TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 Jobs in Canada: The Complete Express Entry Eligibility Guide

If you're researching Express Entry, you've almost certainly bumped into the phrase "TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3" and if you're like most applicants, your next question is: what does that actually mean, and does my job qualify?

This is one of the most common eligibility questions we see at Up Immigration, and it's also one of the most consequential. Your job's TEER level determines whether you can apply through Express Entry at all, which programs you qualify for, and how many CRS points your work experience earns. Get it wrong, and you can spend months preparing an application IRCC will refuse on the first review.

This guide breaks down the entire TEER system: what each level means, the kinds of jobs that fall into each category, how Express Entry treats them, and the practical steps to confirm your own TEER level before you commit to applying.

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What is TEER, and why does it matter for Express Entry?

TEER stands for Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities. It's the framework Statistics Canada uses to classify every occupation in the Canadian labour market under the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

The current version is NOC 2021, which IRCC has used for all Express Entry decisions since November 16, 2022. NOC 2021 replaced the older "skill type / skill level" system (Skill Type 0, A, B, C, D) with a five-tier structure: TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

For Express Entry, only TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 are considered "skilled" work experience. If your job sits in TEER 4 or 5, you can't use that experience for any of the three federal economic programs: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or Federal Skilled Trades (FST).

That single fact is why the TEER level of your job is the first thing every Express Entry applicant should verify before language tests, before ECA, before anything else.

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The TEER decoder: what each level means

Here's the practical version of how TEER levels are defined under NOC 2021:

TEER	Typical training/education requirement	Typical job examples
0	Management occupations, broad managerial responsibility	Restaurant managers, IT managers, financial managers, construction managers, marketing managers
1	University degree (bachelor's, master's, or doctorate)	Software engineers, civil engineers, registered nurses, accountants, lawyers, secondary school teachers
2	College diploma (2–3 years) OR apprenticeship training (2–5 years) OR supervisory roles	Computer network technicians, registered practical nurses, electricians, plumbers, chefs, police officers
3	College program (less than 2 years) OR apprenticeship (less than 2 years) OR six months of on-the-job training plus secondary school	Bakers, dental assistants, transport truck drivers, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, home support workers
4	Secondary school plus several weeks of on-the-job training	Retail salespersons, food and beverage servers, security guards, janitors
5	None or less than secondary school	Agricultural labourers, cleaners, light-duty equipment operators

Key takeaway: TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 = eligible for Express Entry. TEER 4 and 5 = not eligible.

TEER 0 jobs in Canada: Management occupations

TEER 0 is the most senior level, reserved for managerial roles with broad responsibility across a department or organization.

• Branch managers
• IT managers and systems managers
• Financial managers
• Construction managers
• Marketing managers
• HR managers
• Supply chain managers
• Retail store managers

If your role involves managing a team or department and reporting to C-level executives, you likely qualify for TEER 0. The key is that you have broad budgetary or operational responsibility, not just supervisory duties.

TEER 1 jobs in Canada: University degree professionals

TEER 1 covers professional occupations that require a minimum bachelor's degree from a university.

• Software engineers and developers
• Civil, mechanical, electrical engineers
• Registered nurses (RN, not RPN)
• Accountants and auditors
• Lawyers and legal professionals
• Teachers (secondary and post-secondary)
• Data scientists and analysts
• Pharmacists
• Psychologists
• Architects

TEER 1 is the most common category for Express Entry applicants, as it covers most professional roles that CRS-conscious candidates pursue.

TEER 2 jobs in Canada: College diplomas, trades, supervisors

TEER 2 includes occupations that require college diplomas (2–3 years), apprenticeship training (2–5 years), or supervisory roles.

• Computer network technicians
• Registered practical nurses (RPN)
• Licensed electricians
• Licensed plumbers
• Chefs and head cooks
• Police officers and detectives
• Dental hygienists
• Paramedics
• Welders (certified)
• Automotive technicians

TEER 2 is the sweet spot for skilled trades and college-educated professionals. If your role required a trade certification or a 2–3-year college program, you likely qualify here.

