Canada uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system
to classify occupations according to their Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER). The TEER system has six
categories, from TEER 0 to TEER 5. The TEER category of an occupation can be
important for Canadian immigration programs because different programs may have
specific occupational or work-experience requirements.
Express Entry: Only occupations classified under TEER 0,
1, 2, and 3 are eligible.
MPNP Skilled Worker Stream: Occupations under
all TEER categories (0 to 5) may qualify, subject to program requirements.
MPNP Career Employment Pathway: Occupations under
TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 may qualify, subject to the pathway’s specific eligibility
requirements.
Key Difference: Express Entry excludes TEER 4 and 5 work
experience, while the MPNP Skilled Worker Stream may accept all TEER categories
(0 to 5). However, the Career Employment Pathway generally requires TEER 0 to 3
occupations.
TEER Category | General Requirements | Examples of
Occupations |
TEER 0 | Management occupations. | Financial managers; Advertising,
marketing and public relations managers |
TEER 1 | Usually requires a university
degree, such as a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate, or equivalent previous
experience and expertise. | Financial advisors; Software
engineers |
TEER 2 | Usually requires a 2–3 year
college program, apprenticeship training of 2–5 years, supervisory
responsibilities, significant safety responsibilities, or relevant experience
from a TEER 3 occupation. | Computer network and web
technicians; Medical laboratory technologists |
TEER 3 | Usually requires a post-secondary
program of less than 2 years, apprenticeship training of less than 2 years,
more than 6 months of on-the-job training, or relevant experience from a TEER
4 occupation. | Bakers; Dental assistants and
dental laboratory assistants |
TEER 4 | Usually requires secondary school
or several weeks of on-the-job training. | Home child care providers; Retail
salespersons and visual merchandisers |
TEER 5 | Usually requires a short work
demonstration and generally has no formal educational requirement. | Landscaping and grounds
maintenance labourers; Delivery service drivers and door-to-door distributors |
Frequently Asked
Questions
How Is the TEER Category Identified?
Under NOC 2021, the second digit of the five-digit NOC code identifies
the TEER category. For example, if the second digit is 2, the occupation
is generally classified as TEER 2.
Is TEER 0 the
highest TEER category?
Yes, TEER 0 is used for management
occupations. TEER 1 generally covers professional occupations requiring
university education, while TEER 2 to TEER 5 reflect different combinations of
education, training, experience and responsibility.
Does a higher TEER
automatically mean a person is eligible for immigration?
No. TEER is only one part of eligibility.
Each immigration program has its own requirements relating to work experience,
language ability, education, job offers and other factors.
Can two similar job
titles have different TEER categories?
Yes. The correct NOC and TEER should be
determined by the actual duties and responsibilities, not simply by the job
title.
To identify the most appropriate NOC code for your job, book your consultation with Canadian immigration lawyer.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Written by:
Dr. Muhammad
Abrar (Barrister and
Solicitor)
Author | Writer | Mentor | Legal Researcher | Canadian Immigration Case Law and
Statistics Analyst
