The nationally recognized calligraphy grading system is as follows: China calligraphy and painting grading examination sponsored by Beijing Education Examinations Institute and approved by the Ministry of Education; The calligraphy proficiency test sponsored by the Art Development Center of the Ministry of Culture is approved by the Ministry of Culture; The social calligraphy level examination sponsored by the Calligraphers Association must be approved by the Ministry of Culture.

China Painting and Calligraphy Grade Examination is a skill training and evaluation system for painting and calligraphy learners sponsored by the Examination Center of the Ministry of Education and undertaken by Beijing Education Examinations Institute.

The Art Development Center of the Ministry of Culture was formally established on 1996 with the approval of the Office of the Central Organizing Committee. It is a public institution directly under the Ministry of Culture and has independent legal personality.

At present, China Calligraphers Association has three major items: soft pen non-professional calligraphy examination, soft pen professional calligraphy examination and hard pen calligraphy examination.