Quick answer: To find the correct NOC code for Canadian immigration, start with your job title, then verify the main duties on the official NOC 2021 website. IRCC says the duties must match what you actually did at the job. Do not choose a code only because the title sounds similar.
Canada uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system to identify occupations by their training, education, experience and responsibilities, known as TEER. Your five-digit NOC code and TEER category can affect which immigration pathways may be available to you.
Written and reviewed by Usman Khalil, RCIC R709592 | CPA Ontario C83028834. Official IRCC and NOC sources were rechecked on September 29, 2026. Immigration program rules can change, so the current government source controls.
How to Find Your NOC Code in 5 Steps
- Write down what you actually do. List your regular duties, responsibilities, level of responsibility and the type of work you perform.
- Search your job title. Use IRCC’s Find your NOC page or the official National Occupational Classification website.
- Open the closest NOC result. Record the five-digit NOC code and the TEER category.
- Compare the main duties. IRCC specifically tells applicants to make sure the main duties match what they did at the job. When they do not match, look for a different occupational classification.
- Check the immigration program separately. Finding your NOC does not by itself prove that you qualify for Express Entry, a PNP, a work permit or another program. Use the NOC as the occupation classification, then apply the rules of the program you are using.
NOC Code vs TEER: What Is the Difference?
The NOC code identifies the occupation. The TEER category describes the broad level of training, education, experience and responsibility normally associated with that occupation.
| TEER | Broad description under NOC 2021 | Simple example |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Management occupations | Financial managers |
| 1 | Occupations that usually require a university degree | Software engineers |
| 2 | Occupations that usually require a college diploma, longer apprenticeship training, or supervisory work | Computer network technicians |
| 3 | Occupations that usually require a shorter college program, shorter apprenticeship training, or substantial on-the-job training | Administrative assistants |
| 4 | Occupations that usually require secondary school or several weeks of on-the-job training | Home child care providers |
| 5 | Occupations that usually rely on short work demonstration and generally have no formal education requirement | Landscaping labourers |
Important: TEER is not an immigration approval score. Different programs use NOC and TEER in different ways. Confirm the rules for the exact program you plan to use.
Match Duties, Not Just the Job Title
Job titles can be misleading. Two employers may use the same title for very different work, while two people doing similar work may have different internal titles.
For immigration purposes, a stronger NOC analysis starts with the work itself:
- What were your core day-to-day responsibilities?
- What decisions were you responsible for?
- Did you supervise staff?
- What products, services, systems or clients did you work with?
- Which duties were occasional and which were central to the job?
- Does the official NOC description reflect the substance of your employment?
This is also why your NOC choice should be consistent with your employment evidence. For Express Entry files, see MAK’s CEC Work Experience Evidence guide for reference-letter, duties, payroll and supporting-document issues.
NOC Matching Worksheet
Before selecting a code, compare your facts against the official description rather than relying on a title search alone.
| Question | Your evidence | What to compare on the NOC site |
|---|---|---|
| What is your actual job title? | Employment letter, contract, pay records | Occupation titles and related titles |
| What are your main duties? | Reference letter, job description, work records | Main duties in the NOC description |
| What level of responsibility do you have? | Reporting structure, supervision, decision-making | Occupation description and TEER context |
| What NOC code appears to fit? | Your proposed five-digit code | NOC 2021 Version 1.0 |
| What TEER applies? | Recorded after confirming the NOC | Official TEER category |
Common NOC Selection Mistakes
1. Choosing the code from the title alone
A title is a starting point, not the complete analysis. IRCC’s own instructions direct applicants to check whether the main duties match the work they performed.
2. Using an old NOC version
IRCC moved to NOC 2021 on November 16, 2022. Older NOC 2016 codes should not be treated as the current classification without checking the NOC 2021 conversion and current program instructions.
3. Picking a TEER first and forcing the duties into it
TEER is attached to the occupation. Start by identifying the occupation that matches the work, then record the TEER assigned to that NOC.
4. Treating the NOC code as proof of program eligibility
A correct NOC is only one part of an immigration analysis. Express Entry, the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program and provincial programs each have their own requirements.
5. Ignoring inconsistent employment evidence
Your selected NOC, reference letter and factual work history should describe the same employment. A code that looks favourable but does not fit the evidence can create an avoidable credibility and eligibility problem.
What If Two NOC Codes Look Possible?
Do not decide by comparing only one or two matching duties. Look at the overall substance of the job and the official occupation descriptions.
A useful comparison is:
- List your five to ten most important duties.
- Open both NOC descriptions on the official website.
- Mark which description better reflects the main work you actually performed.
- Check whether your reference letter and other employment records support that same description.
- Then confirm how the chosen NOC affects the immigration program you intend to use.
Where the choice between two occupations could change eligibility, a professional review can be more useful than relying on a job-title search.
How NOC Codes Connect to Express Entry and PNPs
Immigration programs use occupational classification for different purposes. Some programs focus on TEER levels, some select particular occupations, and some provincial streams publish occupation-specific criteria.
After confirming your NOC, review the rules for the pathway you are considering:
Do not assume that a NOC being eligible in one program makes it eligible in another.
Official NOC Search: Which Source Should You Trust?
Use the Government of Canada sources as the controlling reference:
- IRCC: Find your National Occupational Classification (NOC)
- Government of Canada National Occupational Classification website
IRCC notes that its own table is for reference and that, where there is a conflict, the NOC website should be treated as correct.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my NOC code in Canada?
Search your job title on the official IRCC/NOC website, record the five-digit NOC code, then confirm that the main duties match the work you actually performed.
Should I choose my NOC by job title or duties?
Use the title to search, but use the duties to verify the match. IRCC expressly tells applicants to make sure the main duties match what they did at the job.
What NOC version does Canada use in 2026?
IRCC uses the 2021 National Occupational Classification system. It switched to NOC 2021 on November 16, 2022.
What is a TEER category?
TEER refers to training, education, experience and responsibilities. NOC 2021 groups occupations into TEER categories 0 through 5.
Can two jobs have different NOC codes even when the titles are similar?
Yes. The classification depends on the occupation and duties, not simply the employer’s internal title.
What if my duties are split between two occupations?
Compare the overall substance of the job with the official NOC descriptions. When the NOC choice could affect eligibility, document the analysis and consider a case-specific review rather than forcing a match.
Does finding my NOC code mean I qualify for Express Entry?
No. A NOC code classifies your occupation. Express Entry eligibility depends on the requirements of the program under which you qualify.
Need a Case-Specific NOC Review?
Where your title, duties and reference letter do not point clearly to one NOC, MAK can review the employment facts against the current NOC framework and the immigration pathway you plan to use.
Book a consultation with a licensed Canadian immigration consultant.
This guide is general information, not a determination of your NOC or immigration eligibility. The correct classification depends on the facts of the employment and the current government sources.
