Circular No. 12/2012/TT-BNV on job titles and changes to job titles for civil servants

CIRCULAR

Article 24defines the profession titles and changes in profession titles for civil servants., amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CPchanges in profession titles for civil servants.No.concerning civil servants.

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BASED ON THE Law on Public Officials dated November 15, 2010;June 2024;Decree No. 55/2012/NĐ-CP dated June 28, 2012 of the Government on the establishment, restructuring, and dissolution of public service units;

Pursuant to Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 12, 2012 of the Government on recruitment, utilization, and management of civil servants;June 2024;pursuant to Decision No. 4/2012 of the Office of the Government;"b) In addition to the lists of public services issued according to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 4 of this Decree, specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees shall report to the provincial People's Committee for decision-making on amending, supplementing, or issuing the list of public services funded by the state budget within their jurisdiction and consistent with the local budget capacity within the approved budget by the Provincial People's Assembly, and send it to the Ministry of Finance and relevant ministries and sectors for supervision during implementation."the Minister of Home Affairs issues this Circular.

Pursuant to DecreeNo. 61/2012/NĐ-CP dated August 10, 2012 of the"b) In addition to the lists of public services issued according to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 4 of this Decree, specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees shall report to the provincial People's Committee for decision-making on amending, supplementing, or issuing the list of public services funded by the state budget within their jurisdiction and consistent with the local budget capacity within the approved budget by the Provincial People's Assembly, and send it to the Ministry of Finance and relevant ministries and sectors for supervision during implementation."Theo đề nghị của Vụ trưởng Vụ Tín dụngof the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairsu t, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP function of the Ministry the Ministry of Home Affairs;

Circular on profession titles and changes in profession titles for civil servants.- Agencies under the Ministry of Industry and Trade; This Circular stipulates the procedures and formalities for establishing profession titles and changing profession titles for civil servants in public service units., amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CPchanges in profession titles for civil servants.No.concerning civil servants.,

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 2. Management content for profession titles

1. Profession titles are names reflecting the level of expertise and professional competence of civil servants in specific fields; they serve as a basis for implementing recruitment, utilization, and management of civil servants.

2. The Ministry of Home Affairs prescribes the list, code numbers, and classification of profession titles for civil servants.

3. The specialized civil servant management ministry (hereinafter referred to as the specialized civil servant management ministry) prescribes the professional standards for each profession title of civil servants within specific sectors and fields under its jurisdiction after reaching consensus with the Ministry of Home Affairs. The professional standards for each profession title of civil servants include a list of profession titles and specific criteria for each profession title, classified into levels from Class I to Class IV as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 3 of Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 12, 2012 of the Government on recruitment, utilization, and management of civil servants (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP).

Article 3. Organization of examination or evaluation for promotion of profession titles

1. The specialized civil servant management ministry specifies detailed criteria and conditions for registration to participate in examinations or evaluations for promotion of profession titles for civil servants after obtaining the agreement of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

2. The organization of examinations or evaluations for promotion of profession titles must be carried out according to the regulations of the Examination Regulations and Promotion Evaluation Regulations; Recruitment Examination Regulations, Examination Regulations, and Promotion Evaluation Regulations.

3. Based on the characteristics of professional activities and specific conditions of the unit, sector, or field of activity, agencies and units authorized to organize examinations or evaluations for promotion of profession titles decide on the form of examination or evaluation for promotion of profession titles for civil servants according to their authority as prescribed in Article 30 of Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP.

ESTABLISHING PROFESSION TITLES

Chapter II

Article 4. Procedures and formalities for establishing profession titles

1. The specialized civil servant management ministry, based on requirements, characteristics, and nature of professional activities, takes the lead and coordinates with relevant agencies to establish and issue the profession title standards for civil servants in sectors and fields under its management through the following steps:

a) Conducting surveys, assessments, and evaluations of the current status regarding the quantity, structure, and quality of the civil servant workforce in the sector or field; the current status of training systems according to profession title requirements; the system and standards of existing civil servant ranks;

b) Based on the results of the surveys, assessments, and evaluations of the current status of the civil servant workforce as stipulated in Point a of this Clause and strategic development directions for the managed sector or field, determine the necessity to establish new or amend and improve standards, propose a list and standards for profession titles of specialized civil servants and the classes of these titles;

c) Draft the profession title standards for specialized civil servants;

2. The Ministry of Home Affairs reaches consensus with the specialized civil servant management ministry on the draft profession title standards for specialized civil servants; assigns code numbers to each specific profession title.

3. The specialized civil servant management ministry incorporates and completes the draft based on the opinions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and issues the profession title standards for specialized civil servants according to its authority.

