Circular No. 17/2018/TT-BKHCN stipulates standards, conditions, contents, and forms of examination for promotion to higher ranks in scientific and technological vocational positions.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on standards, conditions, content, form of examination and promotion to higher ranks for professional titles of science and technology civil servants

occupational title of science and technology professionals

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Pursuant to the Civil Servant Law dated November 15, 2010;

Pursuant to the Law on Science and Technology dated June 18, 2013;

Pursuant to Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 12, 2012 of the Government on recruitment, utilization, and management of civil servants;

On the basis of Decree No. 95/2017/NĐ-CP dated August 16, 2017 of the Government on functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

The phrase "or examination" is abolished pursuant to Clause 6, Article 8 of Circular No. 15/2025/TT-BVHTTDL dated November 25, 2025, of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism amending and supplementing certain articles of Circulars prescribing job codes, qualification standards, and salary grades for civil servants in the heritage culture, library, grassroots cultural activities, sports, fine arts, art performance, film, and cultural propaganda sectors, which takes effect from January 15, 2026.

The Minister of Science and Technology issues this Circular stipulating standards, conditions, content, form, and procedures for promotion to higher ranks for professional titles of science and technology civil servants.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. This Circular stipulates standards, conditions, content, and form of examinations for promotion from rank III to rank II, from rank II to rank I, and procedures for promotion from rank IV to rank III for science and technology civil servants at public service units.

2. This Circular does not regulate special promotions as provided for in Decree No. 40/2014/NĐ-CP dated February 12, 2014 of the Government on the utilization and recognition of individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to science and technology civil servants at public service units participating in examinations for promotion from rank III to rank II, from rank II to rank I, and procedures for promotion from rank IV to rank III, as well as related organizations and individuals.

Chapter II

PROMOTION TO HIGHER RANKS FOR PROFESSIONAL TITLES OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CIVIL SERVANTS

 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SPECIALTY

Article 3. Standards and Conditions for Participation in Promotion Examinations

The nomination of civil servants to participate in promotion examinations must be based on job positions, professional title structures, and the needs of public service units. Civil servants nominated to participate in promotion examinations from rank III to rank II (senior research associate, code V.05.01.02 or senior engineer, code V.05.02.06), and from rank II to rank I (principal research associate, code V.05.01.01 or principal engineer, code V.05.02.05) must meet the following standards and conditions:

1. Public service units have a need and are authorized to nominate them for the examination.

2. They are currently holding the professional title of science and technology civil servant rank III (research associate, code V.05.01.03 or engineer, code V.05.02.07) for those applying for promotion to rank II (senior research associate, code V.05.01.02 or senior engineer, code V.05.02.06).

They are currently holding the professional title of science and technology civil servant rank II (senior research associate, code V.05.01.02 or senior engineer, code V.05.02.06) for those applying for promotion to rank I (principal research associate, code V.05.01.01 or principal engineer, code V.05.02.05).

3. They are rated and classified as having satisfactorily completed their duties or better in the most recent year preceding the submission of the application for the examination; they possess good professional ethics and conduct; and they are not under disciplinary action or have been notified about pending disciplinary proceedings according to the law.

4. They meet the standards for the professional title they are applying for as stipulated in Joint Circular No. 24/2014/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV dated October 1, 2014 of the Ministers of Science and Technology and Home Affairs on the codes and standards for professional titles of science and technology civil servants (hereinafter referred to as Joint Circular No. 24/2014/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV).

Article 4. Content and form of the examination for promotion from Level II to Level I in the profession of science and technology officials

1. General knowledge subject:

a) Examination content: Testing the official's knowledge and understanding of the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws on economy - society, science and technology; trends in the development of science and technology consistent with the standards of the Level I profession of science and technology officials (60% of the examination content) and knowledge of civil servant laws (40% of the examination content);

b) Examination form: Written examination (essay);

c) Examination time: 180 minutes.

2. Professional knowledge and skills subject:

a) Examination content: Assessing the official's level, capacity, and skills in proposing, building, and leading the implementation of scientific and technological tasks set forth in practice, in accordance with the standards of professional level, capacity, and skills of the Level I profession of science and technology officials;

b) Examination form: Written explanation of scientific and technological tasks (projects, programs, or projects) and defense of the explanation;

Requirements for the explanation of scientific and technological tasks: Meeting the criteria of national-level scientific and technological tasks, not overlapping with tasks that have been or are being implemented.

c) Examination time: Writing the explanation of scientific and technological tasks: 8 hours; defending the explanation of the task: Maximum 30 minutes per candidate.

3. Foreign language subject:

a) Examination content: Testing reading comprehension, writing, listening, and speaking (question-and-answer) skills at the foreign language level 4 (equivalent to B2 level of the European Framework) as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014, issued by the Minister of Education and Training on the six-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT). Officials register to take the examination in one of the following languages: English, French, Russian, German, Chinese;

b) Examination form: Four skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing);

c) Examination time: Reading and writing: 90 minutes; question-and-answer (listening and speaking): 15 minutes.

4. Information technology subject:

a) Examination content: Testing information technology proficiency at the basic level of computer skills usage as stipulated in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014, issued by the Minister of Information and Communications on the standards for information technology skills usage (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT);

b) Examination form: Multiple choice or practical computer-based test;

c) Examination time: 45 minutes.

Article 5. Content and form of the examination for promotion from Level III to Level II in the profession of science and technology officials

1. General knowledge subject:

a) Examination content: Testing the official's knowledge and understanding of the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws on economy - society, science and technology; trends in the development of science and technology consistent with the standards of the Level II profession of science and technology officials (60% of the examination content) and knowledge of civil servant laws (40% of the examination content);

b) Examination form: Multiple choice;

c) Examination time: 45 minutes.

