North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada 2017 Version 2.0

A

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

54 - Professional, scientific and technical services

This sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this sector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this sector are legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services; architectural, engineering and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific and technical consulting services; scientific research and development services; and advertising, public relations, and related services.

The distinguishing feature of this sector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this sector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this sector.

541 - Professional, scientific and technical services

This subsector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this subsector are legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services; architectural, engineering and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific and technical consulting services; scientific research and development services; and advertising, public relations, and related services.

The distinguishing feature of this subsector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this subsector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this subsector.

5419 - Other professional, scientific and technical services

This industry group comprises establishments, not classified to any other industry group, primarily engaged in providing professional, scientific and technical services. Examples of establishments included in this industry group are marketing research and public opinion polling houses; photographic studios; translators and interpreters; and veterinary practices.

54199 - All other professional, scientific and technical services

This industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other industry, primarily engaged in the provision of professional, scientific or technical services.

541990 - All other professional, scientific and technical services

This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in the provision of professional, scientific or technical services.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • appraising services (except insurance or real estate)
    • arbitration and conciliation service, non-government
    • bankruptcy trustees
    • consumer credit counselling services
    • estate assessment (i.e., appraisal) services
    • handwriting expert and analysis services
    • marine surveyor (i.e., ship appraisal) services
    • meteorological services
    • patent broker services (i.e., patent marketing services)
    • pipeline and power line inspection (i.e., visual inspection) services
    • weather forecasting services

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • appraisal or evaluation services, real estate (See 531320 Offices of real estate appraisers)
    • insurance adjustment services (See 524291 Claims adjusters)
    • providing accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services (See 5412 Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services)
    • providing advertising and related services (See 5418 Advertising, public relations, and related services)
    • providing architectural, engineering and related services (See 5413 Architectural, engineering and related services)
    • providing computer systems design and related services (See 5415 Computer systems design and related services)
    • providing legal services (See 5411 Legal services)
    • providing management, scientific and technical consulting services (See 5416 Management, scientific and technical consulting services)
    • providing marketing research and public opinion polling (See 541910 Marketing research and public opinion polling)
    • providing photographic services (See 541920 Photographic services)
    • providing scientific research and development services (See 5417 Scientific research and development services)
    • providing specialized design services (See 5414 Specialized design services)
    • providing translation and interpretation services (See 541930 Translation and interpretation services)
    • providing veterinary services (See 541940 Veterinary services)
Report a problem on this page

Is something not working? Is there information outdated? Can't find what you're looking for?

Please contact us and let us know how we can help you.

Privacy notice

Date modified: