There is provided by the present invention a process for preparing a copper-based catalyst having good catalytic activity, markedly excellent durability and good reproducibility. The process for preparing a copper-based catalyst of the invention is a process for preparing a catalyst composed of metal oxides containing copper oxide as an essential component and is characterized by comprising the following steps: (1) a step of bringing an acidic metal salt solution containing copper and a precipitant solution into contact with each other to obtain a slurry solution containing a precipitate of a catalyst precursor, and (2) a step of continuously bringing the slurry solution and a wash liquid into contact with each other to wash the precipitate, with substantially keeping the suspended state.