National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

A

Statistics Canada's Trust Centre: Learn how Statistics Canada keeps your data safe and protects your privacy.

National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
Introduction
Hierarchical structure

4 - Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services

This broad category comprises managers in public administration, in education and social and community services and in public protection services, as well as occupations concerned with teaching, law, counselling, conducting social science research, developing government policy, and administering government and other programs, and related support occupations.

42 - Front-line public protection services and paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community, education services

This major group comprises front-line public protection services and paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community, education services. These occupations come with Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) identified as TEER 2. Occupations classified in TEER 2, as those included in this group with a 2 as the second digit of their code, typically require completion of a post-secondary education program of two to three years at community college, institute of technology or CÉGEP; or completion of an apprenticeship training program of two to five years; or supervisory or significant safety responsibilities; or the accumulation of several years of experience in a related occupation found in TEER 3, when applicable (TEER 3 includes occupations with a 3 as a second digit in their code).

422 - Paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community and education services

This sub-major group comprises paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community and education services, including paralegals and related occupations; social and community service workers; early childhood educators and assistants; instructors of persons with disabilities; and religion workers.

4220 - Paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community and education services

This minor group comprises paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community and education services, including paralegals and related occupations; social and community service workers; early childhood educators and assistants; instructors of persons with disabilities; and religion workers. They are employed by government, and government agencies; law firms, legal departments, and trademark development and record search companies; social service and mental health agencies, group homes, shelters, and substance abuse centres; schools and school boards; correctional facilities, and prisons; child-care centres, daycare centres, kindergartens, and agencies for exceptional children; rehabilitation centres, and specialized educational institutes; driving schools, fabric retailers, and other commercial establishments; churches, synagogues, temples, and other places of worship; and hospitals; or they may be self-employed.

42200 - Paralegals and related occupations

Paralegals prepare legal documents and conduct research to assist lawyers or other professionals. Independent paralegals provide legal services to the public as allowed by government legislation, or provide paralegal services on contract to law firms or other establishments. Justices of the peace administer oaths, issue subpoenas, summonses and warrants and perform other court-related duties such as conducting bail hearings. Notaries public administer oaths, take affidavits, sign legal documents and perform other activities according to the scope of their practice. Trademark agents advise clients on intellectual property matters. Paralegals are employed by law firms, by record search companies and in legal departments throughout the public and private sectors. Independent paralegals are usually self-employed. Justices of the peace are employed by federal, provincial, municipal, and territorial courts. Notaries public are employed by government and in the public and private sectors or they may be self-employed. Trademark agents are employed by law firms and legal departments throughout the public and private sectors, trademark development and search firms or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • commercial law clerk
    • commissioner of affidavits
    • commissioner of marriages
    • corporate paralegal
    • family law paralegal
    • independent paralegal
    • judicial officer
    • justice of the peace
    • land titles examiner
    • legal researcher
    • notary public
    • paralegal
    • real estate law clerk
    • registrar of bankruptcy
    • title searcher
    • trademark agent

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • law clerk
    • prothonotary

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Articling law student (See 41101 Lawyers and Quebec notaries)
    • Legal administrative assistants (See 13111 Legal administrative assistants)
    • Patent agent (See 41400 Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers)
    • Quebec notary (See 41101 Lawyers and Quebec notaries)
    • Trademark lawyer (See 41101 Lawyers and Quebec notaries)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    Paralegals

    • Assist lawyers by interviewing clients, witnesses and other related parties, assembling documentary evidence, preparing trial briefs, and arranging for trials
    • Assist lawyers in preparation for mediation and judicial dispute resolutions
    • Under the supervision of a lawyer, prepare wills, real estate transactions and other legal documents, court reports and affidavits
    • Research records, court files and other legal documents
    • Draft legal correspondence and perform general office and clerical duties.

    Independent paralegals

    • Represent clients in small claims court and in other lower court proceedings, at tribunals and before administrative bodies
    • Advise clients and take legal action on landlord and tenant matters, traffic violations, name changes and other issues within their jurisdictions.

