NOC Code Canada Explained: What It Is, TEER Levels & How to Find Yours (2026)

What Are the TEER Levels in Canada's NOC System?

The TEER system has six levels (TEER 0 through TEER 5). Here is what each means for immigration:

For Express Entry eligibility: Only TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 qualify. TEER 4 and TEER 5 jobs do not count toward Express Entry work experience requirements. The first digit of every 5-digit NOC code indicates the TEER level — NOC 21231 (software engineer) starts with 2, so it's TEER 2.

How Does the 5-Digit NOC Code Work?

Every occupation has a 5-digit NOC code structured as follows:

• ✔ First digit: TEER level (0–5)
• ✔ Second digit: Broad occupational category (1 = Business/Finance, 2 = Sciences, 3 = Health, 4 = Education/Law/Social, 5 = Arts, 6 = Sales/Service, 7 = Trades/Transport, 8 = Resources, 9 = Manufacturing)
• ✔ Third digit: Major group within that category
• ✔ Fourth and fifth digits: Specific occupation

Example: NOC 21231 = TEER 2 (second digit 1 = science) → software engineers and designers. NOC 31301 = TEER 3 (digit 1 = health) → registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses.

Most Common NOC Codes for Immigration (2026)

How Do You Find Your Correct NOC Code? (Step by Step)

The most important rule: match your job duties to the NOC description — not just your job title. Here is the correct process:

1. List your actual daily job duties in point form — what you actually do at work, not what your contract says you should do
2. Search the NOC database at noc.esdc.gc.ca by job title (or use our NOC Code Checker for a faster first pass)
3. Read the full NOC description for every potential match — specifically the "Main duties" section
4. Match your duties to Main duties: Your actual job duties should substantially match the majority of the listed main duties — not just one or two items
5. Check the "Employment requirements": Confirm your education or training aligns with the requirements listed
6. Verify the TEER level: Confirm the first digit of the code is 0, 1, 2, or 3 for Express Entry eligibility
7. Document the match: When requesting employment reference letters, ask your employer to use language from the NOC description's Main duties section

What Are the Most Common NOC Code Mistakes in Immigration Applications?

Mistake 1: Matching on Job Title Alone

The title "IT Manager" could map to NOC 20012 (Computer and information systems managers, TEER 0), NOC 21221 (Business systems specialists, TEER 2), or NOC 22220 (User support technicians, TEER 2) — depending on actual duties. Always read the Main duties section. If you managed a team and set strategic direction, you may be TEER 0. If you provided technical support, you're likely TEER 2.

Mistake 2: Claiming TEER 1 When Duties Are TEER 2

Software engineering roles are TEER 2 (NOC 21231), not TEER 1. Many applicants incorrectly claim TEER 1 thinking all "professional" jobs are TEER 1. In the NOC system, engineers are TEER 2 — this doesn't mean they're less skilled; TEER 2 simply requires college/apprenticeship/job training rather than a university degree as the primary credential type.

Mistake 3: Using the Old 4-Digit NOC Code

The NOC 2021 update moved from 4-digit to 5-digit codes in November 2022. Old references that say "NOC 2174 (computer programmer)" are now replaced by "NOC 21232 (software developers and programmers)." If you're using reference letters or old documents with 4-digit codes, you need to convert them to the current 5-digit system.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Category Draw Implications

Your NOC code doesn't just determine eligibility — it determines which category draw you qualify for. A healthcare professional with NOC 31301 qualifies for healthcare category draws (cut-off 430–470). If that same person incorrectly claims NOC 11199 (health services administrators) — a non-healthcare category — they miss out on the lower-cut-off healthcare draw entirely.

What Is the Difference Between NOC 2016 and NOC 2021?

Canada switched from NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 on November 16, 2022. The key differences:

All IRCC applications from November 2022 onwards use NOC 2021 (5-digit codes). If you have older reference letters or documents using 4-digit codes, they can still be used as supporting evidence, but your Express Entry profile must be completed using current 5-digit codes.

Why Your NOC Code Matters for Category Draw Eligibility

According to IRCC updates in 2026, category-based draws are permanent and will continue for the foreseeable future. Your NOC code is what determines whether you qualify for a category draw — and category draws have dramatically lower cut-offs than general draws:

• ✔ STEM draw eligibility: Requires specific NOC codes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — including 21231, 21234, 21211, 21300, 21301, 21310, 21320, 21321, 21330, 11100 (financial), and others
• ✔ Healthcare draw eligibility: Specific NOC codes including 31301 (nurses), 31111 (physicians), 32101 (lab techs), 32124 (pharmacists), 31112 (general practitioners), and others
• ✔ Trades draw eligibility: NOC codes in the 72xxx range (electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, welders, millwrights, machinists) and related construction occupations

A candidate who uses the wrong NOC code and misses their category draw designation may wait months for a general draw at a 50-point higher cut-off. Getting your NOC code right is not just an eligibility question — it determines which draw type you compete in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a NOC code in Canada?

NOC stands for National Occupational Classification. It is Canada's official system for classifying all jobs in the Canadian labour market. Each job is assigned a 5-digit code based on the type of work and required skill level (TEER). For immigration, your NOC code determines whether your work experience qualifies for programs like Express Entry, which programs you're eligible for, and which category draws you compete in.

What TEER level do I need for Express Entry?

For Express Entry eligibility, your work experience must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. TEER 4 (semi-skilled) and TEER 5 (low-skilled) jobs do not qualify. The TEER level is the first digit of the 5-digit NOC code — so any NOC starting with 0, 1, 2, or 3 is eligible. Any NOC starting with 4 or 5 is not eligible for Express Entry work experience credit.

How do I find my NOC code in Canada?

To find your NOC code: (1) List your actual job duties in detail, (2) Search noc.esdc.gc.ca by job title, (3) Read the full NOC description including "Main duties" for potential matches, (4) Select the code whose main duties most closely match your actual daily responsibilities, (5) Confirm the TEER level using the first digit. Use our NOC Code Checker for a fast first pass before verifying with the official database.

What happens if I use the wrong NOC code?

Using an incorrect NOC code is a serious error. If IRCC determines your claimed NOC doesn't match your actual work duties, your application can be returned (incomplete), your eligibility claim voided, or — in cases of deliberate misrepresentation — you can be found inadmissible for up to 5 years. IRCC officers verify NOC codes against employment reference letters, so your letter's duty descriptions must align with the NOC's Main duties. Use the right code, supported by proper reference letters.

What is the difference between NOC 2016 and NOC 2021?

NOC 2021 replaced NOC 2016 in November 2022. The key changes: codes expanded from 4 digits to 5 digits, the old Skill Level system (O/A/B/C/D) was replaced with TEER levels (0–5), and some occupations were reclassified. If you have immigration documents or reference letters that use old 4-digit codes, you need to determine the current 5-digit equivalent for your Express Entry profile.

Can I have more than one NOC code for Express Entry?

Yes. Express Entry allows you to list multiple work experience entries, each with its own NOC code. Your primary NOC is typically the one associated with your most recent and most substantial work experience — this is the code used to determine your program eligibility (FSW, CEC) and category draw qualification. Secondary NOC codes from previous jobs can add work experience points and skill transferability bonuses.

This article is for informational purposes only based on publicly available IRCC data. NOC classifications can change — always verify current codes at noc.esdc.gc.ca and canada.ca. Maple Route Immigration is an informational resource, not a licensed immigration consulting firm.