NOC Code Finder: TEER Level, LMIA Check and Job Scams

Key takeaways

NOC 2021 codes have 5 digits: the 1st is the broad field, the 2nd is the TEER level (0 to 5)
TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 count as skilled work for Express Entry; TEER 4 and 5 do not
Your code must match your main duties, not just your job title
Employers with a positive LMIA are listed by ESDC every quarter (latest: January to March 2026)
Never pay for a job offer or an LMIA: employers must pay the $1,000 LMIA fee and cannot recover it from you

How to read a NOC code

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is Canada’s list of jobs. Since November 2022, IRCC uses NOC 2021, which has 516 unit groups (occupations). Each has a 5-digit code. Take 21232 Software developers and programmers:

Digits	Meaning	Example
1st	Broad occupational category (field of work)	2 = natural and applied sciences
2nd	TEER category	1 = usually needs a university degree
First 2	Major group	21 = professional jobs in natural and applied sciences
First 3	Sub-major group	212
First 4	Minor group	2123
All 5	Unit group (the occupation)	21232

The 10 broad categories run from 0 (legislative and senior management) to 9 (manufacturing and utilities).

What the TEER levels mean

TEER stands for Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities. It replaced the old skill levels (0, A, B, C, D) in NOC 2016.

TEER	What the job usually needs	Skilled for Express Entry?
0	Management jobs	Yes
1	A university degree	Yes
2	A college diploma or apprenticeship of 2 years or more, or a supervisory role	Yes
3	A college diploma or apprenticeship under 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training	Yes
4	High school, or several weeks of on-the-job training	No
5	A short work demonstration, no formal education	No

For the Canadian Experience Class, you need CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs. Some provincial programs and pilots accept TEER 4 and 5 jobs.

How to find the right NOC code

Search your job title on the official NOC site (ESDC).
Open the unit group and read the lead statement and main duties.
Choose the code where your real duties match most of the main duties. Your title does not decide it.
Check the exclusions, which point to similar jobs with other codes.
Ask your employer for a reference letter that lists your duties, hours, pay and dates. IRCC compares it with the NOC description.

A wrong code can lead to a refused application. If your duties fit two codes, pick the one that matches most of your work. Check if your code is in a 2026 category with the Express Entry category checker.

How to check an employer’s LMIA

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a decision from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that lets an employer hire a foreign worker. Ways to check an employer:

ESDC’s positive LMIA employers list. ESDC publishes it every quarter as open data, with the employer, location, NOC code, stream and number of approved positions. The latest file covers January to March 2026 (updated July 22, 2026). It does not list employers that use a person’s name, and it shows approvals, not job openings.
Job Bank. Employers who apply for most LMIAs must advertise the job on Job Bank for at least 4 weeks. Look up the median wage for your NOC code on Job Bank wages.
IRCC’s non-compliant employers list. It names employers that broke the rules for foreign workers.

A positive LMIA does not guarantee a work permit. IRCC still decides. Since March 25, 2025, a job offer also gives no extra CRS points in Express Entry.

Job-offer scam red flags

You are asked to pay. The LMIA fee is $1,000 per position, and ESDC says it cannot be paid by or recovered from the worker. Employers and their recruiters cannot charge you recruitment fees either.
Guarantees. IRCC says “No one can guarantee you a job or a visa to Canada.”
Payment to a personal account, by money transfer, gift cards or crypto.
Free email addresses and messages only on WhatsApp or social media.
Salary too good to be true, or an offer for a job you did not apply for.
Pressure to act fast or keep it secret.

If you think it is a scam, stop contact, do not pay, and report it to IRCC and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Read more in immigration scams and check any consultant with check a consultant’s licence.

Next steps

Score your profile with the CRS calculator.
If you studied abroad, get an ECA: see the ECA cost calculator.
Looking for work in Canada? Start with Canadian resume and job search and Job Bank and employment programs.

Common questions

What is my TEER level?

It is the second digit of your 5-digit NOC 2021 code. For example, 31301 Registered nurses is TEER 1, and 65100 Cashiers is TEER 5.

Which TEER levels count for Express Entry?

TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3. Work in TEER 4 or 5 jobs does not count as skilled work for the Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Worker program.

Can I choose a NOC code based on my job title?

No. Choose the code whose lead statement and main duties match what you actually do. IRCC compares your reference letters with the NOC description.

Is it legal to pay for an LMIA?

No. The $1,000 LMIA processing fee must be paid by the employer and cannot be recovered from the worker. Employers and recruiters working for them cannot charge you recruitment fees.

How do I check if an employer has a positive LMIA?

Search ESDC’s positive LMIA employers list on Canada’s open data portal. It is updated every quarter, so very recent approvals and employers using a person’s name may not appear.

Does a job offer give CRS points in 2026?

No. IRCC removed job offer (arranged employment) points for all Express Entry candidates on March 25, 2025.

Sources

Checked against these sources on October 5, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

NOC code and TEER finder, LMIA employer search and job-offer scam check

Your job and job offer

Your NOC result