NOC + TEER — finding your code

NOC 2021 TEER Categories Explained — Full Guide

Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC) is the foundation for most immigration eligibility decisions. NOC 2021 introduced TEER categories (replacing older skill levels). This page explains the framework, how to find your NOC, why TEER matters, and how to avoid the most common misclassification mistakes.

NOC 2021 structure

Every Canadian job has a 5-digit NOC code:

1st digit: Broad occupational category (0 = management, 1 = business/finance, 2 = sciences/applied sciences, 3 = health, etc.)
2nd digit: TEER category
Last 3 digits: Specific occupation within the category

Example: NOC 21232 = "Software developers and programmers" (2 = sciences/applied sciences, 1 = TEER 1, 232 = specific software dev NOC).

The 6 TEER categories

TEER 0 — Management

Management occupations. Examples: Computer + information systems managers (20012), Construction managers (70010), Restaurant + food service managers (60030).

TEER 1 — University degree + 2+ years experience

Professional occupations requiring university degree typically + 2+ years experience. Examples: Software engineers (21231), Software developers (21232), Civil engineers (21300), Registered nurses (31301), Physicians (31102), Lawyers (41101).

TEER 2 — College diploma + 2+ years OR supervisory

Technical occupations requiring 2-3 year college diploma + 2+ years experience, OR supervisory roles in technical fields. Examples: Computer network technicians (22220), Industrial engineering technologists (22301), Licensed practical nurses (32101), Electricians (72200), Plumbers (72300).

TEER 3 — College diploma OR 2+ years training

Technical + skilled trade occupations requiring 2-year college diploma OR 2+ years of formal training. Examples: Welders (72106), Sheet metal workers (72102), Industrial mechanics (72400), Paramedics (32102), Truck drivers — long-haul (73300), Heavy equipment operators (73400).

TEER 4 — High school + on-the-job training

Intermediate occupations requiring high school + on-the-job training (few weeks to months). Examples: Food + beverage servers (65200), Retail sales supervisors (62010), Light duty cleaners (65310), Bookkeepers (12200).

TEER 5 — Short demonstration + no formal training

Labour occupations requiring short demonstration (hours/days) + no formal training. Examples: Food counter attendants (65201), Cashiers (65100), General farm workers (85100), Harvesting labourers (85101).

How TEER affects immigration eligibility

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)

Requires work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
TEER 4/5 work doesn't count toward FSW eligibility (but other points may apply)

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Requires Canadian work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
Language minimum varies by TEER: CLB 7 for TEER 0/1; CLB 5 for TEER 2/3

Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC)

Requires work experience in specific TEER 2/3 skilled trades NOCs
Major sectors: electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, heavy equipment, machinists

Category-based draws (2026)

IRCC's category-based selection draws limit eligible NOCs by category:

STEM category: specific TEER 0/1 STEM NOCs
Healthcare: specific TEER 0/1/2/3 healthcare NOCs
Trades: specific TEER 2/3 trades NOCs
French: any NOC with CLB/NCLC 7+ French

PNP streams

Most PNPs reference NOC + TEER:

Skilled Worker streams: usually TEER 0/1/2/3
Critical Worker / Hospitality / Trucking streams: often TEER 4/5
Some PNPs have specific in-demand NOC lists

Work permits

SOWP post-2025: spouse must be in TEER 0/1 OR specialized sector TEER 2/3
Mobilité Francophone: TEER 0/1/2/3 only
LMIA: any TEER (with different processing for high-wage vs low-wage)

Finding your NOC — step-by-step

Visit noc.esdc.gc.ca (the official Government of Canada NOC database)
Search by job title, keywords, or NAICS industry code
Review candidate NOCs — read each NOC's complete description
Compare against YOUR actual duties (job title alone is insufficient)
Confirm you perform a majority of the "main duties" listed
Verify educational + experience match the TEER level

The "main duties" requirement

IRCC requires that your actual work include performing MOST of the main duties listed in the NOC description. Common pitfalls:

Job title matches but duties don't (e.g., titled "engineer" but only doing technician work — actual NOC may be TEER 2 technician, not TEER 1 engineer)
Performed some duties but not the majority
Tasks listed under one NOC but actual role aligned with different NOC

Common NOC misclassification mistakes

Choosing higher TEER for inflated job title not matched by actual duties
Choosing technical NOC (TEER 1/2) when duties are managerial (TEER 0)
Choosing managerial NOC (TEER 0) when you don't actually supervise + direct
Not understanding NOC's substantive nature — IRCC officers look at duties, not just title
Submitting employment letter without NOC-aligned duty descriptions

FAQ

What's NOC?

National Occupational Classification — Statistics Canada's system for categorizing all Canadian jobs. NOC 2021 (in use since 2022) uses 5-digit codes (e.g., 21232 for software developers). Used by IRCC for Express Entry, work permits, PNP applications. Replaces older 4-digit NOC 2016 + NOC skill levels (0/A/B/C/D).

What's TEER?

Training, Education, Experience + Responsibilities — the categorization framework introduced in NOC 2021. 6 TEER categories: TEER 0 (management), TEER 1 (university degree + 2+ years experience), TEER 2 (college diploma + 2+ years experience OR supervisory), TEER 3 (college diploma OR 2+ years training), TEER 4 (high school + on-the-job training), TEER 5 (short demonstration + no formal training).

Why does TEER matter for Express Entry?

FSW + CEC require work experience in TEER 0/1/2/3 (not TEER 4/5). FSTC has specific TEER 2/3 trades NOCs. Category-based draws (healthcare, STEM, trades, French) limit eligible NOCs. PNP streams reference TEER thresholds. Choose wrong TEER = wrong program eligibility.

How do I find my NOC?

Visit noc.esdc.gc.ca → search by job title, keywords, or industry → review the NOC description carefully. Match against YOUR actual job duties (not just title). Some occupations have multiple potential NOCs; pick the one matching your duties best.

Common NOC mistakes?

Wrong NOC selection is one of the most common Express Entry refusal reasons. Common mistakes: choosing higher TEER NOC than duties justify (e.g., 'manager' title but duties are TEER 2/3), choosing technical NOC without core duties match, missing the 'main duties' alignment requirement (must perform majority of NOC's main duties).

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Related: NOC lookup · NOC tool · Express Entry

NOC TEER Explained