Japan Certified Social Worker National Exam: Photo Spec and How to Create It
Create an exam photo that follows the official guidance from the Social Welfare Promotion & National Examination Center (SSC), from a smartphone shot, for ¥200. Supports both the current paper-based "Exam Photo Confirmation Form" workflow and the upcoming online application from Round 39 (Feb 2027).
| Dimensions | 45mm × 35mm |
|---|---|
| Face length | Not specified |
| Top margin | Not specified |
| Background | Plain background — a white or light-colored wall is recommended, with no shadows, patterns, or gradients |
| Shoot-by window | Taken within 6 months of application |
| Official issuer | MHLW / Social Welfare Promotion & National Examination Center (SSC) |
View the official source ↗(Last verified: 2026-05-27)
Verbatim official spec
Below is the Japanese-original summary of the spec from the SSC official application guide (38th-round handbook). Because the official PDF is binary and resists clean text extraction, only points consistently confirmed across multiple official references are shown here.
- 「縦 4.5cm × 横 3.5cm、申込前 6 か月以内に撮影、正面・脱帽・肩から上、両目開・顔はっきり (試験中眼鏡を着用する場合は撮影時も着用)」
- 「全員が提出するもの: 受験用写真等確認票」
- 「受験用写真等確認票に写真を貼付」
Why this spec matters
The Certified Social Worker (Shakai Fukushi-shi) qualification is a Japanese national license established under the Certified Social Worker and Certified Care Worker Act (1987) and administered by the Social Welfare Promotion & National Examination Center (SSC). The role centers on consultation and casework for older adults, people with disabilities, children, and people in financial hardship, with major workplaces including medical social work in hospitals, community comprehensive support centers, child consultation centers, government, and councils of social welfare. The 38th round (February 2026) recorded 25,430 candidates and 15,438 passers — a 60.7% pass rate, the highest on record. There are 12 routes to eligibility (e.g. 4-year welfare-major degree, junior college plus practical experience, general degree plus training institute), and the exam is a mark-sheet test of 19 subjects across 129 questions in 225 minutes at sites in 24 prefectures. The photo is the familiar passport-size 45×35mm, but it must be pasted onto the dedicated "Exam Photo Confirmation Form" — required for everyone under the paper application used through Round 38. From Round 39 (February 2027), SSC plans to migrate fully to online application: the printed photo will be replaced by an uploaded image file, while the main exam remains mark-sheet (no CBT). Note that the Certified Care Worker, administered by the same SSC under the same law, is a fully separate qualification — it covers direct care (physical care, daily-life support) rather than consultation, so do not confuse the two when applying.
How to create it for ¥200
With a smartphone and ¥200, you can prepare a spec-compliant photo for the Confirmation Form in about two minutes.
- 1
Take the photo on your smartphone
Stand against a plain, light-colored wall in a bright room. No hat. Frame from the shoulders up, eyes wide open, neutral expression, eyes on the lens. If you wear glasses during the exam, wear them in the shot as well. - 2
AI removes the background and aligns to spec
Upload the photo. AI removes the background and auto-crops to the 35×45mm ratio. Face position can be fine-tuned to 0.1mm precision, producing a result that follows the SSC official guidance. - 3
Print at a Japan conbini via the emailed QR code, then paste it onto the Confirmation Form and mail it
After payment, a QR code and 8-digit user number arrive by email. Print on L-size glossy paper from ¥30 at any Japan conbini, then paste the photo onto the "Exam Photo Confirmation Form" and mail it in. From Round 39 (Feb 2027) onward, the workflow is expected to switch to online image upload.
Create a Certified Social Worker exam photo for ¥200
AI auto-adjusts your smartphone shot to the 35×45mm spec. A QR code for convenience-store printing is emailed to you — print on glossy paper, paste onto the Exam Photo Confirmation Form, and mail it in.
Create now — ¥200What Ramune AI ID Photo offers
Even for a tight spec like My Number, you can finish the entire shoot → process → print workflow in your browser.
0.1mm face position adjustment
Drag the hairline, chin, and face-width guides — or type the millimetre value — to fit inside even a 4mm-wide regulatory window like the My Number spec.
Auto-generated L-size print sheet
Multiple photos optimally arranged on L-size paper with cut marks. Print directly at home or at a convenience store.
AI removes the background automatically
Walls or objects in the original shot are auto-removed; AI converts the photo to the plain background the spec requires.
AI skin smoothing with a natural finish
Auto-reduces blemishes and uneven tone while keeping a natural look. Choose between the original and the smoothed version.
Print at 55,000 convenience stores nationwide
Scan a QR code at the multi-copy machine in 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, Ministop, or Poplar — L-size prints from ¥30.
5-language support, no app required
Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese — works entirely in your smartphone browser without installing an app.
Frequently asked questions
Is the photo spec the same as the Certified Care Worker exam?
I heard that Round 39 (February 2027) will move to online-only application.
What are the 12 eligibility routes?
Is there a CBT version?
How is this different from the Care Manager (Kaigo Shien Senmoin)?
Related content
Create a Certified Social Worker exam photo for ¥200
AI auto-adjusts your smartphone shot to the 35×45mm spec. A QR code for convenience-store printing is emailed to you — print on glossy paper, paste onto the Exam Photo Confirmation Form, and mail it in.
Create now — ¥200