Find Your NOC Code: Match Your Job to the Right Canadian Occupation Code
Your NOC code decides how IRCC and the provinces read your work experience. Pick it by your real duties, not your job title. Use the free finder below, then let us check your match before you apply.
since 1991
The key facts at a glance
- System
- NOC 2021, used by IRCC since 16 November 2022
- TEER levels
- 6 levels, from TEER 0 (management) to TEER 5
- Express Entry
- FSWP and CEC need skilled work in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3
- What decides your code
- Your duties, not your job title
- Finder tool
- Free below, with all 516 unit groups
What is a NOC code?
A NOC code is a 5-digit number from the National Occupational Classification. It names your job by its duties and by the training it needs. IRCC uses it to judge your work experience (IRCC, 2025).
Canada switched to NOC 2021 on 16 November 2022. NOC 2026 is in development, so IRCC still asks for NOC 2021 today.
Why does the wrong code matter?
IRCC checks that your duties match the lead statement and most of the main duties of your NOC. A mismatch can delay your file or end it. Your job title alone never settles the question.
What a correct code gets you
- Accurate eligibility: you know whether your work counts as TEER 0 to 3 before you pay for tests
- A matching file: your reference letters, profile and job offer all point to the same code
- Fewer questions: your duties line up with the NOC lead statement and main duties
- Better program choices: your TEER decides which routes you can use
Does your NOC code need a second look?
An honest check before you submit a profile or an application.
A second look helps if you have
- A generic job title such as manager or coordinator
- Duties that fit two or more NOC codes
- A job that changed over the last few years
- A foreign job title that does not exist in Canada
You can likely self-check if you have
- A title and duties that clearly match one NOC lead statement
- A reference letter whose duties mirror that NOC
- A TEER level that already meets your program
Next, see how your TEER fits the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
How to choose your NOC code
Follow these five checks in order. They match the process IRCC describes: your duties must match the lead statement and most of the main duties.
List your duties
Write what you do every day in plain verbs. Include tasks, tools and who you report to. Do not copy your job title.
Search the finder
Search by title, keyword or code. Check at least three possible matches, not only the first one.
Match the lead statement
Your work must fit the lead statement and most of the main duties of the NOC. If it does not, find a different code.
Check the TEER level
Your TEER decides which routes you can use. The FSWP and CEC need TEER 0 to 3 work. The Atlantic Immigration Program accepts offers in TEER 0 to 4, and the community pilots in TEER 0 to 5.
Document your match
Keep a one-page table that sets your duties beside the main duties of the NOC. Your reference letters should tell the same story.
Not sure which code fits?
Bring your reference letter and your job duties. We compare them with the NOC line by line.
What each TEER level means
TEER 0: Management
Management occupations, such as senior managers and financial managers.
TEER 1: University
Jobs that usually need a university degree, such as software engineers and registered nurses.
TEER 2: College or apprenticeship
Jobs that usually need a college program of 2 to 3 years, apprenticeship training of 2 to 5 years, or supervisory duties. Many trades sit here.
TEER 3: Short training
Jobs that usually need a college program or apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training.
TEER 4: High school
Jobs that usually need a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training.
TEER 5: No formal education
Jobs that need only a short work demonstration and no formal education.
See which programs use your code
Your NOC and TEER feed into each of these routes. Then see if your NOC is on a category list with the category and occupation finder.
Proof that backs up your code
Your documents must tell the same story as your NOC match. A mismatch can delay your file.
Reference letters
Letters on company letterhead that show your dates, duties, hours per week, salary and employer contact details.
Employment contracts
Contracts or offer letters that show your title, duties and start date.
Pay records
Pay stubs, T4 slips or tax records that confirm your hours and pay.
Work permits
For jobs in Canada, a valid work permit that covers the whole period you claim.
Duty comparison table
Your own table that sets each duty you performed beside the main duties of the NOC.
Want your NOC checked?
We compare your duties, reference letters and TEER with the NOC before you apply.
How to find your NOC code, step by step
Six steps from your first search to your profile.
List your duties
Write what you do each day in plain verbs. Ignore your job title for now.
Search by title and keyword
Try your title, then keywords from your duties. Shortlist at least three codes.
Match the lead statement
Read each shortlisted code. Keep the one whose lead statement and main duties fit your work.
Confirm the TEER level
Check that the TEER meets your program. Express Entry skilled work means TEER 0 to 3.
Align your documents
Ask your employer for a reference letter whose duties mirror the NOC. Keep contracts and pay records.
Use the code in your file
Use the same code in your profile, application and job offer forms. Never switch codes between documents.
Five mistakes that sink a NOC match
Officers compare your duties with the NOC. These mistakes break that match.
Choosing by job title
Titles are often generic or company-specific. Match your duties first.
Taking the first result
The top result is not always the best fit. Compare at least three codes.
Copying a friend's code
Two people with the same title often do different work. Use your own duties.
Reaching for a higher TEER
A code above your real work can hurt your credibility and your file.
Ignoring job changes
If your duties changed, different periods may need different codes. Ask us before you split them.
NOC facts at a glance
Key facts from IRCC and the NOC 2021 classification.
Find your NOC code
Search the full NOC 2021 list by job title, keyword or code. Last updated: October 2026. This lookup is general guidance. Your duties decide the code, not your title.
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Find Your NOC Code FAQs
What is a NOC code?
A NOC code is a 5-digit number from the National Occupational Classification. It names your job by its duties and the training it needs. IRCC and the provinces use it to judge your work experience.
Which NOC version does IRCC use?
IRCC has used NOC 2021 since 16 November 2022. NOC 2026 is in development, so check the IRCC guidance for the version in force on the day you apply.
What is a TEER level?
TEER stands for training, education, experience and responsibilities. It sorts jobs into 6 levels, from TEER 0 for management to TEER 5 for jobs that need only a short work demonstration.
How do I find my NOC code?
List your real duties, search the finder by title and keywords, and read at least three matches. Pick the code whose lead statement and main duties fit your work. Keep a table that shows the match.
Can I pick my NOC code by job title?
No. Your duties must match the lead statement and most of the main duties of the NOC, and job titles are often generic. If the duties do not match, you need a different code.
What if my job fits more than one NOC code?
Choose the code that best fits the lead statement and most of your main duties. If your job changed over time, different periods can have different codes. Ask us before you split them.
Which TEER levels count for Express Entry?
The Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class need skilled work in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3. The Federal Skilled Trades Program uses a list of trade NOC groups. Check each program page for the details.
Does my job offer need a NOC code?
Yes. Your job offer shows a NOC code and TEER, and they must match your duties. The Atlantic Immigration Program accepts offers in TEER 0 to 4, and the community pilots in TEER 0 to 5.
What documents prove my NOC match?
Reference letters, contracts, pay records and, for Canadian jobs, work permits. Letters should show your dates, duties, hours per week, salary and employer contact details.
Can you check my NOC code?
Yes. Book a Strategy Consultation and bring your reference letters. We compare your duties with the NOC line by line before you apply.
