The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is held in Japan and abroad to evaluate and certify the Japanese language proficiency of non-native speakers. It has been offered by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (formerly Association of International Education, Japan) and the Japan Foundation since 1984.
For more detailed information, including a summary of linguistic competence required for each level and statistics, please refer to the JLPT website which is jointly managed by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services and the Japan Foundation.

This depends on a school which you are making an application to. Please confirm with them first and take either the JLPT or the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) by following their advice.

It is held twice a year – in July and in December.

There is no age limit or restriction on nationalities. However, to take the test in Japan, you must enter your residence card number and expiration date when applying. If you do not have a residence card—such as during short-term stays for tourism—you cannot take the test.
You may take the JLPT even if you have Japanese nationality as long as you are a non-native Japanese speaker. There are, however, some exceptional circumstances when even native Japanese speakers are asked to take the JLPT. This is usually when you need to file an application to the Japanese national license examination and/or you have received primary and/or secondary education abroad. For more details, please contact the JLPT Application Center (tel. 03-6686-2974).

As long as you are a non-native Japanese speaker, you may take the JLPT regardless of your nationality. Please declare that your nationality is Japanese when you apply. Your nationality may be verified on the day of the test.

The JLPT will be held in 47 prefectures in Japan. However, as we cannot confirm the exact locations until just before the test date, we will notify you when we send out your test voucher.

* Please be aware that the test site different from the one you want such as one in a neighbor prefecture might be specified depending on the number of applications or other reasons.

Yes, you can. For details, please contact the Japan Foundation Center for Japanese-Language Testing (e-mail. jlptinfo@jpf.go.jp) or for Taiwan, the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, the Interchange Association, Japan (tel. 03-5573-2600).

Please call the JLPT Application Center (03-6686-2974) as soon as the application period starts to obtain a “Request Form for Special Accommodations” and apply for the special testing accommodations by mail. We provide necessary arrangement for your special needs by e.g. providing Braille papers enlarged print papers, special seating arrangement, headphones and extended answer time depending on your needs. However, please note that in some cases it may not be possible. Also most importantly we can only offer you special assistance if you have notified us when you send an application.

Please send your documents by mail to the address below.

〒100-0003
東京都（とうきょうと）千代田区（ちよだく）一ツ橋（ひとつばし）1-1-1　パレスサイドビル6F東（ひがし）コア
日本語能力試験（にほんごのうりょくしけん）受付（うけつけ）センター

This address is for receiving mail only.
There is no service counter, and documents cannot be dropped off in person. Please send everything by mail.
If you have any questions, please contact us by phone.
TEL: 03-6686-2974 (Office hours: Monday–Friday 9:30–17:30, closed on weekends and national holidays)