    Justices of the peace

    • Issue subpoenas, summonses and warrants, including search warrants
    • Receive affidavits, declarations and affirmations
    • Administer oaths
    • Conduct bail hearings
    • Release defendants on judges' orders and explain rights and obligations
    • Hear evidence at trials on summary conviction offences and may preside over trials of criminal offences at the discretion of the chief judge of the jurisdiction or as provided for in federal, provincial, or territorial statutes
    • Perform civil marriages
    • Register wills, probate, bankruptcy, etc.

    Notaries public

    • Administer oaths and take affidavits and depositions
    • Witness and certify the validity of signatures on documents
    • May draft contracts, prepare promissory notes and draw up wills, mortgages and other legal documents
    • May arrange probates and administer the estates of deceased persons.

    Trademark agents

    • Advise clients on intellectual property matters and represent clients before the Registrar of Trade-Marks on matters including prosecution of applications for registration of trademarks
    • Advise on the registrability of trademarks, trademark licensing requirements, transfer of intellectual property and protection of existing trademark rights
    • Represent clients at proceedings before the Trade Marks Opposition Board and in related proceedings
    • May represent clients internationally in consultation with foreign associates and attorneys.

  • Employment requirements

    • Paralegals in law firms require a bachelor's degree in law or a law college diploma and in-house training from a law firm or other legal establishment.
    • Independent paralegals require knowledge of legal principles and procedures usually obtained through industry-sponsored courses and through experience, or through completion of a community college paralegal program.
    • Paralegals require a licence to perform advanced legal services.
    • Justices of the peace requirements can vary from a background in law and the justice system, completion of a justice registrar, justice of the peace or other court training program depending on their duties and responsibilities.
    • Justices of the peace in the provinces are appointed by the lieutenant governor in council and, in the territories, by federally appointed territorial commissioners.
    • Notaries public usually require a university degree in law or a related field.
    • Notaries public are appointed after examination and certification of their qualifications by the governing judiciary in their province or territory. All appointments have specific limitations on the activities they can perform and for specific periods of time.
    • Notaries public require a provincial licence. In British Columbia, membership in the Society of Notaries Public is also required.
    • To be licensed, trademark agents are required to work in the area of trademark law, including the preparation and prosecution of trademark applications for registration, for two years and to successfully complete the examination conducted jointly by the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and the Registrar of Trade-Marks, Canadian Intellectual Property Office or either one of the above and to be a lawyer entitled to practise in Canada.
    • Trademark agents require registration with the federal Trade-Mark Office.

  • Additional information

    • Notaries public usually receive in-house training and perform their duties in rural or remote areas or in the business offices in which they are employed.
    • The duties and responsibilities of justices of the peace vary significantly depending on the level of their authority. They may be employed part-time on a fee-for-service basis in small communities. Their duties range from performing civil marriages, receiving affidavits and similar documents, to presiding in courts and hearings and determining prosecutions under provincial/territorial and federal laws.
42201 - Social and community service workers

Social and community service workers administer and implement a variety of social assistance programs and community services, and assist clients to deal with personal and social problems. They are employed by social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, group homes, shelters, substance abuse centres, school boards, correctional facilities and other establishments.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • Aboriginal outreach worker
    • addictions worker
    • child and youth worker
    • community development worker
    • community service worker
    • crisis intervention worker
    • developmental service worker
    • drop-in centre worker
    • family service worker
    • group home worker
    • income maintenance officer - social services
    • life skills instructor
    • mental health worker
    • rehabilitation worker - social services
    • social services worker
    • veteran services officer
    • welfare and compensation officer
    • women's shelter supervisor
    • youth worker

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • residential counsellor - group home

