Express Entry

How to Find Your NOC and TEER Category

Apr 25, 2026
How to Find Your NOC and TEER Category

Your NOC code is the official Canadian occupation code for your job. Your TEER category tells IRCC the general level of training, education, experience and responsibilities connected to that occupation.

For Express Entry, choosing the right NOC is not about picking the best sounding job title. It is about matching your real job duties to the official NOC profile. IRCC expects your work experience to match the NOC lead statement and most of the main duties for that occupation.

For the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class, your work must usually be in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3. For the Federal Skilled Trades Program, only specific trade groups are eligible. TEER 4 and TEER 5 work usually cannot be used as qualifying skilled work for Express Entry.

Official IRCC NOC page: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/find-national-occupation-code.html)Official NOC website: (https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/)Official Express Entry eligibility page: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply.html)

What is NOC 2021?

NOC means National Occupational Classification. It is Canada’s official system for classifying jobs.

IRCC uses the NOC to understand what kind of work you did and whether that work can count for an immigration program. Canada now uses NOC 2021 for Express Entry. NOC 2021 uses 5 digit occupation codes and TEER categories.

TEER means Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities.

Official sources:IRCC NOC page: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/find-national-occupation-code.html)Statistics Canada NOC 2021 introduction: (https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/subjects/standard/noc/2021/introductionV1)

What is the TEER system?

The TEER system replaced the older NOC “Skill Type 0, Skill Level A, B, C and D” language.

There are six TEER categories, from TEER 0 to TEER 5. TEER does not simply mean “good job” or “bad job.” It describes the usual training, education, experience and responsibility level for that occupation.

TEER category

What it generally means

Express Entry note

TEER 0

Management occupations

Can qualify for Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class if all other program requirements are met

TEER 1

Occupations that usually require a university degree, or previous experience and expertise from a related TEER 2 occupation

Can qualify for Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class

TEER 2

Occupations that usually require 2 to 3 years of post secondary education, apprenticeship training of 2 to 5 years, supervisory responsibilities, significant safety responsibilities, or several years in a related TEER 3 occupation

Can qualify for Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class. Some TEER 2 trades may qualify for Federal Skilled Trades

TEER 3

Occupations that usually require less than 2 years of post secondary education, apprenticeship training under 2 years, more than 6 months of on the job training, or several years in a related TEER 4 occupation

Can qualify for Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class. Some TEER 3 trades may qualify for Federal Skilled Trades

TEER 4

Occupations that usually require secondary school, several weeks of on the job training, or experience in a related TEER 5 occupation

Usually not qualifying skilled work for Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class

TEER 5

Occupations that usually need short work demonstration and no formal education requirement

Usually not qualifying skilled work for Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class

Official source: (https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/subjects/standard/noc/2021/introductionV1)

How is a 5 digit NOC code structured?

NOC 2021 uses a 5 digit code. Each digit helps place the occupation inside Canada’s occupation system.

Part of the NOC code

What it shows

First digit

Broad occupational category

Second digit

TEER category

First and second digits together

Major group

Third digit

Sub major group

Fourth digit

Minor group

Fifth digit

Unit group

The full 5 digit code is the unit group. This is the occupation code normally used when choosing your NOC for immigration.

Official source: (https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/subjects/standard/noc/2021/introductionV1)

How do you find your NOC code on the official Government of Canada NOC website?

Use this process before you submit an Express Entry profile or an application.

  1. Go to IRCC’s “Find your National Occupational Classification” page(https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/find-national-occupation-code.html)
  2. Search your job title in the NOC table on the IRCC page.
  3. Write down the possible NOC code, job title and TEER category.
  4. Go to the official Government of Canada NOC website(https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/)
  5. Make sure you are using NOC 2021 Version 1.0.
  6. Search by your job title or by the 5 digit NOC code.
  7. Open the NOC profile.
  8. Read the lead statement, example titles, main duties, exclusions and employment requirements.
  9. Compare the NOC profile with what you actually did in your job.
  10. If the duties do not match, do not force the NOC. Search again using another job title or related occupation.

IRCC says the NOC table on its page is a reference. If there is a difference, the official NOC website should be treated as the correct source.

Official sources:IRCC NOC page: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/find-national-occupation-code.html)Official NOC website: (https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/)

How do you use Job Bank to cross check your NOC?

Job Bank can help you understand occupation profiles in plain language.

  1. Go to Job Bank’s occupation search page(https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis/search-occupations)
  2. Search your job title.
  3. Open the closest occupation profile.
  4. Check the NOC code shown on the Job Bank profile.
  5. Review the job description, duties, related job titles, wages and job requirements.
  6. Compare the Job Bank result with the official NOC website profile.
  7. Use the official NOC website as the final source if there is any difference.

Job Bank is useful for checking related titles and common descriptions, but your final NOC choice should be based on the official NOC profile and your real job duties.

