The professional title evaluation will undergo major adjustments

On March 20, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security drafted the “Decision of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on Amending the Interim Provisions on the Management of Professional Title Evaluation” (Draft for Soliciting Opinions) (hereinafter referred to as the “Draft for Soliciting Opinions”), publicly soliciting comments from the public, with the deadline for submitting feedback set for April 20, 2026.

This round of revisions involves amending 10 articles in the “Interim Provisions” and adding 5 new articles.

Who may not apply to participate in professional title evaluation?

In the “Draft for Soliciting Opinions,” Article 13, Paragraph 2 is amended to: “The applicant shall be a full-time professional and technical talent employed by the unit. Retirees shall not apply to participate in professional title evaluation or obtain professional titles.”

Paragraph 3 is amended to: “If the applicant is a state public official and has received an administrative sanction, then during the period of the administrative sanction the applicant may not apply to participate in professional title evaluation. For other persons who have received a disciplinary sanction of record or above, during the period of the sanction they may not apply to participate in professional title evaluation.”

Can non-public-sector professionals and freelancers participate in professional title applications?

In the “Draft for Soliciting Opinions,” Article 17 is amended to: “Professional and technical talents of non-publicly owned economic organizations and freelancers, etc., who apply for professional title evaluation shall enjoy equal protection of lawful rights and interests and shall perform equal obligations. The procedures such as application review, public notice, recommendation, etc., may be carried out by the employing unit or a personnel agency, etc., where they work. Specific requirements shall be stipulated by the local human resources and social security administrative department.” It opens up channels for professional title applications for non-public-sector professionals and freelancers.

Which situations in professional title activities constitute dishonesty?

The General Offices of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have issued the “Opinions on Deepening the Reform of the Professional Title System,” which requires that, “efforts be made to explore the establishment of a professional title application and evaluation integrity档案 (integrity file) and a dishonesty blacklist system. Improve the mechanisms for integrity commitments and dishonesty penalties.” This revision focuses on amendments to provisions concerning credit management.

First, it clearly specifies that human resources and social security administrative departments should improve the professional title credit management system, strengthen oversight and management of relevant personnel involved in professional title activities, and, together with relevant departments, establish and improve rules for investigating and handling dishonest conduct in professional title activities.

Second, it clearly specifies the specific responsibilities for evaluation units to implement credit management, including formulating specific measures for investigating and handling dishonest conduct in professional title applications. Within the scope of professional title activities they implement, dishonest conduct shall be identified in accordance with the law and corresponding handling shall be carried out. An integrity file for professional title application and evaluation, along with records and summaries of information on dishonest conduct, shall be established and, according to authority, consolidated and submitted to the human resources and social security administrative department.

The “Draft for Soliciting Opinions” provides that: in professional title activities, any of the following circumstances shall be deemed dishonest conduct:

(1) The applicant has circumstances such as making untrue commitments, falsifying materials for professional title evaluation, obtaining a professional title through improper means, etc.;

(2) Evaluation experts have circumstances such as obtaining evaluation expert qualifications through improper means; in the process of deliberation, scoring, voting, and other steps, there is obvious unfairness; in professional title work they have not complied with provisions on confidentiality, avoidance, etc.; they use their status as evaluation experts to provide convenience for others or for relevant intermediary social institutions, or to seek improper benefits, etc.;

(3) Personnel involved in professional title evaluation have circumstances such as failing to perform review duties in accordance with regulations, not complying with provisions on confidentiality, avoidance, etc. in professional title work, and using their position to provide convenience for others or for relevant intermediary social institutions, or to seek improper benefits, etc.;

(4) Other dishonest and non-compliant circumstances.

How to strengthen credit management?

The “Draft for Soliciting Opinions” provides that: human resources and social security administrative departments shall establish and improve the professional title credit management system, strengthen oversight and management of relevant personnel involved in professional title activities, and, according to actual needs, together with relevant departments, establish rules for investigating and handling dishonest conduct in professional title activities.

“The unit that assembles the professional title evaluation committee shall formulate specific measures for investigating and handling dishonest conduct in professional title evaluation.”

Within the scope of professional title activities implemented by the unit assembling the professional title evaluation committee, credit management shall be carried out for applicants, evaluation experts, personnel engaged in professional title evaluation, etc. Dishonest conduct shall be identified in accordance with regulations and corresponding handling shall be carried out.

The unit assembling the professional title evaluation committee shall establish an integrity file for professional title application and evaluation, record and compile information on dishonest conduct within the scope of professional title activities that has been identified and handled, and, according to the authority for professional title evaluation management, submit the information to the human resources and social security administrative department for consolidation.

Read the full text of the “Draft for Soliciting Opinions”