TEER 3 jobs in Canada: Shorter college programs and apprenticeships

TEER 3 covers occupations requiring college programs (less than 2 years), shorter apprenticeships (less than 2 years), or on-the-job training (six months or more) plus secondary school.

• Bakers and pastry chefs
• Dental assistants
• Transport truck drivers
• Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
• Home support workers
• Early childhood educators
• Medical laboratory technicians
• Security officers
• Heavy equipment operators
• Cook (short-term program)

TEER 3 is the lowest skilled category eligible for Express Entry. It includes roles that have formal training but don't require the depth of TEER 2.

What about TEER 4 and TEER 5?

TEER 4 and 5 are NOT eligible for Express Entry. Period. These levels cover roles that require only secondary school plus brief on-the-job training (TEER 4) or no formal training at all (TEER 5).

Common TEER 4 occupations:

• Retail salespersons
• Food and beverage servers
• Cashiers
• General labourers
• Janitors and cleaners
• Security guards (no formal training)
• Stock clerks
• Delivery drivers (car/van)

If your work experience is in TEER 4 or 5, Express Entry closed door. You'd need to explore other pathways like employer sponsorship, provincial programs, or family sponsorship.

How to find your job's TEER level (the right way)

The #1 mistake candidates make: assuming their job fits a TEER level based on the job title. Job titles lie. A "manager" in one company might be TEER 0, in another it's supervisory TEER 2.

Here's the official process:

1. Go to the NOC 2021 lookup tool: www.noc.esdc.gc.ca (official Government of Canada site)
2. Search your job title or describe your duties (the tool will suggest matching NOC codes)
3. Read the "Main duties" section for each NOC code match. Your actual job duties must align closely.
4. Verify the TEER level listed for that NOC code
5. Download and save the NOC code and TEER level — you'll need this for your Express Entry application

The tool also shows:

• Typical education required
• Typical experience required
• Expected wage range in Canada
• Whether the occupation is in-demand

Critical: IRCC will verify your NOC code during assessment. If your job duties don't actually match the code you claimed, your application can be refused. Take this step seriously.

Common edge cases and pitfalls

1. You were a "manager" but didn't manage people

Some companies use "manager" titles for individual contributor roles (sales managers, project managers in small teams). If your duties don't include hiring, budgeting, or strategic decision-making, you might be TEER 1 or 2, not TEER 0.

2. Your role straddles two TEER levels

Some occupations have split NOC codes depending on duties. For example:

• Nurses: Registered Nurse (RN) = TEER 1, Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) = TEER 2
• Cook: Head cook/Chef = TEER 2, Cook (short training) = TEER 3, Food prep = TEER 4
• IT roles: Systems analyst = TEER 1, Network technician = TEER 2

Solution: Use the NOC tool to find the exact code that matches your daily duties, not your job title.

3. Your foreign education doesn't map directly to Canadian TEER

You have a 3-year college diploma from Brazil, but Canada's equivalent is a 2-year program (TEER 2 vs. TEER 3). The NOC tool classifies by Canadian standards, not by your origin country's system.

4. You have more education than the TEER level requires

You have a master's degree but work as a cook (TEER 3). TEER is based on the job, not your credentials. Your role stays TEER 3, but your education boosters your CRS score separately.

Putting it all together

Your job's TEER level is non-negotiable for Express Entry eligibility. Here's the action plan:

1. Verify your NOC code and TEER level using the official tool before you invest in language tests or ECA
2. If TEER 4 or 5: Stop. Express Entry isn't your path. Explore employer sponsorship (LMO/LMIA), provincial nominee programs, or other options.
3. If TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3: Proceed with Express Entry prep. Calculate your CRS score, identify gaps (language, education, job offer, provincial nomination), and build your strategy.
4. Document everything: Keep your job offer letter, employment contract, and proof of duties matching your NOC code. IRCC will ask.
5. Use the NOC code (not title) on your Express Entry profile — this is what IRCC matches to the program's job list.

Getting this right upfront saves you months of wasted effort and thousands in unnecessary tests or credentials. Verify first, apply second.