What is NOC Canada? A Guide to Canada’s Immigration Occupation List
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) system has undergone a MAJOR change, completely transitioning from the familiar Skill Level system (0, A, B) to the brand-new TEER system. Relying on outdated information and old guidelines can lead to unfortunate mistakes, potentially even causing your application to be rejected.
This article serves as your most updated and detailed guide for 2025, helping you understand what the TEER system is. More importantly, it will walk you step-by-step through how to accurately look up your occupation code on the official Government of Canada website.
Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) List
What is the NOC?
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is the Canadian government’s official system for classifying all occupations, assigning each a unique code and a detailed job description. This system is the foundation for evaluating work experience in immigration programs.
The most critical update you need to know is that since late 2022, Canada has completely replaced the old Skill Level system (Skill Level 0, A, B, C, D) with a new system called TEER (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities). This means all old guides referring to Skill Level 0, A, or B are no longer valid.
To help you understand just how significant this change is, let’s look at a real-world example:
- Under the old system, both “Web Technicians” and “Bakers” were grouped together under Skill Level B.
- With the new TEER system, the classification is more detailed. “Web Technicians” are now classified under TEER 2, as the role typically requires a 2-3 year college diploma. In contrast, “Bakers” are now under TEER 3, as this role often requires an apprenticeship of less than 2 years or on-the-job training.
This distinction is extremely important. Many immigration programs, such as certain streams within Express Entry, might only accept occupations in TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3. However, there are specific Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) designed for occupations in TEER 4.
Identifying the wrong TEER could lead you to apply for the wrong program. Therefore, if you are preparing your application, it’s time to forget the old concepts and focus entirely on the TEER system.
Understanding the 5 NOC Skill Levels and their TEER Equivalents
To give you a complete picture, it’s helpful to understand the old 5 Skill Level system and how it corresponds to the new 6-level TEER system.
| Old NOC System | Detailed Description | New TEER System |
|---|---|---|
| Skill Type 0 | Management positions responsible for planning, directing, and controlling the activities of an organization or department. | TEER 0 |
| Skill Level A | Professional occupations usually requiring a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree. These roles demand in-depth knowledge and a strong theoretical foundation. | TEER 1 |
| Skill Level B | Skilled trades or technical occupations usually requiring a college diploma, certificate, or specialized apprenticeship training. | TEER 2 TEER 3 |
| Skill Level C | Intermediate occupations usually requiring a high school diploma and/or short-term job-specific training. Includes service and administrative roles. | TEER 4 |
| Skill Level D | Labour occupations that typically require on-the-job training and no formal education. | TEER 5 |
The 10 Broad Occupational Categories in the NOC System
Besides the 6 TEER levels, the NOC system is also structured into 10 broad occupational categories, identified by the first digit of the 5-digit NOC code. Understanding this structure helps you see the general field your job belongs to.
| NOC Code (First Digit) | Broad Occupational Category |
|---|---|
| 0 | Management occupations |
| 1 | Business, finance and administration occupations |
| 2 | Natural and applied sciences and related occupations |
| 3 | Health occupations |
| 4 | Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services |
| 5 | Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport |
| 6 | Sales and service occupations |
| 7 | Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations |
| 8 | Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations |
| 9 | Occupations in manufacturing and utilities |
List of 64 Common Occupations for Immigration to Canada
Below is a standardized list of occupations for Canadian immigration, formatted according to the 5-digit NOC code and the current TEER system:
| No. | TEER | NOC Code | Occupation Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 0 | 00010 | Legislators |
| 02 | 0 | 00011 | Senior government managers and officials |
| 03 | 0 | 00012 | Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services |
| 04 | 0 | 00013 | Senior managers – health, education, social and community services |
| 05 | 0 | 00015 | Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities |
| 06 | 0 | 10010 | Financial managers |
| 07 | 0 | 10011 | Human resources managers |
| 08 | 0 | 10012 | Purchasing managers |
| 09 | 0 | 10019 | Other administrative services managers |
| 10 | 0 | 10020 | Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers |
| 11 | 0 | 10021 | Banking, credit and other investment managers |
| 12 | 0 | 10022 | Advertising, marketing and public relations managers |
| 13 | 0 | 70012 | Facility operation and maintenance managers |
| 14 | 0 | 10029 | Other business services managers |
| 15 | 0 | 10030 | Telecommunication carriers managers |
| 16 | 0 | 20010 | Engineering managers |
| 17 | 0 | 20011 | Architecture and science managers |
| 18 | 0 | 20012 | Computer and information systems managers |
| 19 | 0 | 30010 | Managers in health care |
| 20 | 0 | 40010 | Government managers – health and social policy development |
| 21 | 0 | 40011 | Government managers – economic analysis, policy development |
| 22 | 0 | 40012 | Government managers – education policy development |
| 23 | 0 | 40019 | Other managers in public administration |
| 24 | 0 | 40020 | Administrators – post-secondary education and vocational training |
| 25 | 0 | 40021 | School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education |
| 26 | 0 | 40030 | Managers in social, community and correctional services |
| 27 | 0 | 40040 | Commissioned police officers |
| 28 | 0 | 40041 | Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers |
| 29 | 0 | 40042 | Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces |
| 30 | 0 | 50010 | Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers |
| 31 | 0 | 50011 | Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts |
| 32 | 0 | 50012 | Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors |
| 33 | 0 | 60010 | Corporate sales managers |
| 34 | 0 | 60020 | Retail and wholesale trade managers |
| 35 | 0 | 60030 | Restaurant and food service managers |
| 36 | 0 | 60031 | Accommodation service managers |
| 37 | 0 | 60040 | Managers in customer and personal services |
| 38 | 0 | 70010 | Construction managers |
| 39 | 0 | 70012 | Facility operation and maintenance managers |
| 40 | 0 | 70020 | Transportation managers |
| 41 | 0 | 80010 | Managers in natural resources production and fishing |
| 42 | 0 | 80020 | Managers in agriculture |
| 43 | 0 | 80021 | Managers in horticulture |
| 44 | 0 | 80022 | Managers in aquaculture |
| 45 | 1 | 11100 | Financial auditors and accountants |
| 46 | 1 | 11101 | Financial and investment analysts |
| 47 | 1 | 11103 | Securities agents, investment dealers and brokers |
| 48 | 1 | 11201 | Professional occupations in business management consulting |
| 49 | 1 | 11202 | Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations |
| 50 | 4 | 14100 | General office support workers |
| 51 | 4 | 14101 | Mail, postal and related workers |
| 52 | 2 | 12100 | Executive assistants |
| 53 | 2 | 12103 | Conference and event planners |
| 54 | 2 | 12110 | Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations |
| 55 | 3 | 43203 | Officers of employment insurance, immigration, border services |
| 56 | 3 | 13111 | Legal administrative assistants |
| 57 | 3 | 13112 | Medical administrative assistants |
| 58 | 2 | 12110 | Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations |
| 59 | 2 | 12111 | Health information management occupations |
| 60 | 2 | 12112 | Records management technicians |
| 61 | 1 | 21210 | Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries |
| 62 | 2 | 12200 | Accounting technicians and bookkeepers |
| 63 | 2 | 12203 | Assessors, valuators and appraisers |
| 64 | 3 | 13200 | Customs, ship and other brokers |
How to Find Your NOC Code
Follow these four simple steps to find your correct NOC code on the official Government of Canada website.
