2025 Complete Canada Healthcare NOC Codes List for Express Entry & PNPs
For internationally educated healthcare professionals, understanding Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system is the first step to a successful immigration journey. Your NOC code is your professional identity in the eyes of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)—it determines your eligibility for programs like Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
This definitive 2025 guide provides the complete, updated list of healthcare NOC codes, helping you identify your correct occupation and navigate your path to Canadian permanent residence.
Why Your NOC Code is Critical for Canadian Immigration
Your NOC code is more than just a number; it’s a key that unlocks specific immigration pathways:
- Express Entry Eligibility: You must have skilled work experience (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
- Category-Based Draws: IRCC holds targeted draws for healthcare occupations. Using the correct NOC code ensures you are considered.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Provinces use NOC codes to identify in-demand occupations for their streams.
- Job Offer Requirements: Your job offer in Canada must match an eligible NOC code.
Understanding the NOC TEER System
Canada’s NOC system categorizes jobs based on the type of education, experience, and responsibilities required. The system uses “TEER” (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) instead of the old “skill level.” For healthcare immigration, you typically need experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- TEER 0: Management occupations (e.g., Healthcare Manager)
- TEER 1: Usually requires a university degree (e.g., Physician, Dentist)
- TEER 2: Usually requires a college diploma or apprenticeship training (e.g., Registered Nurse, Physiotherapist)
- TEER 3: Usually requires a college diploma or apprenticeship training (e.g., Licensed Practical Nurse, Medical Sonographer)
Complete List of Healthcare NOC Codes for 2025 Immigration
Here is the comprehensive list of healthcare occupations, organized by field, that are eligible for Canadian economic immigration programs.
🏥 Physicians, Dentists & Veterinarians
- NOC 31100 – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- Includes: Cardiologists, Anesthesiologists, Dermatologists, Psychiatrists, Radiologists
- NOC 31101 – Specialists in surgery
- Includes: General Surgeons, Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurosurgeons, Cardiovascular Surgeons
- NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
- NOC 31103 – Veterinarians
- NOC 31110 – Dentists
- NOC 31111 – Optometrists
- NOC 31112 – Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- NOC 31120 – Pharmacists
- NOC 31121 – Dietitians and nutritionists
👨⚕️ Nursing & Allied Health Professionals (TEER 1)
- NOC 31300 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- NOC 31301 – Nurse practitioners
- NOC 31302 – Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals
- NOC 32100 – Opticians
- NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
- NOC 32102 – Paramedical occupations
- NOC 32103 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists
- NOC 32104 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
- NOC 32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- NOC 32110 – Denturists
- NOC 32111 – Dental technicians
- NOC 32112 – Dental assistants
- NOC 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
- NOC 32121 – Medical radiation technologists
- NOC 32122 – Medical sonographers
- NOC 32123 – Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- NOC 32124 – Pharmacy technicians
- NOC 32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians
- NOC 32200 – Chiropractors
- NOC 32201 – Physiotherapists
- NOC 32209 – Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
🩺 Healthcare Support Occupations (TEER 2 & 3)
- NOC 33100 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists
- NOC 33101 – Medical laboratory technologists
- NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
- NOC 33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- NOC 33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services
- NOC 43200 – Sheriffs and bailiffs
🏠 Home Health & Senior Care Support
- NOC 44100 – Home child care providers
- NOC 44101 – Home support workers, caregivers, and related occupations
*Note: While NOC 44100 and 44101 are eligible for specific caregiver pilots, they are not typically targeted in general healthcare category-based draws.*
How to Find and Confirm Your NOC Code
Finding your correct NOC code is a straightforward process:
- Visit the Official NOC Website: Go to the ESDC NOC website.
- Search by Job Title: Use the search bar to enter your job title (e.g., “Registered Nurse”).
- Verify the Lead Statement & Duties: Click on the suggested NOC code and read the “lead statement” and “main duties.” Your experience must match a significant number of these duties.
- Note the TEER Category & Code: Ensure you have the correct 5-digit code (e.g., 31300) and TEER category (e.g., TEER 1).
Using Your NOC Code for Immigration: Key 2025 Programs
1. Express Entry Category-Based Selection
Healthcare is a top-priority category for Express Entry draws. If you have work experience in one of the NOC codes listed above, you could receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) with a significantly lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Top-targeted NOC codes for category-based draws often include:
- NOC 31300 – Registered nurses
- NOC 31301 – Nurse practitioners
- NOC 31102 – General practitioners
- NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
- NOC 33102 – Nurse aides & orderlies
2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Healthcare Streams
Almost every province has a PNP stream targeting healthcare workers. You must ensure your NOC code matches the province’s in-demand occupation list.
- Ontario: Frequently invites NOC 31300, 33102, and others.
- British Columbia: Holds weekly healthcare draws for a wide range of NOC codes.
- Saskatchewan: Targets NOCs like 31300, 32101, and 33101 through its International Health Worker EOI pool.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Choosing the Wrong NOC Code: Do not select a code based solely on the job title. Please read the main duties to ensure they align with your experience.
- Mismatched Job Offer: The NOC code of your Canadian job offer must be consistent with your past work experience for immigration purposes.
- Insufficient Documentation: Your reference letters must clearly describe duties that match the NOC description. Vague letters can lead to refusal.
Your 2025 NOC Code Action Plan
- Identify 2-3 potential NOC codes that match your work experience.
- Read the full lead statement and main duties for each code on the official NOC website.
- Select the ONE primary NOC code that best matches the majority of your duties.
- Ensure your reference letters from current and previous employers detail duties that align with this NOC code.
- Use this NOC code consistently across all immigration applications (Express Entry profile, PNP applications).
Having the correct NOC code is fundamental to a successful Canadian immigration application. By using this guide to identify your code accurately, you position yourself to take full advantage of the numerous pathways available to healthcare professionals in 2025.
Your skills are in high demand. Use the right NOC code to unlock your Canadian future!