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Activities leader - seniors (See 54100 Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness)
    • Educational counsellors (See 41320 Educational counsellors)
    • Instructors of persons with disabilities (See 42203 Instructors of persons with disabilities)
    • Managers in social, community and correctional services (See 40030 Managers in social, community and correctional services)
    • Social workers (See 41300 Social workers)
    • Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (See 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Review client background information, interview clients to obtain case history and prepare intake reports
    • Assess clients' relevant skill strengths and needs
    • Assist clients to sort out options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance
    • Assess and investigate eligibility for social benefits
    • Refer clients to other social services or assist clients in locating and utilizing community resources including legal, medical and financial assistance, housing, employment, transportation, day care and other services
    • Counsel clients living in group homes and halfway houses, supervise their activities and assist in pre-release and release planning
    • Participate in the selection and admission of clients to appropriate programs
    • Implement life skills workshops, substance abuse treatment programs, behaviour management programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social services or health care professionals
    • Meet with clients to assess their progress, give support and discuss any difficulties or problems
    • Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients' behavioural changes and responses to interventions
    • Advise and aid recipients of social assistance and pensions
    • Provide crisis intervention and emergency shelter services
    • Implement and organize the delivery of specific services within the community
    • Maintain contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress
    • Mobilise and coordinate volunteer resources and activities for a range of organizations such as human service agencies, health care facilities, arts and sports centres, etc.
    • May maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research
    • May supervise social service support workers and volunteers.

  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of a college or university program in social work, child and youth care, psychology or other social science or health-related discipline is usually required.
    • Previous work experience in a social service environment as a volunteer or in a support capacity may replace formal education requirements for some occupations in this unit group.
    • Social service workers may be required to be a member of a provincial regulatory body in some provinces.

  • Additional information

    • Progression to professional occupations in social services, such as family and marriage counsellors, social workers, and probation and parole officers, is possible with additional training and experience.
42202 - Early childhood educators and assistants

Early childhood educators plan, organize and implement programs for children between the ages of infancy and 12 years. Early childhood educator assistants provide care for infants and preschool- to school-age children under the guidance of early childhood educators. Early childhood educators and assistants lead children in activities to stimulate and develop their intellectual, physical and emotional growth and ensure their security and well-being. They are employed in child-care centres, daycare centres, kindergartens, agencies for exceptional children and other settings where early childhood education services are provided. Supervisors of early childhood educators and assistants are included in this unit group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • child care worker assistant
    • daycare helper
    • daycare supervisor
    • daycare worker
    • early childhood assistant
    • early childhood education worker
    • early childhood educator - preschool
    • early childhood educator (ECE)
    • early childhood educator (ECE) assistant
    • early childhood program staff assistant
    • early childhood supervisor
    • preschool helper
    • preschool supervisor

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • daycare teacher
    • educator assistant - junior kindergarten
    • nursery school teacher

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Child-care centre administrator (See 40030 Managers in social, community and correctional services)
    • Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (See 43100 Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants)
    • Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (See 41221 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    Early childhood educators

    • Develop and implement child-care programs that support and promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children
    • Lead activities by telling or reading stories, teaching songs, taking children to local points of interest and providing opportunities to express creativity through the media of art, dramatic play, music and physical activity
    • Plan and maintain an environment that protects the health, security and well-being of children
    • Assess the abilities, interests and needs of children and discuss progress or problems with parents and other staff members
    • Observe children for signs of potential learning or behavioural problems and prepare reports for parents, guardians or supervisor
    • Guide and assist children in the development of proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
    • Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with co-workers and community service providers working with children
    • May plan and organize activities for school-age children in child-care programs before and after regular school hours
    • May supervise and coordinate activities of other early childhood educators and early childhood educator assistants.

    Early childhood educator assistants

    • Support early childhood educators in carrying out programs that promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children
    • Engage children in activities by telling stories, teaching songs and preparing crafts
    • Prepare snacks and arrange rooms or furniture for lunch and rest periods
    • Assist with proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
    • Submit written observations on children to early childhood educators or supervisors
    • Maintain daycare equipment and assist in housekeeping and cooking duties
    • Attend staff meetings to discuss progress and problems of children
    • May assist early childhood educators or supervisors in keeping records.