- Visit the official website: The only reliable source is the Government of Canada’s NOC search page: https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/.
- Search by job title: Enter your job title in English (e.g., “Software Engineer,” “Accountant”) into the search box.
- Cross-reference the main duties (The most crucial step): Don’t select a code based on the title alone. Click on the result and carefully read the “Main duties” section.
- Confirm your NOC code: If the listed duties match the majority (70-80%) of your actual job responsibilities, you’ve found the right code. If not, go back and try a different search result.
Immigration Programs Based on NOC Codes
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
This program is for skilled workers outside of Canada. It requires at least one year of continuous, full-time work experience within the last 10 years. This experience must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation (equivalent to the old NOC 0, A, or B). Applicants also need to achieve a minimum of CLB 7 in language proficiency and score at least 67 out of 100 points on the program’s unique assessment grid.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
This program is for individuals who already have Canadian work experience. It requires at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years. The TEER and language requirements are clearly defined:
- Experience in TEER 0 or 1 (old NOC 0, A) requires a minimum of CLB 7.
- Experience in TEER 2 or 3 (old NOC B) requires a minimum of CLB 5.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
This program is specifically for skilled trades professionals. It requires at least two years of experience in a skilled trade within specific NOC groups (e.g., electricians, carpenters, chefs). These occupations are primarily in TEER 2 or 3. The language requirements are lower, requiring CLB 5 for Speaking & Listening and CLB 4 for Reading & Writing.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and Regional Programs
Beyond Express Entry, provinces and territories have their own programs to meet specific labour needs, often opening opportunities for a broader range of TEER levels.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): Provinces often have immigration streams targeting in-demand occupations, including those in TEER 4 and 5. For example, Saskatchewan might prioritize truck drivers (TEER 3), while British Columbia may prioritize early childhood educators (TEER 4).
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): The former AIPP pilot is now a permanent program. It is an excellent option for the four Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador). A key strength of the AIP is that it accepts work experience across a very wide range, from TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, all the way to TEER 4. Language requirements are also lower, starting from CLB 4, making it accessible for many candidates.
Benefits of Immigrating to Canada as a Skilled Worker
Immigrating to Canada through a skilled worker pathway is a top choice for many people worldwide due to its outstanding benefits:
- A direct path to Permanent Residency (PR), allowing you and your family (spouse, children) to live, work, and study freely anywhere in Canada.
- A system that recognizes and values your skills, providing opportunities to work in your field in an advanced environment and grow professionally.
- Children of Permanent Residents receive free education in the public school system from kindergarten through Grade 12 and pay domestic tuition fees for university (about one-third of the cost for international students).
- You and your family are covered by Canada’s universal healthcare system and can access other social benefits like unemployment and maternity leave.
- After meeting residency requirements, you can apply for citizenship and obtain one of the world’s most powerful passports.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
My job seems to fit 2-3 different NOC codes. What should I do?
This is a very common situation. Our advice is to always prioritize the NOC code where the “Main duties” most closely match your actual work, rather than just relying on the job title. If you’re still unsure, this is the point where consulting with an immigration professional is crucial to analyze your profile in-depth and make the most strategic choice.
Do I need to have performed every single duty listed in the NOC description?
Not at all. You do not need to perform every task listed. However, your job must include a substantial number of the main and most significant duties described in that NOC code to be considered a good match.
My old profile used Skill Level B. What TEER is that now?
Please refer back to the detailed comparison table in the second section of this article. Generally, most occupations that were under Skill Level B have now been reclassified as either TEER 2 or TEER 3. Determining your correct TEER is extremely important for your application.
Yes Study: Profile Assessment & Accurate NOC Identification
Choosing the correct NOC code and TEER level is a foundational step that can determine the success or failure of your entire immigration application. A small mistake at this stage can have significant consequences.
With experience handling thousands of applications, we at Yes Study understand how immigration officers evaluate work experience against the TEER system. We will help you analyze your actual job duties, select the most appropriate NOC code, and build a convincing, logical application to maximize your chances of success.
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What is NOC Canada? A Guide to Canada’s Immigration Occupation List
