National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.0
2 - Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
This category includes occupations in sciences, engineering, architecture and information technology.
These occupations require post-secondary education in an appropriate scientific or technical discipline. Progression from technical to professional occupations usually requires additional education.
21 - Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences
This major group comprises professional occupations in natural and applied sciences. It includes professionals working in the physical sciences, life sciences, and engineering fields; and as architects, urban planners, land surveyors, mathematicians, statisticians, actuaries, and computer and information systems professionals.
215 - Architects, urban planners and land surveyors
This minor group includes architects, landscape architects, urban and land use planners, and land surveyors. They are employed by governments; architectural, engineering, construction, real estate development, natural resource, landscape consulting, and other consulting companies; land developers and land surveying establishments; and government environmental and development agencies; or they may be self-employed.
2151 - Architects
Architects conceptualize, plan and develop designs for the construction and renovation of commercial, institutional and residential buildings. They are employed by architectural firms, private corporations and governments, or they may be self-employed.
Illustrative example(s)
- architect
- architectural standards specialist
- chief architect
- consulting architect
- industrial and commercial buildings architect
- residential architect
Exclusion(s)
- Architecture and science managers (See 0212 Architecture and science managers)
- Database architects (See 2172 Database analysts and data administrators)
- Landscape architects (See 2152 Landscape architects)
- Naval architects (See 2148 Other professional engineers, n.e.c.)
- Software architects (See 2173 Software engineers and designers)
- Structural engineers (See 2131 Civil engineers)
- Technical architects, hardware (See 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers))
Main duties
Architects perform some or all of the following duties:
- Consult with clients to determine the type, style and purpose of renovations or new building construction being considered
- Conceptualize and design buildings and develop plans describing design specifications, building materials, costs and construction schedules
- Prepare sketches and models for clients
- Prepare or supervise the preparation of drawings, specifications and other construction documents for use by contractors and tradespersons
- Prepare bidding documents, participate in contract negotiations and award construction contracts
- Monitor activities on construction sites to ensure compliance with specifications
- Conduct feasibility studies and financial analyses of building projects.
Architects may specialize in a particular type of construction such as residential, commercial, industrial or institutional.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited school of architecture
or
Completion of the syllabus of studies from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is required. - A master's degree in architecture may be required.
- Completion of a three-year internship under the supervision of a registered architect is required.
- Completion of the architect registration examination is required.
- Registration with a provincial regulatory body is required in all provinces and the Northwest Territories.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited school of architecture
Additional information
- Progression to senior positions, such as chief architect, is possible with experience.
2152 - Landscape architects
Landscape architects conceptualize landscape designs, develop contract documents and oversee the construction of landscape development for commercial projects, office complexes, parks, golf courses and residential development. They are employed by government environmental and development agencies, landscape consulting firms and by architectural and engineering firms, or they are self-employed.
Illustrative example(s)
- golf course architect
- landscape architect
- landscape planner
Exclusion(s)
- Architects (See 2151 Architects)
- Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists (See 2225 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists)
- Landscape architecture managers (See 0212 Architecture and science managers)
- Landscape design contractors (See 8255 Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services)
- Urban and land use planners (See 2153 Urban and land use planners)
Main duties
Landscape architects perform some or all of the following duties:
- Confer with clients to determine design needs
- Survey and assess designated sites and develop designs taking into consideration landscape features, buildings, climate, future usage and other aspects
- Prepare or oversee the preparation of detailed drawings for sites, including features such as trees, shrubs, gardens, lighting, walkways, patios, decks, benches, fences, retaining walls and fountains
- Prepare or oversee preparation of site plans, reports, sketches, models, photographs, maps, land use studies and design plans
- Estimate costs, prepare specifications and evaluate tenders for landscape construction projects
- Conduct environmental design studies, including environmental assessment, planning and the preservation and re-creation of historical sites
- Conduct community and neighbourhood physical planning studies, participate in multidisciplinary urban design studies and prepare design guidelines
- May manage and supervise landscape construction work.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in landscape architecture is required.
- A master's degree in landscape architecture may be required.
- Registration with a regulatory body is required in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.
- In the remaining provinces and territories, landscape architects usually require two years of landscape design experience and an interview by their respective provincial associations to receive association certification.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.