2. Professional knowledge and skills subject:

a) Examination content: Assessing the official's level, capacity, and skills in researching, implementing, and proposing solutions to address scientific and technological tasks set forth in practice, in accordance with the standards of professional level, capacity, and skills of the Level II profession of science and technology officials;

b) Examination form: Written examination (essay);

c) Examination time: 180 minutes.

3. Foreign language subject:

a) Examination content: Testing reading comprehension and writing skills at the foreign language level 3 (equivalent to B1 level of the European Framework) as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT. Officials register to take the examination in one of the following languages: English, French, Russian, German, Chinese;

b) Examination form: Written examination;

c) Examination time: 90 minutes.

4. Information technology subject:

a) Examination content: Testing information technology proficiency at the basic level of computer skills usage as stipulated in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT;

b) Examination form: Multiple choice or practical computer-based test;

c) Examination time: 45 minutes.

Article 6. Conditions for Exemption from Foreign Language and Information Technology Subjects

1. Exemption from the foreign language subject for officials who meet one of the following conditions:

a) Officials who have a bachelor's or postgraduate degree obtained abroad or a bachelor's or postgraduate degree completed in a foreign language in Vietnam;

b) Officials who hold a second bachelor's degree in a foreign language (in cases where the official only has a bachelor's degree in a foreign language specialty, they are not exempted and must register to take another foreign language exam).

2. Conditions for exemption from the information technology subject:

Exemption from the information technology subject for those holding a diploma from a specialized secondary level or higher in information technology, computer science, or mathematics - computer science.

Article 7. Application Documents for Registration to Take Promotion Examination

The application documents for registration to take the promotion examination for occupational titles are stipulated in Article 10 of Circular No. 12/2012/TT-BNV dated December 18, 2012, issued by the Minister of Home Affairs on occupational titles and changes in occupational titles for officials (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 12/2012/TT-BNV).

Chapter III

CONSIDERATION FOR PROMOTION OF OFFICIALS' OCCUPATIONAL TITLES

 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SPECIALTY

FROM LEVEL IV TO LEVEL III

Article 8. Criteria and Conditions for Participation in Promotion Consideration

The consideration for promotion of officials' occupational titles must be based on job positions, occupational title structures, and the needs of public service units. An official can participate in the promotion consideration for the occupational title of researcher (Level III, code: V.05.01.03) from assistant researcher (Level IV, code: V.05.01.04) or engineer (Level III, code: V.05.02.07) from technical officer (Level IV, code: V.05.02.08) in the field of science and technology when meeting the following criteria and conditions:

1. The public service unit has a need and is proposed for promotion consideration by the competent authority.

2. Currently holds the occupational title of assistant researcher (Level IV, code: V.05.01.04) for officials registering for the promotion consideration of the occupational title of researcher (Level III, code: V.05.01.03).

Currently holds the occupational title of technical officer (Level IV, code: V.05.02.08) for officials registering for the promotion consideration of the occupational title of engineer (Level III, code: V.05.02.07).

3. Evaluated and classified by the competent authority as having satisfactorily performed their duties or better in one year of work immediately preceding the year of submitting the application for promotion consideration; possessing good professional ethics and conduct; not currently under disciplinary action or having been notified about potential disciplinary measures according to the law.

4. Meeting the criteria for the occupational title of researcher (Level III) or engineer (Level III) as stipulated in Joint Circular No. 24/2014/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV.

Article 9. Content and Form of Promotion Consideration for Occupational Titles of Officials in the Field of Science and Technology from Level IV to Level III

1. Content of consideration: Review and assess the fulfillment of requirements for performing tasks, educational qualifications, training standards, professional competence, and vocational skills for the occupational title of researcher (Level III) or engineer (Level III) in the field of science and technology.

2. Form of consideration: Assessment of the application documents for promotion consideration according to the standards for the occupational title of researcher (Level III) or engineer (Level III) in the field of science and technology.

Article 10. Application Documents for Registration for Promotion Consideration

The application documents for registration for promotion consideration of occupational titles are stipulated in Article 10 of Circular No. 12/2012/TT-BNV.

Article 11. Organization for Promotion Review

1. The promotion review from Level IV to Level III for the occupational title of scientific and technological professionals shall be conducted through the Promotion Review Board for the occupational title of scientific and technological professionals from Level IV to Level III.

2. The Promotion Review Board for the occupational title of scientific and technological professionals from Level IV to Level III shall organize the promotion review in accordance with the Promotion Regulation for the occupational title of scientific and technological professionals from Level IV to Level III stipulated in the Appendix attached to this Circular.

Chapter IV

ORGANIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

Article 12. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from January 25, 2019.

Article 13. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Minister, Head of a ministry-level agency, Head of an agency under the Government, Chairman of the People's Committee of provinces and centrally governed cities, and Heads of public service units shall, based on the conditions and criteria specified in this Circular and related regulations, appoint candidates for the examination and promotion review of occupational titles within their assigned authority, and bear responsibility for the conditions and criteria of the participants in the examination and promotion review of occupational titles.

2. The Minister, Head of a ministry-level agency, Head of an agency under the Government, and Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall, within their assigned authority, organize examinations and promotion reviews for the occupational titles of scientific and technological professionals in accordance with the provisions of the law.

3. In case of difficulties during implementation, they are requested to report to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consideration and resolution./.