3. The specialized civil service management agency shall adopt, perfect on the basis of the opinions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and issue the Civil Service Occupational Standards for civil servants within its authority.

Article 5. General structure of occupational title standards

Each occupational title shall consist of the following:

1. Name and grade of the occupational title;

2. Duties: detailed and specific listing of tasks to be performed at a level of complexity appropriate to the grade of the occupational title;

3. Standards for professional ethics;

4. Standards for educational qualifications and training;

5. Standards for professional competence and vocational skills.

Chapter III

CHANGE OF OCCUPATIONAL TITLE

Article 6. Review for transfer to another occupational title

1. The examination for transferring from this job title to another job title of the same grade for civil servants must ensure the following conditions:

a) A civil servant is assigned to a new position requiring a different specialized occupational title at the same grade as the current occupational title;

b) The civil servant meets the criteria of the new occupational title.

2. The review process for transferring to another occupational title at the same grade for a civil servant shall be conducted as follows:

a) The head of a public service unit shall organize the examination of the certificates and training certificates of the civil servant; assess knowledge, professional expertise, and other requirements according to the occupational title standards corresponding to the new position through interviews or practical tests;

b) If the civil servant meets all the criteria of the occupational title corresponding to the new position, the head of the public service unit shall issue a decision on appointment within their authority or propose that the competent authority appoint the civil servant to the new occupational title.

3. When reviewing for transfer to another occupational title at the same grade without linking to an increase in salary grade for a civil servant.

Article 7. Development of plans for promotion examinations or reviews for upgrading occupational titles

1. Based on the proposed quota for upgrading occupational titles submitted by units in Form No. 1 issued together with this Circular, the agency authorized to organize examinations or reviews for upgrading occupational titles shall develop a plan to organize such examinations or reviews in accordance with the authority stipulated in Article 30 of Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP.

2. The agency authorized to organize examinations or reviews for upgrading occupational titles of civil servants shall submit the proposal and plan to the agencies specified in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 31 of Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP.

Article 8. Basis and responsibility for nominating civil servants to participate in examinations or reviews for upgrading occupational titles

1. Examinations or reviews for upgrading occupational titles of civil servants shall be based on:

a) The number of positions and the structure of civil servants by occupational title in public service units;

b) The needs of public service units;

c) The criteria and conditions of the occupational title registered for participation in examinations or reviews for upgrading.

2. The head of the agency or unit authorized to nominate civil servants for examinations or reviews for upgrading occupational titles shall be responsible for the criteria and conditions of the nominated civil servants.

3. Civil servants nominated to participate in examinations or reviews for upgrading occupational titles who do not meet the criteria and conditions or do not comply with the requirements of the position shall not be allowed to participate in the examination or review. If a civil servant uses illegal certificates or falsely declares information to meet the criteria and conditions for participating in examinations or reviews for upgrading occupational titles, upon discovery, they will be subject to disciplinary action and the examination or review results will be nullified. The agency authorized to organize examinations or reviews for upgrading occupational titles shall be responsible for nullifying the examination or review results.

Article 9. Standards and Conditions for Registering to Take the Examination or Being Considered for Promotion to a Higher Rank in Professional Title

A civil servant may register to take the examination or be considered for promotion to a higher rank in professional title if they meet all the following standards and conditions:

Point 1. Public service units have a need.

2. Performing well in their duties during the last three consecutive years of work; having professional ethics and morality; not being under disciplinary action or having been notified about the consideration of disciplinary action by the competent authority.

3. Having sufficient educational qualifications, training, and professional capacity corresponding to the higher rank within the same field or sector compared to the current held rank.

4. Meeting other requirements stipulated by the Ministry managing the specific civil service profession.

Article 10. Documents for Registering to Take the Examination or Being Considered for Promotion to a Higher Rank in Professional Title

1. The documents for registering to take the examination or being considered for promotion to a higher rank in professional title include:

a) Application form for registering to take the examination or being considered for promotion to a higher rank in professional title;

b) Brief curriculum vitae of the civil servant according to Model No. 2 issued together with this Circular, confirmed by the employing or managing authority;

c) Evaluation and assessment report from the head of the employing authority who does not hold a managerial position or from the head of the competent authority that appoints managerial civil servants;

d) Certified copies of diplomas and certificates required for the registered professional title;

đ) Other requirements according to the standards of the higher rank in professional title that the civil servant is applying for.

2. The retention and management of documents for registering to take the examination or being considered for promotion to a higher rank in professional title shall be carried out as follows:

a) For examinations or promotions from Rank II to Rank I, the documents of the civil servant nominated to participate in the examination or promotion shall be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for review, decision, and retention and management;

b) For examinations or promotions from Rank IV to Rank III and from Rank III to Rank II, the documents of the civil servant nominated to participate in the examination or promotion shall be retained and managed by the competent authority that nominates the civil servant to participate in the examination or promotion.

