PURPOSE: To provide a method for producing a hydrogenation catalyst for hydrocarbon oil processing having an outstandingly higher catalytic activity than any catalyst which has hitherto been proposed and permitting reduction of the hydrocarbon operating cost.

CONSTITUTION: As a base medium is used a catalyst supported on its carrier as an activated metal the group VI metal (Mo or W) and the group VIII metal (Co or Ni) in the periodic table or the catalyst containing phosphorus in addition thereto. To this catalyst are added at least one kind of glycolic acid, tartaric acid and the other specific carboxylic acids in an amt. of 0.3-3.5 times the total mols of the activated metals and mercaptoacetic acid, mercaptosuccinic acid or other specific org. sulfur compound in an amt. of at least 0.1 time the amt. required to change the activated metal into the sulfide form. The catalyst is thereafter dried at a temp. not higher than 200°C to produce a hydrogenation catalyst. This permits an extremely easy production of the hydrogenation catalyst which can perform a high degree of the hydrogenation capable of desulfurization and denitrification of hydrocarbon oil under a milder operating condition than in the conventional operation.