National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

• 4 - Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services
• 41 - Professional occupations in law, education, social, community and government services
• 413 - Professional occupations in social and community services
• 4130 - Social and community service professionals

41302 - Religious leaders

Religious leaders conduct religious services, administer the rites of a religious faith or denomination, provide spiritual and moral guidance and perform other functions associated with the practice of a religion. They perform these duties in churches, synagogues, temples or other places of worship. They may also work in other institutions such as schools, hospitals and correctional facilities.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • archbishop
  • bishop
  • cardinal
  • chaplain
  • evangelist
  • granthi
  • imam
  • minister
  • moderator - religion
  • pastor
  • priest
  • rabbi

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Religion workers (See 42204 Religion workers)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Conduct regular religious services
  • Administer rites of faiths such as marriages and funerals
  • Pray and promote spirituality by delivering sermons and other talks
  • Provide spiritual and moral guidance to members of a religious faith
  • Supervise, plan and administer programs of religious education
  • May participate in humanitarian endeavours and delivery of social services and welfare activities
  • May share in the administrative and financial operation of a religious community
  • May provide consultation services to government and other organizations.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of college, university or other program in religious studies is usually required. Some occupations in this unit group may require a master's of divinity or theology.
  • A period of study with a senior minister is usually required.

• Additional information

  • Progression to senior positions included in this unit group, within a religious order, is possible with experience.