Abstract: Seismological monitoring institutions in prefectural-level cities are the backbones to conduct earthquake preparedness and disaster reduction. With the development of monitoring and prediction abilities, it is an urgent work to improve the professional competency of seismological monitoring institutions in these cities. Combing social function, responsibility and task, personnel and job structure, this article defined the position of seismological monitoring institutions in prefectural-level city, pointed the significant meaning of improving its capacity. On this basis, the article analyzed the basic requirement of competence and current situation of seismological monitoring institutions in prefectural-level city. It also proposed the fundamental approaches and measures to improve the technical capacity.