  • Employment requirements

    Early childhood educators

    • Completion of a two- to four-year college program in early childhood education
      or
      A bachelor's degree in child development is required.
    • Licensing is required in Ontario and certification is required in British Columbia for early childhood educators. Licensing for early childhood educators is usually required in all other provinces and territories.

    Early childhood educator assistants

    • Completion of secondary school is required.
    • Experience in child care is required.
    • Completion of an early childhood education assistant certificate program or post-secondary courses in early childhood education may be required.
    • Licensing by a provincial or territorial association as an early childhood educator may be required.

  • Additional information

    • Progression to senior positions, such as daycare supervisor, is possible with several years of experience or with experience and advanced ECE qualification levels.
42203 - Instructors of persons with disabilities

Instructors of persons with disabilities teach children and adults using a variety of techniques to facilitate communication, rehabilitation, social skills and increased independence. They are employed in rehabilitation centres, specialized educational institutes and throughout the school system.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • braille instructor
    • instructor of persons who are deaf
    • instructor of persons who are hard of hearing
    • instructor of persons with a learning disability
    • instructor of persons with a mobility impairment
    • instructor of persons with a visual impairment
    • instructor of persons with special needs
    • lip-reading instructor
    • orientation and mobility instructor
    • sign language instructor
    • teacher for persons with intellectual disabilities

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Occupational therapy rehabilitation consultant (See 31203 Occupational therapists)
    • Special education technician - social and community services (See 42201 Social and community service workers)
    • Special needs educational assistant (See 43100 Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants)
    • Special needs teacher - elementary school (See 41221 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers)
    • Special needs teacher - secondary school (See 41220 Secondary school teachers)
    • Speech and hearing therapist (See 31112 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Develop individualized education and intervention plans based on special needs of client to facilitate their readaptation and independence objectives
    • Assess individuals in areas such as physical limitations, orientation and mobility skills, and cognitive, social and emotional barriers to establish client rehabilitation or adaptation goals
    • Assist individuals with physical, intellectual, visual and hearing disabilities or multiple disorders to develop life skills and provide job training
    • Instruct individuals with disabilities and their families in the use of rehabilitative techniques, prosthetic devices, wheelchairs and other equipment designed to maximize clients' independence and potential
    • Instruct persons with a visual impairment in reading and writing braille and in the use of special equipment or supports such as human or animal guides, long canes and other adaptive mobility devices
    • Instruct persons who are hard of hearing or deaf in lip-reading, finger spelling and sign language according to individual communication needs
    • Instruct persons who are hard of hearing or deaf in the formation and development of sounds for speech using hearing aids, and other devices and techniques
    • Collaborate with specialists, such as rehabilitation counsellors, speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists, to develop programs for clients' special needs

  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of a college program in special education, rehabilitation, orientation and mobility, visual impairment, hearing impairment or intellectual disability is required.
    • A bachelor's degree in special education or a related field such as social work or psychology may be required.
42204 - Religion workers

Religion workers include brothers, nuns, monks, religious education workers and others who provide support to ministers of religion or to a religious community and who perform certain functions associated with the practice of a religion. They may perform these duties in churches, synagogues, temples or other places of worship; in institutions such as schools, hospitals and prisons; or in industrial facilities, corporate enterprises; or they may work in private practice.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • brother/sister - religion
    • Christian science practitioner
    • deacon
    • missionary
    • monk
    • nun
    • pastoral animator
    • religious education worker
    • Salvation Army field worker

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • cantor

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Medical missionary (See 31102 General practitioners and family physicians)
    • Religious leaders (See 41302 Religious leaders)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Assist at services of public worship and religious rites
    • Provide religious education, spiritual guidance and moral support to members of a religious community
    • Conduct outreach activities and facilitate community involvement
    • Administer programs providing food, clothing and shelter
    • May plan, organize and lead worship services and church activities for a specific audience.

  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of college, university or other program in religious studies may be required, depending on the particular occupation and religion.
    • There may be other employment requirements depending on the particular occupation and religion.
Date modified: