《應急救援員職業(yè)資格管理辦法（試行）》解讀
Source: Yongkang Zhongyi Manufacture & Trade Co., Ltd.Publication time：2026-06-01
To standardize the administration of vocational qualifications for emergency rescuers, improve their professional competence, proficiency and overall quality, and ensure the scientific and orderly conduct of emergency rescue work, the Ministry of Emergency Management and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security have jointly issued the Measures for the Administration of Vocational Qualifications for Emergency Rescuers (Trial) (hereinafter referred to as the Measures), which shall take effect on September 1, 2026. To help all regions fully understand and implement the document, the relevant interpretation is presented as follows:
I. Background for the Issuance of the Measures
(1) What is an Emergency Rescuer?
The occupation of emergency rescuer originated from "emergency responder" established by the former Ministry of Labour and Social Security in 2005. In 2015, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security released the Occupational Classification Catalogue of the People's Republic of China (2015 Edition), which renamed the original "emergency responder" to "emergency rescuer". In accordance with the Circular on Issuing Occupational Information Such as Inspection, Testing and Management Engineering Personnel (MOHRSS General Office Document No. 〔2025〕26) issued by the General Office of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the General Office of the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Office of the National Bureau of Statistics, an emergency rescuer as defined in the Measures refers to skilled personnel engaged in rescuing victims affected by natural disasters and work safety accidents, salvaging public and private property, handling emergencies and conducting post-rescue follow-up work.
(2) Why is the Measures formulated?
Answer: The formulation of the Measures is based on three main considerations. First, it is a key initiative to implement the Emergency Response Law of the People's Republic of China. Paragraph 2 of Article 40 of the Emergency Response Law of the People's Republic of China revised in 2024 stipulates that professional emergency rescuers shall meet corresponding physical, professional skill and psychological requirements and obtain the state-specified vocational qualifications for emergency rescue. Detailed rules shall be formulated by the emergency management department of the State Council in conjunction with relevant competent departments. The issuance of the Measures translates legal provisions into specific management measures and operational norms. Second, it meets the mandatory requirements for the administration of admission-based vocational qualifications. The revised Emergency Response Law of the People's Republic of China provides a legal basis for reclassifying the vocational qualification of emergency rescuers from proficiency evaluation-based to admission-based. This vocational qualification falls under administrative licensing, so the implementing bodies, procedures, supervision and inspection mechanisms have been adjusted in compliance with the Administrative License Law of the People's Republic of China, providing institutional support for the full-process standardized management of the vocational qualification. Third, it addresses the practical need to regulate the administration of such vocational qualifications. Emergency rescue work is closely related to people's lives, featuring complex working environments and high risks. Practitioners must possess professional knowledge and skills to carry out rescue operations effectively. Standardized administration ensures that professional emergency rescuers are equipped with necessary expertise and operational capabilities, and offers a solid institutional guarantee for the development of emergency rescue teams.
II. Main Contents of the Measures
(1) What changes will be made to the administration of vocational qualifications for emergency rescuers after the implementation of the Measures?
Answer: There are three major changes. First, revised qualification requirements. After the vocational qualification of emergency rescuers is legally reclassified as an admission-based qualification, personnel required to hold the qualification must obtain the Vocational Qualification Certificate for Emergency Rescuers as specified in the Measures. Second, adjusted implementing bodies. Previously, the assessment, appraisal and certificate issuance were undertaken by the Emergency Rescue Promotion Center of the Ministry of Emergency Management. After the implementation of the Measures, provincial emergency management departments will take charge of the specific work under the guidance and supervision of the Ministry of Emergency Management. Third, updated application procedures. In line with administrative licensing requirements, candidates who pass the vocational skill assessment and appraisal shall submit certificate applications via the Comprehensive Management Platform for Vocational Skill Appraisal of Emergency Rescuers within one year. Certificates will be issued after review and approval by provincial emergency management departments.
(2) Who are required to obtain the Vocational Qualification Certificate for Emergency Rescuers?
Answer: As stipulated in Paragraph 2 of Article 40 of the Emergency Response Law of the People's Republic of China, professional emergency rescuers shall obtain the state-specified vocational qualifications for emergency rescue. The Measures clarifies that skilled personnel engaged in the following jobs within professional emergency rescue teams set up by emergency management departments at or above the county level must hold the certificate: building collapse (mountain) rescue, hazardous chemical rescue, mine (tunnel) rescue, water rescue, helicopter rescue, engineering rescue and emergency first aid. Other eligible personnel may voluntarily participate in the assessment and appraisal to obtain the certificate.
Professional emergency rescue teams established by emergency management departments at or above the county level refer to teams founded, jointly established via agreements or operated through government procurement services by emergency management departments at and above the county level.
(3) What are the application conditions and required documents for vocational skill assessment and appraisal for emergency rescuers?
