Explains the differences and how to choose between the three categories of Specified Skilled Worker Level 2 Construction: Civil Engineering, Building Construction, and Lifeline Equipment. Includes job descriptions, pass rates, and a flowchart to help you find the right category.
建設業界で20年の現場経験を持ち、数多くの外国人技能実習生の指導にあたってきた。現在はUKARU代表として、建設分野の特定技能試験対策をDXし、外国人が日本で長く活躍できる環境づくりに注力している。
著者について詳しく→Key points of this article:
The Specified Skilled Worker Level 2 Construction exam is divided into three categories.
| Category | Target Job | 2025 Pass Rate | |------|-----------|------------| | Civil Engineering | Construction of roads, bridges, tunnels, and rivers | Approx. 40% | | Building Construction | Construction and renovation of buildings | Approx. 48% (Highest) | | Lifelines/Equipment | Electrical, water, air conditioning, and gas work | Approx. 35% |
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan Statistics
The detailed exam content for each category is explained in the following articles:
Answer the following questions to find the category that fits you best.
Working on roads, bridges, tunnels, or river construction → Please choose Civil Engineering
Working on building or repairing structures → Please choose Building Construction
Working on electrical, water, air conditioning, or gas systems → Please choose Lifelines/Equipment
If you work in multiple fields, choose the field where you have the most experience. It is easier to understand the exam content in a field you are already familiar with.
If your employer specifies a category, please choose that one. This is because the change in status of residence must match the duties at your workplace.
Best suited for:
Exam characteristics:
Best suited for:
Exam characteristics:
Best suited for:
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It is dangerous to choose Building Construction just because it has a high pass rate. Choosing a category that does not match your experience can actually make it harder to pass.
When changing your status of residence after passing, your job duties at your employer must match the category you passed. Be sure to check with your company in advance.
Once you decide which category to take, study intensively for at least 3 months before taking the exam.
Yes, you can change your category when retaking the exam. However, since the scope of questions changes significantly, you will need to prepare thoroughly again.
No, you cannot take multiple categories simultaneously. You can only take one category per exam session.
No, regardless of which category you pass, there is no difference in the period of stay. For Specified Skilled Worker Level 2, there is no limit on the total period of stay for any category, and it can be renewed indefinitely.
Once you've decided on a category, start your exam preparation today. At UKARU, we offer practice questions for each of the three categories.
Study by category in the exam prep course →