2153 - Urban and land use planners
Urban and land use planners develop plans and recommend policies for managing land use, physical facilities and associated services for urban and rural areas and remote regions. They are employed by all levels of government, land developers, engineering and other consulting companies, or may work as private consultants.
Illustrative example(s)
- community and urban planner
- environmental planner
- land use planner
- municipal planner
- park planner
- planner
- recreation planner
- regional planner
- urban planner
Exclusion(s)
- Architects (See 2151 Architects)
- Architecture and science managers (See 0212 Architecture and science managers)
- Engineering managers (See 0211 Engineering managers)
- Land surveyors (See 2154 Land surveyors)
Main duties
Urban and land use planners perform some or all of the following duties:
- Compile and analyze data on demographic, economic, legal, political, cultural, sociological, physical and other factors affecting land use
- Confer with municipal, provincial and federal authorities, civic leaders, social scientists, lawyers, land developers, the public and special interest groups to formulate and develop land use or community plans
- Prepare and recommend land development concepts and plans for zoning, subdivisions, transportation, public utilities, community facilities, parks, agricultural and other land uses
- Prepare plans for environmental protection, such as wildlife preserves, national and provincial parks, and protection of watersheds
- Present plans to civic, rural and regional authorities and hold public meetings to present plans, proposals or planning studies to the general public and special interest groups
- Review and evaluate proposals for land use and development plans and prepare recommendations
- Process application for land development permits and administer land use plans and zoning by-laws
- Formulate long-range objectives and policies relative to future land use and the protection of the environment
- Supervise and co-ordinate work of urban planning technicians and technologists.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning, geography, architecture, engineering or a related discipline is required.
- A master's degree in one of these disciplines may be required.
- Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is usually required.
- Urban and land use planners are regulated in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and membership in a provincial planning institute may be required in other provinces.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.
Additional information
- Progression to management positions in planning is possible with experience.
2154 - Land surveyors
Land surveyors plan, direct and conduct legal surveys to establish the location of real property boundaries, contours and other natural or human-made features, and prepare and maintain cross-sectional drawings, official plans, records and documents pertaining to these surveys. They are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments, private sector land surveying establishments, real estate development, natural resource, engineering and construction firms, or they may be self-employed.
Illustrative example(s)
- commissioned land surveyor
- land surveyor
- legal surveyor
- professional land surveyor
- property surveyor
Exclusion(s)
- Engineering managers (See 0211 Engineering managers)
- Engineering technologists and technicians who apply geotechnical and topographical information to land use and urban planning (See 2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians)
- Geomatics and survey engineers (See 2131 Civil engineers)
- Hydrographic surveyors (See 2113 Geoscientists and oceanographers)
- Land survey technologists and technicians (See 2254 Land survey technologists and technicians)
- Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology (See 2255 Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology)
- Urban and land use planners (See 2153 Urban and land use planners)
Main duties
Land surveyors perform some or all of the following duties:
- Develop survey plans, methods and procedures for conducting legal surveys
- Plan, direct and supervise or conduct surveys to establish and mark legal boundaries of properties, parcels of lands, provincial and Canada Lands, Aboriginal land claims, wellsites, mining claims, utility rights-of-way, roadways and highways
- Survey and lay out subdivisions for rural and urban development
- Determine precise locations using electronic distance measuring equipment and global positioning systems (GPS)
- Analyze, manage and display data using geographic information systems (GIS) and computer-aided design and drafting (CAD)
- Record all measurements and other information obtained during survey activities
- Prepare or supervise the preparation and compilation of all data, plans, charts, records and documents related to surveys of real property boundaries
- Certify and assume liability for surveys made to establish real property boundaries
- Advise, provide consultation and testify as an expert witness on matters related to legal surveys
- May supervise other land surveyors, and land survey technologists and technicians.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in geomatics engineering or survey engineering
or
A college diploma in survey science or geomatics technology with additional academic credits and successful completion of equivalent examinations set by a regional board of examiners for land surveyors is required. - A one- to three-year articling period is required.
- Successful completion of professional land surveyor examinations is required.
- A federal or provincial land surveyor's licence is required.
- A bachelor's degree in geomatics engineering or survey engineering
Additional information
- Federal statutes require a separate license from the Association of Canada Land Surveyors to survey areas such as national parks, Aboriginal lands, offshore areas and northern territories.
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