Official Job Bank search page: (https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis/search-occupations)Example Job Bank occupation profile: (https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/occupation/12536/ca)

How do you know if your job duties match the NOC?

Your NOC match should be based on what you actually did, not only on your job title.

You should check three parts of the official NOC profile.

Part of the NOC profile

What to check

Lead statement

This is the general description of the occupation. Your work should fit this description

Main duties

Your real duties should match most of the main duties listed for the NOC

Exclusions

These show related occupations that may look similar but belong under a different NOC

IRCC’s Express Entry instructions say applicants must show they performed the actions in the lead statement and most of the main duties for the occupation. The current Express Entry Ministerial Instructions use the wording “a substantial number of the main duties, including all of the essential duties.”

Official sources:Federal Skilled Worker page: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/federal-skilled-workers.html)Canadian Experience Class page: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/canadian-experience-class.html)Express Entry Ministerial Instructions: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-application-management-system/current.html)

Is there an official percentage of duties that must match?

No official percentage was confirmed.

You may see people online say that 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent or 80 percent of duties must match. Those numbers are not official IRCC rules.

The safer way to explain the rule is this: your job should match the lead statement and most of the main duties, including all essential duties where applicable.

Do not choose a NOC only because it gives a better immigration result. Choose the NOC that best matches your actual work.

Which TEER levels qualify for Express Entry?

The answer depends on the Express Entry program.

Express Entry program

Which NOC or TEER work can qualify

Main work experience rule

Canadian Experience Class

TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3

At least 1 year of skilled Canadian work experience, equal to 1,560 hours, in the 3 years before applying

Federal Skilled Worker Program

TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3

At least 1 year of continuous paid work experience in the same NOC as the primary occupation, within the last 10 years

Federal Skilled Trades Program

Specific trade groups in TEER 2 or 3

At least 2 years of skilled trade work experience, equal to 3,120 hours, within the last 5 years

For Federal Skilled Trades, not every TEER 2 or TEER 3 job qualifies. IRCC lists specific eligible trade groups. These include Major Groups 72 excluding Sub Major Group 726, 73, 82, 83, 92, 93 excluding Sub Major Group 932, Minor Group 6320 and Unit Group 62200.

Official sources:Express Entry program comparison: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply.html)Canadian Experience Class: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/canadian-experience-class.html)Federal Skilled Worker Program: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/federal-skilled-workers.html)Federal Skilled Trades Program: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/federal-skilled-trades.html)

Does your NOC or TEER affect CRS points?

NOC and TEER affect eligibility more directly than CRS points.

For example, if your work is TEER 4 or TEER 5, it usually cannot be used as qualifying skilled work for Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class. If the work does not qualify, you may not be eligible to enter or remain eligible in the Express Entry pool under that program.

But a higher TEER does not automatically mean more CRS points. CRS points are based on factors such as age, education, language, Canadian work experience, foreign work experience, skill transferability, provincial nomination and other official CRS factors.

Official CRS criteria: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/check-score/crs-criteria.html)

Can NOC still matter for CRS or invitations?

Yes, in some situations.

First, your NOC can affect whether your work experience counts at all. If the work does not meet the TEER and duty requirements, you may lose eligibility or points connected to that work experience.

Second, some Express Entry category based selection rounds are based on work experience in specific occupations. For those rounds, the exact NOC can matter because IRCC may invite candidates who have qualifying experience in listed occupations.

Third, as of March 25, 2025, IRCC removed CRS points for arranged employment job offers. Before that change, some job offers could add 50 or 200 CRS points depending on the job. IRCC now says a valid job offer may still matter for some program requirements, but it no longer gives CRS points.

Official sources:CRS criteria: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/check-score/crs-criteria.html)Category based selection: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html)Job offer page: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/job-offer.html)

Does TEER affect language requirements?

For Canadian Experience Class, yes.

IRCC’s Express Entry program comparison shows different minimum language levels for CEC depending on TEER:

CEC job TEER

Minimum language level

TEER 0 or TEER 1

CLB 7

TEER 2 or TEER 3

CLB 5

Official source: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply.html)

Common mistakes when choosing a NOC

Choosing by job title only

This is one of the biggest mistakes. Your title may be “coordinator,” “assistant,” “specialist,” “supervisor” or “manager,” but those words alone do not decide your NOC. The official duties matter more.

Choosing the NOC with the best TEER instead of the best match

Some applicants try to move from TEER 4 to TEER 3, or from a non qualifying occupation to a qualifying one, by choosing a NOC with better immigration value. This is risky if the actual duties do not match.

Using the old 4 digit NOC

Express Entry now uses NOC 2021 with 5 digit codes and TEER categories. Do not use the old Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or Skill Level B language as your main classification.

Assuming all TEER 2 and TEER 3 jobs qualify for Federal Skilled Trades

Federal Skilled Trades is limited to specific trade groups. A job being TEER 2 or TEER 3 does not automatically make it eligible for FSTP.

