Category-based Express Entry: NOC codes by category.
IRCC runs targeted Express Entry draws for people with experience in certain occupations. These are the 91 NOC codes on its lists, as published on 2026-10-16. French-language proficiency is also a category, but it has no occupation list.
Healthcare and social services occupations: 37 NOC codes
- 31100Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- 31101Specialists in surgery
- 31102General practitioners and family physicians
- 31103Veterinarians
- 31110Dentists
- 31111Optometrists
- 31112Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- 31120Pharmacists
- 31121Dietitians and nutritionists
- 31200Psychologists
- 31201Chiropractors
- 31202Physiotherapists
- 31203Occupational therapists
- 31209Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
- 31300Nursing coordinators and supervisors
- 31301Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- 31302Nurse practitioners
- 31303Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
- 32101Licensed practical nurses
- 32102Paramedical occupations
- 32103Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
- 32104Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
- 32109Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- 32111Dental hygienists and dental therapists
- 32120Medical laboratory technologists
- 32121Medical radiation technologists
- 32122Medical sonographers
- 32123Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- 32124Pharmacy technicians
- 32129Other medical technologists and technicians
- 32201Massage therapists
- 33101Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- 33102Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- 33103Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- 41300Social workers
- 41301Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
- 42201Social and community service workers
Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations: 11 NOC codes
- 20011Architecture and science managers
- 21220Cybersecurity specialists
- 21300Civil engineers
- 21301Mechanical engineers
- 21310Electrical and electronics engineers
- 21321Industrial and manufacturing engineers
- 21331Geological engineers
- 22300Civil engineering technologists and technicians
- 22301Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- 22310Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- 63100Insurance agents and brokers
Trade occupations: 25 NOC codes
- 22303Construction estimators
- 70010Construction managers
- 70011Home building and renovation managers
- 72100Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
- 72102Sheet metal workers
- 72106Welders and related machine operators
- 72200Electricians (except industrial and power system)
- 72201Industrial electricians
- 72300Plumbers
- 72302Gas fitters
- 72310Carpenters
- 72311Cabinetmakers
- 72320Bricklayers
- 72400Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- 72401Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- 72402Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
- 72422Electrical mechanics
- 72501Water well drillers
- 72999Other technical trades and related occupations
- 73100Concrete finishers
- 73110Roofers and shinglers
- 73112Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
- 73113Floor covering installers
- 82021Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
- 63201Butchers - retail and wholesale
Education occupations: 5 NOC codes
Transport occupations: 4 NOC codes
Physicians with Canadian work experience: 3 NOC codes
Needs Canadian work experience.
Senior managers with Canadian work experience: 4 NOC codes
Needs Canadian work experience.
- 00012Senior managers - financial, communications and other business services
- 00013Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
- 00014Senior managers - trade, broadcasting and other services
- 00015Senior managers - construction, transportation, production and utilities
Researchers with Canadian work experience: 2 NOC codes
Needs Canadian work experience.
Skilled military recruits: 3 NOC codes
Category-based draws: common questions
What is category-based Express Entry?
Category-based selection lets IRCC invite Express Entry candidates who share a skill, such as French ability or work experience in a listed occupation, instead of inviting only by CRS score. Each occupation category has a list of NOC codes.
How much work experience do I need in a listed occupation?
For the occupation categories, IRCC asks for at least 6 months of continuous, full-time (or equal part-time) work experience in one listed occupation within the last 3 years, in Canada or abroad. Some newer categories need Canadian experience. You must also be eligible for an Express Entry program.
How do I know if my job is in a category?
Find the NOC code your duties match, then check whether that code is in a list below. The job title alone is not enough: IRCC checks your duties against the NOC description.
IRCC changes these lists from time to time. Always confirm on IRCC's category-based selection page before you apply.
Is your job on a list?
Paste your duties to see which NOC code they match, then check it here.