Your NOC code is a five-digit number that defines your occupation in the eyes of Canadian immigration. It determines whether you're eligible for Express Entry, which draws you qualify for, how many CRS points your work experience is worth, and which Provincial Nominee Program streams you can access. Getting this number wrong — or picking the wrong one when your job title doesn't match perfectly — can derail your entire application.
This guide explains how the NOC system works, how to find your code, and how to use it strategically for immigration.
The bottom line
The National Occupation Classification (NOC) is Canada's official system for categorizing every job in the economy. Immigration programs use NOC codes to determine eligibility — if your work experience doesn't fall under a qualifying NOC TEER level, you can't apply for certain programs regardless of your CRS score. The 2021 NOC system uses five-digit codes organized by TEER levels (0 through 5), where TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 qualify as "skilled" for Express Entry purposes. You need to match your actual job duties — not just your job title — to the right NOC code. Use our NOC Finder tool to search, or read on to understand the full system.
What is the NOC?
The National Occupation Classification is a standardized system maintained by Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). It classifies every occupation in Canada into a five-digit code based on the type of work performed and the skill level required.
The current version is NOC 2021 Version 1.0, which replaced the older NOC 2016 system in November 2022. If you're reading older immigration forums or guides that reference four-digit NOC codes or skill levels A, B, C, D — that's the old system. IRCC now uses the new five-digit codes and TEER levels exclusively.
How NOC codes are structured
Each five-digit NOC code encodes specific information:
- First digit: Broad occupational category (0-9)
- Second digit: TEER level (the training, education, experience, and responsibilities required)
- Third to fifth digits: Specific occupation within the category
For example, NOC 21211 breaks down as:
- 2 — Natural and applied sciences
- 1 — TEER 1 (university degree typically required)
- 211 — Specific occupation: Data scientists
TEER levels explained
TEER stands for Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities. It replaced the old Skill Level system (A, B, C, D) in 2022. There are six TEER levels:
| TEER level | Education/training typically required | Express Entry eligible? | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEER 0 | Management experience, often with a degree | Yes (FSW, CEC) | Restaurant managers, engineering managers, construction managers |
| TEER 1 | University degree (bachelor's or higher) | Yes (FSW, CEC) | Software engineers, accountants, pharmacists, civil engineers |
| TEER 2 | College diploma, apprenticeship (2+ years), or specialized training | Yes (FSW, CEC) | Registered nurses, electricians, paralegals, dental hygienists |
| TEER 3 | College diploma or apprenticeship (less than 2 years), or on-the-job training (6+ months) | Yes (FSW, CEC) | Bakers, dental assistants, transport truck drivers, veterinary technicians |
| TEER 4 | High school diploma or weeks of on-the-job training | No | Retail salespersons, security guards, food counter attendants |
| TEER 5 | Short work demonstration, no formal education required | No | Landscaping labourers, janitors, fruit pickers |
The critical line: TEER 0-3 vs. TEER 4-5
For immigration purposes, the divide between TEER 3 and TEER 4 is one of the most consequential distinctions in the entire system:
- TEER 0, 1, 2, 3: Considered "skilled" occupations. Eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and most PNP streams. Work experience in these TEER levels earns CRS points.
- TEER 4, 5: Considered "low-skilled" for immigration purposes. Not eligible for FSW or CEC. Work experience in these levels does not count toward Express Entry — even if you've worked the job for 10 years in Canada.
This is why your NOC code matters so much. Two people doing similar-sounding jobs can have completely different immigration prospects based on their NOC classification.
Why your NOC code matters for immigration
Your NOC code affects virtually every aspect of your immigration journey:
Express Entry eligibility
Both the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) require work experience in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations. If your work experience is classified under TEER 4 or 5, you cannot qualify through these programs.
For FSW specifically, you need at least one continuous year of full-time work experience in a single NOC code at TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 within the last 10 years.
For CEC, you need at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience in a single NOC code at TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 within the last three years.
CRS score calculation
Your work experience under specific NOC codes directly affects your CRS score:
Canadian work experience (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3):
| Duration | CRS points |
|---|---|
| 1 year | 40 points |
| 2 years | 53 points |
| 3 years | 64 points |
| 4 years | 72 points |
| 5+ years | 80 points |
Foreign work experience (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3):
| Duration | CRS points |
|---|---|
| 1-2 years | 25 points |
| 3+ years | 50 points |
Work experience in TEER 4 or 5 gets you zero CRS points — no matter how many years.
Category-based draws
Since 2023, IRCC has been running category-based Express Entry draws targeting specific occupations. Your NOC code determines whether you qualify for these lower-CRS-cutoff draws:
- Healthcare: NOC codes in nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, medical technology, and other health occupations
- STEM: Software engineering, data science, electrical engineering, and related fields
- Trades: Electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, heavy equipment operators
- Transport: Truck drivers, aircraft pilots, rail operators
- Agriculture and agri-food: Farm workers, food processing, agricultural technicians
Category-based draws often have CRS cut-offs 50 to 100 points lower than general draws. If your NOC falls in a targeted category, this is a major advantage.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Every province's PNP has its own list of eligible or in-demand occupations, defined by NOC codes. For example:
- Ontario's OINP has streams targeting specific NOC codes in tech and healthcare
- British Columbia's BC PNP uses NOC codes to determine which occupations qualify for accelerated processing
- Saskatchewan's SINP maintains an in-demand occupation list organized by NOC code
- Alberta's AAIP targets specific NOC codes for its Alberta Opportunity Stream
Your NOC code determines which provincial streams are available to you. Check our PNP guide for province-specific details.
LMIA and work permits
Employers applying for an LMIA for your work permit must specify the NOC code for the position. The prevailing wage for that NOC in that region determines the minimum salary the employer must offer.