Canada classifies your work under the National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021). You choose the code by matching your main duties, not your US job title, to the lead statement and duties in a NOC unit group. You need the right code and TEER level for Express Entry eligibility, category-based draws and provincial programs. A wrong code is one of the most common reasons applications get refused.
This guide is for Americans and US-based workers building an Express Entry profile. It pairs with how IRCC counts work experience.
NOC 2021 and TEER in one minute
| TEER | What it usually means | Express Entry |
| TEER 0 | Management occupations | Eligible |
| TEER 1 | Usually requires a university degree | Eligible |
| TEER 2 | College diploma, apprenticeship of 2+ years, or supervisory roles | Eligible |
| TEER 3 | College diploma under 2 years or apprenticeship under 2 years | Eligible |
| TEER 4–5 | High school or on-the-job training | Not eligible for Express Entry |
How to find your code: step by step
- List your real duties. Write down what you actually do in a typical week, ordered by time spent.
- Search the NOC. Use the official NOC 2021 search on the Statistics Canada / Job Bank tools, searching by keywords from your duties rather than your title.
- Compare lead statements. Read the lead statement and main duties of two or three candidate unit groups.
- Pick the best match. Your duties should match the lead statement and most of the main duties. Exact wording is not required.
- Mirror it in your reference letter. Your US employer letter must describe duties that support the code you chose.
Common US job titles and likely NOC codes
| US job title | Likely NOC 2021 unit group | Check |
| Software Engineer | 21231 Software engineers and designers, or 21232 Software developers and programmers | Design and architecture vs coding focus |
| Data Scientist | 21211 Data scientists | Modelling and ML vs reporting (could be 21223) |
| Web Developer | 21234 Web developers and programmers | Front-end and back-end web work |
| Registered Nurse | 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | Licensing is needed to work, not to claim the experience |
| Accountant / Auditor | 11100 Financial auditors and accountants | Not bookkeeping (a lower TEER) |
| Electrician | 72200 Electricians (except industrial and power system) | Industrial work may be 72201 |
| Welder | 72106 Welders and related machine operators | Trades category eligibility |
Why the right code matters even more in 2026
- Category-based draws (healthcare, trades, French, senior managers and others) select by NOC code. See the Senior Managers category and the healthcare draw breakdown.
- Provincial programs target specific occupations. See PNPs for US residents.
- Officers compare your letters to the NOC description. A mismatch can lead to refusal for misrepresentation or ineligibility. See what happens after an ITA.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim a different NOC than my US job title suggests?
Yes. Choose by duties. Your reference letters must support the duties behind the code.
What if my job combines two occupations?
Choose the unit group that covers most of your main duties, and describe your duties accurately.
Do I need a separate NOC for each job?
Yes. Each period of work experience is assessed against its own NOC code.
Does TEER 4 or 5 experience count for Express Entry?
No. Express Entry requires TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 experience.
Can I change my NOC after creating my profile?
Yes, before you’re invited. After an ITA, your application must match what you claimed, so get it right early.