Using TEER 4 or TEER 5 work for Express Entry skilled work

TEER 4 and TEER 5 work usually cannot be used as qualifying skilled work for Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class.

Ignoring the exclusions section

The exclusions section can show that a similar job belongs in a different NOC. Always check it before finalizing your code.

Treating forum percentages as official rules

There is no confirmed official percentage of duties that must match. Use IRCC’s wording: lead statement, most main duties and essential duties where applicable.

Copying the NOC duties word for word

There is no official rule confirmed that copied wording alone causes refusal. But your reference letter should honestly describe what you actually did. If the wording looks forced or does not reflect your real role, it can create problems.

Assuming wage decides the NOC

Wage can be useful context, especially on Job Bank, but no official Express Entry rule was confirmed that a specific wage automatically proves a NOC. The NOC choice should be based on the real duties and official NOC profile.

Questions people actually ask

Q: My job title is TEER 4, but my duties look like TEER 3. Can I choose TEER 3?

Possibly, but only if the TEER 3 NOC genuinely matches your actual work. You should not rewrite or stretch your duties just to make the job qualify. IRCC looks at whether your work matches the lead statement and main duties of the NOC.

Q: Does IRCC look at my job title or my job duties?

Your job duties are central. Your job title can help, but it is not enough by itself. The title should make sense with the duties, but the NOC match should be based on the lead statement and main duties.

Q: How many NOC duties must match?

There is no official percentage. The official wording is most main duties, and the Express Entry Ministerial Instructions refer to a substantial number of the main duties, including all essential duties.

Q: Can I copy the duties from the NOC website into my reference letter?

Your reference letter should describe your real work. It is normal for some wording to be similar if the NOC is correct, but copying duties without reflecting your actual role can be risky.

Q: What if my employer will not include enough duties in the reference letter?

This is a common problem. Your work experience letter should support the NOC you are claiming. If the letter does not clearly show the lead statement and most main duties, the officer may not be satisfied that the work matches the NOC.

Q: Do I need to meet the employment requirements listed in the NOC?

This depends on the program and the occupation. For Federal Skilled Trades, IRCC specifically says you must meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the NOC, except for needing a certificate of qualification.

Q: Can I use more than one NOC in Express Entry?

You may have work experience in more than one NOC. But for Federal Skilled Worker, your primary occupation must meet the program’s work experience rules, including at least 1 year of continuous paid work in the same NOC within the last 10 years.

Q: If my NOC is TEER 3, can I still use it for Express Entry?

Yes, TEER 3 can qualify for Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class if all other program requirements are met. For Federal Skilled Trades, the occupation must also be in one of the eligible trade groups listed by IRCC.

Official source: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply.html)

Q: Does a manager NOC work if I am not officially a manager?

Only if the duties and responsibilities genuinely match that manager NOC. A title like “manager” is not enough. At the same time, not having the word “manager” in your title does not automatically disqualify you if the actual duties match.

A practical checklist before choosing your NOC

Before you finalize your NOC, ask yourself:

  1. Am I using a 5 digit NOC 2021 code?
  2. Did I confirm the code on the official NOC website?
  3. Does my job fit the lead statement?
  4. Do my real duties match most of the main duties?
  5. Did I check the exclusions section?
  6. Is the TEER level eligible for my Express Entry program?
  7. Does my reference letter support the NOC I selected?
  8. Am I choosing this NOC because it is accurate, not because it gives a better result?
  9. Did I avoid relying on unofficial duty match percentages?
  10. Did I check whether my occupation may be relevant to category based selection?

When should you get help choosing a NOC?

You should be extra careful if:

  1. Your job title and duties point to different NOCs.
  2. Your role is close to TEER 3 or TEER 4.
  3. Your employer uses a generic title.
  4. You have duties from more than one occupation.
  5. Your reference letter is short or vague.
  6. You are relying on a manager or supervisor NOC.
  7. You are applying under a category based selection occupation.
  8. Your job is regulated, trade based or highly technical.

A wrong NOC can affect eligibility, CRS points connected to work experience, category based selection and the strength of your application documents.

How KGraph can help

KGraph Immigration can review your job duties, reference letter and Express Entry strategy to help identify whether your selected NOC and TEER category are consistent with official requirements.

KGraph is a licensed Canadian immigration and study abroad consultancy led by Mathews Benny, RCIC and CAPIC member.

Toronto and Scarborough WhatsApp: +1 416 989 7788Mississauga WhatsApp: +1 905 516 7920Kitchener WhatsApp: +1 226 753 5747Kochi, India WhatsApp: +91 94470 05776Email: info@kgraph.caEligibility check: (https://kgraph.ca/eligibility-check)

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Last verified July 2026. Reviewed by an RCIC. General information, not legal advice.

Prepared by KGraph Immigration Consultants. This guide is for informational purposes only. For personalized immigration advice, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

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