Fundamental Information Technology Engineer (FE) Exam: A Pathway to Engineering in Japan Without a Degree

The FE exam is a Level-2 certification in the IT Professionals Examination Council (ITPEC) scheme. It is coordinated by Japan’s Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA) and delivered in English by national bodies such as the Philippine National IT Standards Foundation (PhilNITS). The credential attests to solid, broad-based knowledge of IT strategy, management, software, hardware, and networks.

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency lists the FE certificate as one of the professional exams that (a) waive the usual requirement of a related bachelor’s degree or ten years’ experience for the Engineer/Specialist visa, and (b) grant extra points in the Highly-Skilled Professional visa system. In short, passing the FE can open the door to Japanese tech jobs even if you lack a university degree.

There is no formal degree prerequisite. The exam targets candidates who have basic but comprehensive IT knowledge—whether obtained through university study, vocational school, coding boot camps, or on-the-job experience.

PhilNITS opens registration twice a year. Sign up on the PhilNITS website, pay the fee online or at accredited banks, and choose a testing site (typically Manila, Cebu, or Davao). The next English sessions are 26 Oct 2025, 26 Apr 2026, and 25 Oct 2026. Other ITPEC member countries follow the same dates.

Full-day paper exam (English): • AM Session – 90 minutes, 60 MCQs covering Technology, Strategy, Management • PM Session – 100 minutes, 20 scenario-based MCQs that dive deeper into the same domains

Exam fee: ₱2,500 | Removal (retake one failed part within a year): ₱1,200

The FE is accepted across the six ITPEC countries (Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Mongolia, Bangladesh) and acknowledged by many Japanese-affiliated employers throughout Asia.

• Japanese language skill is still crucial for most jobs—aim for JLPT N3 or higher. • Collect proof of your FE certificate and any other ITPEC or IPA credentials when you apply for your visa. • Study resources: IPA’s past questions (Japanese) and PhilNITS review courses (English).

For self-taught developers and vocational-school graduates, the ITPEC FE offers a clear, affordable route to meet Japan’s visa requirements and prove industry-standard competence. Passing it is a smart first milestone on the road to an engineering career in Japan.