Article 11. Procedures, Formalities, and Authority for Nominating Civil Servants to Participate in Examinations or Being Considered for Promotion to a Higher Rank in Professional Title

1. Based on the guidelines for organizing examinations or considering promotions to a higher rank in professional title issued by the competent authority organizing such examinations or promotions, public service units shall compile a list and dossier of civil servants meeting all the standards and conditions and submit them to the competent authority nominating civil servants to participate in the examination or promotion along with a report on the job positions and professional title structure already approved by the competent authority; a report on the current quality status of the civil servant workforce of the unit.

2. The competent authority nominating civil servants to participate in the examination or promotion shall consolidate the proposals of public service units under its management, conduct preliminary selection, and nominate civil servants meeting the standards and conditions to participate in the examination or promotion according to regulations.

3. The document nominating civil servants to participate in the examination or promotion shall be sent to the competent authority organizing the examination or promotion along with a brief list of the civil servants participating in the examination or promotion according to Model No. 3 issued together with this Circular.

4. Authority to decide on civil servants participating in the examination or promotion to a higher rank in professional title:

a) The Ministry of Home Affairs shall review and decide on the list of civil servants participating in the examination or promotion from Rank II to Rank I.

b) The competent authority organizing the examination or promotion from Rank III to Rank II as stipulated in Point a Clause 2 Article 30 of Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP shall decide on the list of civil servants participating in the examination or promotion after obtaining the agreement of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

c) The head of the authority, unit organizing the examination or promotion of civil servants from Rank IV to Rank III shall decide on the list of civil servants meeting the standards and conditions to participate in the examination or promotion according to the delegation and classification of the Ministries, agencies at the level of ministries, government agencies, People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities.

Article 12. Organization of examinations or assessment for promotion to higher occupational titles

1. For examinations or assessments for promotion from Level II to Level I:

a) Based on the examination or assessment plan for promotion to higher occupational titles approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the specialized civil servant management agency shall compile a list of civil servants nominated to participate in the examination or assessment according to Model No. 3 issued together with this Circular and submit a written document to the Ministry of Home Affairs to decide on the list of civil servants meeting the criteria and conditions for participating in the examination or assessment for promotion to higher occupational titles.

b) The Ministry of Home Affairs shall establish an Examination Board or Assessment Board for the specialized civil servant management agency to organize the examination according to regulations. After completion, the results of the examination or assessment for promotion to higher occupational titles shall be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs for recognition of the results.

2. For examinations or assessments for promotion from Level III to Level II:

a) Based on the examination or assessment plan for promotion to higher occupational titles approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the competent authority organizing the examination or assessment as stipulated in Point a Clause 2 Article 30 of Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP shall establish an Examination Board or Assessment Board; decide on the list of civil servants participating in the examination or assessment for promotion to higher occupational titles after obtaining the unified opinion of the Ministry of Home Affairs according to Model No. 3 issued together with this Circular and organize its implementation.

b) The Ministry of Home Affairs shall conduct inspection and supervision over the process of organizing examinations or assessments for promotion to higher occupational titles of civil servants.

3. For examinations or assessments for promotion from Level IV to Level III, based on the classification regulations of the competent authorities organizing examinations or assessments for promotion from Level IV to Level III as stipulated in Clause 3 Article 30 of Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP, the head of the competent authority shall establish an Examination Board or Assessment Board for civil servants; decide on the list of civil servants participating in the examination or assessment for promotion to higher occupational titles after obtaining the unified opinion of the Personnel Department (or Bureau) under the Ministries, agencies at the level of ministries, or provincial Departments of Home Affairs under the central government. After completion, report the results to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the civil servant management agency for overall monitoring and consolidation.

4. The organization of examinations or assessments for promotion to higher occupational titles for civil servants of public service units under the Party organizations, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and political-social organizations shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law and the classification regulations of the competent authority of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Article 13. Examination Board or Assessment Board for Promotion to Higher Occupational Titles

1. The Examination Board or Assessment Board for Promotion to Higher Occupational Titles shall be established by the head of the competent authority as stipulated in Clause 3 Article 31 of Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP. The Board shall have 5 or 7 members, including the Chairman of the Board and Board members, among whom there shall be 1 member兼任秘书的委员。

2. The Examination Board or Assessment Board for Promotion to Higher Occupational Titles shall operate based on the principle of collective decision-making, majority voting, and perform the tasks and powers prescribed in Clause 4 Article 31 of Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP。

