Abstract: Disclosed are an inspection system and method through which the actual operation of an image processing apparatus can be dealt with satisfactorily, and in which the image processing apparatus can be inspected in a short period of time. A work station sends part of a control program, which has been stored in a hard disk, to an interface. In accordance with the control program, the interface sets the operating mode and an inspection image processing area of an item under inspection and requests the work station for test image data to be inputted to the item under inspection. From plural items of image data that have been stored in the hard disk, the work station loads image data requested by the interface, as well as reference data corresponding to this image data, to the interface and a reference-data memory. The interface inputs this test image data to the item under inspection and sends image data, which has been outputted by the item under inspection, to the work station.