NOC Code Canada Explained: How to Find Yours (2026)

What Is a NOC Code?

NOC stands for National Occupational Classification. It is Canada's national system for describing and classifying occupations. Every job in Canada has a corresponding NOC code — a 5-digit number that identifies the type of work, the skill level involved, and the sector it belongs to.

For immigration purposes, your NOC code tells IRCC what kind of work you do. This determines whether your experience counts toward Express Entry eligibility, how many CRS points you earn for that experience, and which immigration pathways you may qualify for.

The current version used by IRCC is NOC 2021, introduced in November 2022. It replaced the older NOC 2016 system and introduced a new skill level classification called TEER.

What Are TEER Levels? (The New Skill Classification)

TEER stands for Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities. Under the NOC 2021 system, every occupation is assigned a TEER level from 0 to 5. The TEER level reflects how much training, education, and experience the job typically requires.

For Express Entry (FSW, CEC, FST) and most PNP streams, your work experience must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation to count. TEER 4 and 5 work does not meet the skilled work experience requirement, regardless of how many years you have done it.

The NOC 5-Digit Code Structure

Under NOC 2021, each code has 5 digits:

• ✔ The first digit is the broad occupational category (e.g., 1 = Business, finance, and administration; 2 = Natural and applied sciences; 3 = Health)
• ✔ The second digit is the TEER level (0–5)
• ✔ The remaining three digits identify the specific occupational group and occupation

Example: NOC 21232 — Software developers and programmers. First digit 2 = Natural and applied sciences. Second digit 1 = TEER 1 (university degree required). ✔ Qualifies for Express Entry.

Example: NOC 65200 — Retail salespersons. First digit 6 = Sales and service. Second digit 5 = TEER 5. ✘ Does not qualify for Express Entry.

Why Your NOC Code Matters for Immigration

• ✔ Express Entry eligibility: You must have at least 1 year of experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation to qualify for FSW or CEC
• ✔ CRS score: The number of years of experience in your NOC determines your CRS points for work experience
• ✔ Category-based draws: Healthcare, STEM, trades, and agriculture draws are based on specific NOC codes — whether your code is on the eligible list determines if you qualify
• ✔ PNP eligibility: Most provincial programs require your occupation to match specific NOC codes that the province has identified as in-demand
• ✔ Job offer bonus CRS points: A valid job offer earns 50–200 additional CRS points, but only if the offer is in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
• ✔ PGWP to CEC pathway: Work done on your PGWP only counts toward CEC eligibility if it is in a TEER 0–3 occupation

How to Find Your NOC Code — Step by Step

Step 1 — Go to the Official NOC Database

Visit IRCC's NOC finder tool or the NOC search tool on Canada's official site.

Step 2 — Search by Job Title

Type your job title into the search box. Do not just look at the title — read the full occupational description to confirm your duties match.

Step 3 — Read the Job Duties Description Carefully

This is the most important step. Two jobs with similar titles can have very different NOC codes if the duties differ. IRCC officers look at your actual duties — not just your title. The NOC database lists the main duties for each code. Your actual day-to-day responsibilities should align with the majority of the listed duties.

Step 4 — Confirm the TEER Level

Once you have found a matching code, confirm the TEER level. Remember: only TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 count for Express Entry and most PNP streams.

Step 5 — Check Your Reference Letters Match

When you submit your Express Entry profile or PR application, IRCC will ask for reference letters (from employers) that describe your job duties. These duties must align with the NOC code you selected. Mismatched reference letters are a common reason for Express Entry misrepresentation findings.

Common NOC Code Mistakes to Avoid

• ✘ Choosing a code based only on job title — always verify the listed duties match your actual work
• ✘ Using an old NOC 2016 code — IRCC now uses NOC 2021. Old codes may have changed numbers or been reclassified
• ✘ Selecting a higher TEER code to qualify when duties don't match — this can be treated as misrepresentation, which is a serious immigration offence
• ✘ Not getting a proper reference letter — your employer letter must reference your actual duties matching the NOC description, and include your title, dates, hours, and salary
• ✘ Ignoring secondary NOC codes — if you have experience in multiple roles across different TEER 0–3 codes, you may be able to claim multiple years of experience in different skilled occupations

Most In-Demand NOC Codes for Canada Immigration (2026)

The following occupations consistently appear in Express Entry and PNP draws due to high Canadian labour demand:

• ✔ 21232 – Software developers and programmers (TEER 1)
• ✔ 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (TEER 1)
• ✔ 72200 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades (TEER 2)
• ✔ 72310 – Electricians (except industrial and power system) (TEER 2)
• ✔ 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (TEER 3)
• ✔ 63100 – Retail trade supervisors (TEER 3)
• ✔ 12100 – Administrative assistants (TEER 2)
• ✔ 13100 – Administrative officers (TEER 2)
• ✔ 10010 – Financial managers (TEER 0)
• ✔ 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians (TEER 1)

Frequently Asked Questions

This article is for general informational purposes only. NOC codes and IRCC's use of them may change. Always verify your code using the official NOC database on Canada.ca.