3. The Examination Board or Assessment Board for Promotion to Higher Occupational Titles may use the seal and account of the competent authority organizing the examination or assessment for promotion to higher occupational titles during the period of performing the tasks and powers of the Board as prescribed in Clause 4 Article 31 of Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP。

4. The Board has the responsibility to organize examinations or assessments according to the Regulations on Organizing Examinations for Promotion or Regulations on Assessments for Promotion to Higher Occupational Titles of Civil Servants。

Article 14. Determination of Successful Candidates in Promotion Examinations or Assessments for Professional Titles

1. A successful candidate in a promotion examination for a professional title must take all examination subjects except those exempted according to regulations; each subject score must be 55 points or higher, with scores based on a 100-point scale.

2. The determination of successful candidates in promotion assessments for professional titles shall be carried out in accordance with the Regulations on Promotion of Professional Titles.

3. Candidates who fail to meet the criteria for success in promotion examinations or assessments for professional titles as stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article shall not have their results retained for subsequent examinations or assessments.

Article 15. Appointment and Salary Classification for Successful Candidates in Promotion Examinations or Assessments for Professional Titles

1. Based on the announcement of the competent authority organizing the examination or assessment for promotion of professional titles, the appointment to a professional title for successful candidates in such examinations or assessments shall be implemented as follows:

a) For examinations or assessments for promotion from Grade II to Grade I, based on the decision recognizing the results and the proposal of the competent authority managing civil servants, the Ministry of Home Affairs decides to appoint the professional title of Grade I civil servant for successful candidates.

b) For examinations or assessments for promotion from Grade III to Grade II, based on the decision recognizing the results and the proposal of the competent authority managing civil servants, the Minister, Head of a ministry-level agency, or the Chairman of the People's Committee of a centrally governed city or province decides to appoint the professional title of Grade II civil servant for successful candidates. Subsequently, report the results using Form No. 4 issued together with this Circular to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the competent authority organizing the examination or assessment for promotion of professional titles for general monitoring.

c) Based on the hierarchical division regulations of the competent authorities organizing examinations or assessments for promotion from Grade IV to Grade III as stipulated in Clause 3 of Article 30 of Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP, the head of the competent authority organizing the examination or assessment decides or delegates the decision to appoint the professional title of Grade III civil servant for successful candidates and reports the results using Form No. 4 issued together with this Circular to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the competent authority organizing the examination or assessment for promotion of professional titles for general monitoring.

2. The salary classification for civil servants appointed to a professional title after successfully passing the examination or assessment for promotion of professional titles shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions and guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 16. Implementation Organization

1. Ministries managing specialized civil servants are responsible for:

a) Organizing the development of the Standard for Professional Titles of specialized civil servants to be issued in accordance with this Circular;

b) Specifying detailed standards, conditions, and content and form of examinations or assessments, issuing Regulations on Promotion of Professional Titles for civil servants under the specialized field or sector they manage after obtaining the consensus of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

2. Ministries, ministry-level agencies, government agencies, and People's Committees of centrally governed cities and provinces shall implement the identification of job positions and construction of the structure of professional titles in public service units under their management as a basis for implementing examinations or assessments for promotion of professional titles for civil servants.

Article 17. Effective Date

Article 4. This Circular takes effect from February 15, 2013.

2. The following consolidated documents are abolished:

a) Circular No. 10/2004/TT-BNV dated February 19, 2004, of the Ministry of Home Affairs guiding the implementation of certain provisions of Decree No. 116/2003/NĐ-CP dated October 10, 2003, of the Government on recruitment, utilization, and management of cadres and civil servants in state-owned public service units (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 116/2003/NĐ-CP);

b) Circular No. 04/2007/TT-BNV dated June 21, 2007, of the Ministry of Home Affairs guiding the implementation of certain provisions of Decree No. 116/2003/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 121/2006/NĐ-CP dated October 23, 2006, of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 116/2003/NĐ-CP;

3. Abolish the provisions applicable to civil servants in the following documents:

a) Decision No. 10/2006/QĐ-BNV dated October 5, 2006, of the Minister of Home Affairs on the issuance of the Regulations on the Organization of Recruitment and Rank Advancement Examinations for Officials and Public Servants;

b) Decision No. 12/2006/QĐ-BNV dated October 5, 2006, of the Minister of Home Affairs on the issuance of the Examination Rules for Recruitment and Rank Advancement Examinations for Officials and Public Servants.

Article 18. Responsibility for Implementation

Ministers, Heads of ministry-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, Chairmen of the People's Committees of centrally governed cities and provinces, and related agencies, organizations, and individuals are responsible for enforcing this Circular./.