Do I need to pass the civil service examination to enter the Food and Drug Administration?

To enter the Food and Drug Administration, the specific process depends on the establishment you are applying for. If you pursue administrative establishment, i.e. civil service positions, you will need to qualify by passing the Civil Service Examination. This exam is designed to select people with a public service background. A master's degree in pharmacy may increase your competitive advantage. For administrative staff who already work in other administrative agencies, if they want to transfer to the Food and Drug Administration, they can usually do so through internal transfer without taking the civil service examination.

For positions with labor staff establishment, the recruitment process will be carried out in accordance with the relevant examinations for recruiting labor staff. The public institutions affiliated to the Food and Drug Administration will also recruit staff through the public institution's recruitment examination. The State Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), as a food safety regulatory agency directly under the State Council, is responsible for drafting and supervising the implementation of relevant laws and regulations, including the supervision of drugs, medical devices, cosmetics and food, as well as the investigation and punishment of major violations.

In 2013, the State Food and Drug Administration was renamed the State Food and Drug Administration, marking a more centralized power of food safety supervision and ending the past multi-management model. Therefore, if you want to work in the Food and Drug Administration, it is crucial to ensure that you understand and meet the appropriate recruitment conditions and procedures.