Answer: Applicants shall meet the following conditions: first, be at least 18 years of age; second, be free from organic heart disease, epilepsy, Meniere's disease, dizziness, hysteria, parkinsonism, mental illness, dementia, physical defects and other conditions that may hinder emergency rescue work; third, hold a senior high school diploma or above; fourth, comply with other requirements specified in the National Occupational Standards for Emergency Rescuers.
Applicants shall submit the following documents: identity certificate, academic credential, personal health commitment letter and other materials as required by the National Occupational Standards for Emergency Rescuers.
(4) Why is the certificate valid for six years and what to do when it expires?
Answer: Emergency rescue work is high-risk, highly professional and accompanied by rapid technological updates. To verify that certificate holders continuously satisfy the requirements of "corresponding physical conditions, professional skills and psychological quality" set forth in the Emergency Response Law of the People's Republic of China, the certificate is granted a six-year validity period with reference to the management practices for personnel engaged in special operations.
In accordance with administrative licensing rules, certificate holders shall submit a renewal application via the Comprehensive Management Platform for Vocational Skill Appraisal of Emergency Rescuers no later than 30 working days prior to the certificate expiry date. Application materials include the renewal review form, personal health commitment letter, as well as work records and performance documents during the validity period of the certificate. Upon approval, the validity period will be extended for another six years. Certificates will become invalid if no renewal application is submitted within the specified period or the application fails the review.
(5) Will paper certificates still be issued after the launch of electronic vocational qualification certificates for emergency rescuers?
Answer: To implement the requirements of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on optimizing the issuance of vocational qualification certificates for skilled personnel and improving efficiency, the Measures clearly promotes the use of electronic vocational qualification certificates for emergency rescuers. Provincial emergency management departments may decide independently whether to issue physical certificates. Electronic certificates and physical certificates have equal legal effect.
(6) What training requirements are specified in the Measures?
Answer: First, training participation is voluntary and shall not be made a precondition for assessment, make-up examinations, certificate application or renewal. Second, emergency rescuers are encouraged to participate in on-the-job continuing education voluntarily to improve their professional knowledge and rescue skills. Third, the principle of separation between examination and training is implemented. Personnel and institutions involved in assessment and appraisal work (including proposition, examination review and organization) are prohibited from organizing or providing training related to assessment contents in any form.
(7) Are fees charged for vocational skill assessment, make-up examinations, certificate application and renewal?
Answer: Fees shall be collected for vocational skill assessment and make-up examinations in accordance with the Provisions on Vocational Skill Appraisal and relevant regulations. No fees are charged for certificate application and renewal.
(8) What user-friendly measures are included in the Measures?
Answer: The Measures adheres to the principle of high efficiency and convenience for the public. Specific measures are as follows: First, information-based services are provided. The Comprehensive Management Platform for Vocational Skill Appraisal of Emergency Rescuers supports releasing appraisal plans, accepting applications, verifying information, issuing certificates and approving renewal applications, realizing one-stop online service to reduce in-person procedures. Second, the personal commitment system is adopted to simplify application materials for assessment and certificate renewal and lighten the burden on applicants. Third, applicants may complete assessment, certificate application and renewal review at their registered permanent residence, current residence or workplace for greater convenience.
III. Implementation Measures for the Measures
(1) Plans for promoting the implementation of the Measures after its issuance
Answer: First, intensify publicity and interpretation work to help local emergency management departments, practitioners and the general public accurately understand the new requirements of the Measures. Second, strengthen supervision and guidance to urge provincial emergency management departments and appraisal institutions to fully enforce the provisions, standardize assessment, appraisal and certificate issuance, strictly implement the separation of examination and training, and further improve service quality and efficiency. Third, ensure policy alignment by completing the compilation of supporting documents such as relevant standards and norms and upgrading the functions of the online platform in accordance with procedures, so as to guarantee the steady and orderly operation of vocational skill assessment and appraisal.
(2) Can holders of previously obtained relevant certificates directly apply for the new Vocational Qualification Certificate for Emergency Rescuers after the implementation of the Measures?
Answer: Holders of existing vocational qualification certificates for emergency rescuers shall apply to the provincial emergency management department at their registered permanent residence, current residence or workplace for new certificates of the corresponding grade and job category within three years from the effective date of the Measures.
Holders of the former emergency responder vocational qualification certificates may directly apply for the new Level 5 Vocational Qualification Certificate for Emergency Rescuers within three years after the Measures takes effect. Given the substantial differences in assessment contents between Level 4 and above emergency rescuer qualifications and the original emergency responder qualification, applicants for Level 4 and above qualifications shall take the assessment and appraisal again.
(3) The vocational skill assessment and appraisal for emergency rescuers was suspended earlier this year. When will it resume?
Answer: To ensure a smooth transition before and after the issuance of the Measures, the vocational skill assessment and appraisal for emergency rescuers has been suspended since January 1, 2026. In accordance with the Measures, provincial emergency management departments will be responsible for the assessment, appraisal and certificate issuance. Relevant preparatory work is underway across provincial regions, and the assessment and appraisal will resume upon the official implementation of the Measures.