China is intensifying efforts to enhance the evaluation framework for professionals in elderly care services. The aim is to ensure that these workers get equitable, scientifically based opportunities for advancement, and the country's expanding aging population receives professional, high-quality care.

Under the framework, the nation is preparing its first entry-level and intermediate qualification examinations for the profession, with the date yet to be finalized, according to senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on Thursday.

The annual examination is based on two state-level regulations issued by the two ministries in June and September, which define the profession, its responsibilities and the evaluation criteria.

For example, entry-level elderly care service professionals should possess foundational knowledge and skills in caring for and nursing seniors, and provide them with information and suggestions based on their abilities, needs and living environments. Also, they should be proficient with rehabilitation aids and technology, and capable of evaluating service quality and suggesting improvements.

The examination for entry-level certificates will be open to workers at nursing homes or community-based nursing facilities who have an educational background of regular high school or junior vocational college. College students can also register for the entry-level exam.

The standards for people applying for the intermediate-level exam vary based on their educational background and careers. For example, workers with undergraduate degrees who have been engaged in the sector for at least three years are allowed to register for the intermediate-level exam.

Senior officials stated that establishing a standard evaluation framework for the profession will help better address the aging problem and enable more elderly individuals to benefit from stable, high-quality and affordable care.

"The nation is facing an expanding aging population, with roughly 323 million people aged 60 and above as of the end of 2025. The number of seniors of advanced age, as well as those who have lost basic living abilities or are experiencing dementia, is also increasing. Therefore, the establishment of an evaluation framework for this type of talent will help improve the nation's services for seniors," said Li Banghua, director of the civil affairs ministry's elderly services department, at a news conference on Thursday.

He said talent is the key to the high-quality and standardized development of elderly care services. "Previously, workers in the sector faced problems such as limited promotion opportunities and low social recognition, which led to a severe brain drain. The framework will help enhance job satisfaction and career development for the workers," he added.

According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, as of the end of 2025, there were about 1.4 million people involved in the elderly services industry. Among them, 685,000 worked in nursing homes, and about 710,000 served in community-based nursing facilities.

Li said the profession has a promising future thanks to the development of the elderly services industry and the silver economy. "People who obtain the certificates can find jobs at nursing homes, companies and social organizations involved in the silver economy, such as those focused on rehabilitation, health management and the development of elderly friendly products. They can also play active roles at independent agencies that assist companies in designing or renovating homes for the elderly, or at educational agencies involved in training," he said.

Liu Yuanwo, a senior official from the human resources ministry, reminded people preparing for the examination that the government has not authorized any training institutions for exam preparation.

He advised candidates to be wary of false advertising. "Any fraudulent activities related to exam preparation will be legally addressed," he said.