The Evolution of the Prompt Engineering Professional Certification
The Japan Prompt Engineering Association, represented by Shigeru Kuroyanagi, has announced an important update to the Prompt Engineering Professional certification (PEP) scheduled for September 18, 2025. This update aims to enhance the exam's difficulty and relevance to real-world applications, adding new chapters to reflect the latest trends in the rapidly evolving field of generative AI.
New Chapters Introduced
Among the most significant changes are the newly added topics of "AI Agents" and "Context Engineering." By incorporating these themes, candidates will now have the opportunity to systematically acquire critical knowledge essential for utilizing generative AI in the workplace. These updates are crucial in preparing the workforce for the growing relevance of AI technologies in business operations.
The Need for Practical Skills
With technologies like ChatGPT becoming integral to business processes focusing on efficiency and innovation, the importance of prompt engineering continues to rise. However, opportunities to learn practical skills—such as effective prompt design, leveraging AI agents, and generating context-appropriate instructions—are limited.
The quality of prompts significantly affects the accuracy of AI outputs and the success of automation efforts, directly impacting organizational competitiveness. As AI Agents become more prevalent and workflows become increasingly complex, engineering skills that consider context will be vital for success.
Ongoing Evolution of the PEP Certification
In light of these developments, the PEP certification is continuously adapting to update its content to align with technology trends and market needs. The upcoming changes include a scheduled exam transition date of September 20, 2025, at which point the updated curriculum will take effect, necessitating candidates to prepare with the new syllabus.
Key Updates
- - New Examination Date: From September 20, 2025, the new syllabus will be in effect. Candidates taking the exam on that date will be tested exclusively on this updated content.
- - Additional Learning Modules: The newly introduced topics “AI Agents” and “Context Engineering” aim to provide a comprehensive learning experience aligned with real-world applications in leveraging generative AI.
- - Expanded Question Range: The examination will now feature a total of 100 questions, including those from the newly added chapters.
Learning Resources Available
To assist candidates, the Japan Prompt Engineering Association has made all necessary study materials freely available. These resources can be accessed by anyone interested in preparing for the PEP certification. As AI technology and language models evolve, the content and study materials will also receive regular updates to remain relevant and effective.
Sample Examination Questions
As an illustration, here are some sample questions drawn from the newly added chapters. These questions are structured to assess both foundational knowledge and the application of concepts in everyday use:
- - Question 1: What is the key function of an AI Agent?
- a) Automates tasks
- b) Interacts with users
- c) Generates prompts
-
Answer: b
- - Question 2: Which factor is crucial for effective Context Engineering?
- a) User preference
- b) Predictive analytics
- c) Workflow complexity
-
Answer: a
Overview of the PEP Certification
- - Certification Name: Prompt Engineering Professional (PEP) Certification
- - Objective: To certify knowledge and skills essential for leveraging generative AI to improve business efficiency and promote digital transformation (DX).
- - Exam Format: Computer-Based Testing (CBT), available across 47 prefectures and over 340 testing centers nationwide.
Future Directions
The Japan Prompt Engineering Association is committed to enhancing productivity in Japan through innovative approaches powered by large language models (LLMs). By continuously updating the PEP certification with expert insights, the association aims to deliver educational and evaluative standards that align with the evolving landscape of AI technologies and prompt engineering methods.
For more information on the PEP certification and to access the syllabus and materials, visit the
Prompt Engineering Professional Certification Website.
For inquiries, please contact: Japan Prompt Engineering Association, Public Relations, Tanaka at
[email protected].