NOC TEER Update (2021 System): Canada replaced the old NOC 2016 system with NOC 2021 TEER effective November 2022. All Express Entry and PNP applications now use the new TEER classification. Occupation codes are 5 digits (e.g., 21231 for Software Engineers).
TEER Level Breakdown & Express Entry Eligibility
| TEER Level | Education / Training | Sample Occupations | Express Entry Eligible? |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEER 0 | Management Occupations | Financial managers, IT managers, Engineers (senior), Restaurant managers | ✅ Yes |
| TEER 1 | University Degree Required | Software engineers, Physicians, Lawyers, Accountants, Nurses (RN) | ✅ Yes |
| TEER 2 | College Diploma / Apprenticeship 2+ Years | Dental hygienists, Licensed electricians, Plumbers, Welders (journeyman) | ✅ Yes |
| TEER 3 | College Diploma / Apprenticeship < 2 Years | Security guards (some), Dental assistants, Hairstylists (apprentice) | ❌ No (PNP only) |
| TEER 4 | High School Diploma or On-the-Job Training | Retail salespersons, Food counter attendants, Cashiers, Home childcare providers | ❌ No (PNP only) |
| TEER 5 | Short-Term Work Experience / No Formal Requirements | Landscapers, Babysitters (unlicensed), Newspaper carriers | ❌ No (PNP only) |
Key Rule: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) require at least TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. TEER 4 and 5 occupations are generally only eligible via Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).
Search Occupation & NOC Code
Showing 18 common occupations. For the complete NOC 2021 list, use the official ESDC NOC Search Tool.
Which Express Entry Stream Do You Qualify For?
| Stream | NOC TEER Required | Work Experience Required | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker (FSWP) | TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 | 1 year (continuous, paid, full-time) in past 10 years | Must score ≥67 points on FSWP selection factors |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | TEER 0, 1, or 2 (requires Canadian experience) | 1 year in Canada in past 3 years | Must have worked in Canada with valid authorization |
| Federal Skilled Trades (FSTP) | TEER 2 or 3 (specific trade occupations) | 2 years in a skilled trade in past 5 years | Must have job offer or certificate of qualification |
Category-Based Selection Draws (2026)
In addition to general draws, IRCC conducts Category-Based Selection draws that invite candidates with specific NOC codes. These draws often have lower CRS cut-off scores than general draws. The active categories in 2026 are:
- 🏥 Healthcare & Social Services: NOC codes 30010, 31100–31121, 32100–32104, 32111–32120, 33102 (doctors, nurses, dental hygienists, physiotherapists)
- 💻 STEM Occupations: NOC codes 21xxx series — software engineers, data scientists, IT managers, cybersecurity analysts
- 🇫🇷 French Language Proficiency: Any NOC TEER 0–3 occupation, provided the candidate has strong French CLB scores
- 🚛 Transport Occupations: NOC 72010, 73300, 73301 — transport truck drivers, aircraft mechanics (limited draws)
- 🔧 Trades: NOC 72200 (electricians), 72300 (plumbers), 72400 (pipefitters)
- 🌾 Agriculture & Agri-Food: NOC codes for butchers, food processing workers (via Agri-Food Pilot)
Important: Your occupation must match the duties described in the official NOC 2021 lead statement — not just the job title. IRCC officers review your Reference Letter (employment letter) to confirm your duties match the NOC description. A mismatch is a common reason for refusals.
🔗 Related Tools
📅 2026 Key Dates
- ✅ NOC 2021 TEER system in effect since Nov 2022
- ✅ Min. work experience increased to 12 months (Jan 2026)
- ✅ Category-based draws running bi-weekly
- ⚠️ Old NOC 2016 codes no longer accepted