
Difficulty: 1

2. The Human Body and Medicines
Number of questions: 20
Time: 40 minutes
Difficulty: 3

3. Major Medicines and Their Effects
Number of questions: 40
Time: 80 minutes
Difficulty: 5

4. Pharmaceutical Laws and Regulations
Number of questions: 20
Time: 40 minutes
Difficulty: 3

5. Proper Use of Medicines and Safety Measures
Number of questions: 20
Time: 40 minutes
Difficulty: 2

Total
Number of questions: 120
Time: 240 minutes

Exam Format

The exam is entirely multiple‑choice.
There are no written questions, no listening section, and no interview or practical test.
This format is especially advantageous for foreign applicants who may not have strong Japanese language skills.

The exam consists of 120 questions and lasts 4 hours (240 minutes).

To pass, you must score 70% overall (84 correct answers) and also achieve a minimum score in each subject area (generally 35–40%).

Exam Fee

The exam fee ranges from 13,600 to 15,000 yen, depending on the organization that administers the test.

Exam Schedule

The exam is conducted in six regional blocks across Japan, and each block has a different exam date.
Because the dates vary by region, applicants have multiple opportunities to take the exam, increasing the chances of passing early.

As of the end of February 2026, the 2026 exam dates have not yet been announced.
Official dates will be released gradually from April onward.

Based on the 2025 schedule, the expected exam dates are as follows.

Expected Exam Dates and Application Periods by Region

Hokkaido & Tohoku
Expected exam date: Weekday in late August
Application period: Around May–June

Kanto (Tokyo area & North Kanto)
Expected exam date: Sunday in early September
Application period: Mid‑June to early July

Chubu (Hokuriku, Tokai, Koshinetsu)
Expected exam date: Weekday from late August to early September
Application period: Late June to late July

Kinki (Kansai & Fukui)
Expected exam date: Weekend in late August
Application period: Early June to early July

Chugoku & Shikoku
Expected exam date: Weekday in mid‑ to late October
Application period: Around mid‑July

Kyushu & Okinawa
Expected exam date: Sunday in late December
Application period: Late August to early September

Difficulty Level

For Japanese test‑takers, the pass rate is approximately 50%.
Among national examinations in Japan, very few have such a high pass rate, which means this exam is considered relatively easy.
Because of this, it is also regarded as an exam that foreigners can pass more easily.

However, sufficient Japanese reading ability and basic knowledge of medicines and illnesses are still required.
In addition, after passing the exam, basic Japanese communication skills are necessary for customer service and explaining products at the workplace.

 

Application Method

The application period is announced for each exam schedule.
For example, for exams held in August, the expected application period is May 15–31.
During this period, you must obtain the application form, fill it out, and submit it together with the exam fee.

Applications cannot be submitted from an overseas address.
A Japanese domestic address is required.

Important:
Some regions close the application period in as little as two weeks.
Please check the IESS website regularly and make sure you do not miss any notifications from IESS.

Application Procedures

1. Obtain the application form and prepare the required documents
Required items include:
• ID photo
• Exam fee (revenue stamp, etc.)

2. Fill out the application form and pay the exam fee
• Use a black ballpoint pen
• For applicants living overseas, IESS will complete the form and make the payment on your behalf

3. Submit the application (by mail or in person)
• Applicants living overseas can have IESS submit the application for them
• Submission deadlines must be strictly followed (be careful with postmark deadlines)

＊＊＊＊Important Notes ＊＊＊

１．About the ID Photo

Selfies taken on a smartphone or cropped photos from casual snapshots are 100% rejected.

Smartphone apps + convenience‑store printing may be cheap (around 200 yen), but the risk of poor image quality or incorrect sizing is high. Please avoid this method.

Three rules you must follow about Photo:

① Correct Size
In many prefectures, the required size is 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm (passport size), but some prefectures use different dimensions.
Always check the application guide and confirm the exact size in millimeters.

② Taken Within the Last 6 Months
Old photos are not accepted.


③Write your full name on the back of the photo with an oil‑based pen in case it becomes detached.



２．How to Fill Out the Application Form

If you are not confident in writing Japanese, please consult IESS.

① Write clearly and legibly
The application must be written in handwriting that can be easily read by the examiner.

② Follow the required number format
Use either Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) or Chinese numerals (一, 二, 三) according to the instructions on the form.
For addresses—such as 1-2-3 or 1‑chome 2‑ban 3‑go—make sure the notation matches exactly what is written on your Residence Certificate (Juminhyo).

③ Current address and contact information
Write the address where your exam admission ticket will be delivered.
Do not omit the apartment or building name.

3.Attaching the Exam Fee

Check whether your prefecture requires a Revenue Certificate (Shunyu Shoshi) issued by the prefecture, or a Revenue Stamp (Shunyu Inshi) issued by the national government

Most prefectures use the prefectural Revenue Certificate or a Proof of Payment slip.

These items cannot be purchased at convenience stores.
Buy them at a post office, bank, or certificate sales counter inside a police station.


4.Submission Method: “Simplified Registered Mail” Required

When submitting the application by mail, do not use regular mail (such as an 84‑yen stamp) and do not use courier services.


You must go to the post office counter and send it using Simplified Registered Mail (Kani‑Kakitome) or Special Record Mail (Tokutei Kiroku Yubin). 


Applications cannot be mailed from overseas.

Applicants living abroad must have IESS submit the application on their behalf.

Application Support Service for Foreign Residents Overseas

For foreign residents living overseas, or for those who are not confident in writing Japanese,
IESS (our company) will handle the entire application process on your behalf — including obtaining the application form, filling it out, paying the exam fee, and receiving the completed application documents.

The service fee is 3,000 yen per application, an exceptionally affordable price.
Please pay this fee together with the exam fee and registration fee in advance.

 

You can apply for the proxy service through our website:https://www.iess-japan.com/cont5/29.html