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What is an NOC Code?

NOC code stands for the National Occupational Classification (NOC). It is used for standardizing the Canadian labor market, by assigning a nationally recognized four-digit code and job description to every occupation in the market.

These codes are used during immigration applications for identifying the work for one’s work experience. Every NOC code has a list of work duties and job titles linked with it as NOC occupations are arranged by skill type and skill level.

NOC Skill Types

The NOC Skill Type is used to recognize the occupation’s industry. NOC matrix’s 10 Skill Types are:

0 – Management occupations

1 – Finance, Administration and Business related occupations

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

3 – Health occupations

4 –Profession and work related to law, education, government, community and social, services

5 – Occupations related to fields of art, culture, recreation, and sports

6 – Sales and service occupations

7 – Work-related to transport, trades, equipment operators and other such occupations

8 – Occupation related to the usage of natural resources, agriculture work and other production-related works.

9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

NOC Skill Levels

Four skill levels in the NOC matrix are:

A: Work which requires university education.

B: Work that requires college education or apprenticeship training.

C: Work which requires secondary school and/or occupation-specific training.

D: Work which requires on-the-job training.

For Immigration Purposes

Skill Level A or B, or Skill Type 0 = high-skilled work

Skill Level C or D = low-skilled work

Additionally, a few immigration programs refer to semi-skilled work and include all occupations classified as NOC Skill Level A, B, or C, or in Skill Type 0.

To find their relevant NOC code, a candidate can use a tool created by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

In order to avoid possible confusion during the selection of a NOC code, we recommend you to connect with our licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs). Our experts will help select an appropriate NOC code as per your title and respective work duties.