In this paper, the characteristics of some trace elements and rare earth elements (REEs) in oil shales were examined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). It was noted that the content of most trace elements under study ranged from 1 to 50 mu g/g. Trace elements with a content < 1 mu g/g and > 50 mu g were also determined. Elements whose abundance in the Earth's crust is high have a high content in oil shale as well. Rare earth elements in oil shale are closely connected with terrigenous clastic rocks, whose supplies of land-derived matters have been relatively stable. Additionally, it was indicated that the fractional degree of high rare earth elements (HREEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs) in oil shale was remarkable, and the diagenetic environment of oil shale samples was similar.