Participate in the National Occupational Classification’s consultations

Stakeholders are invited to submit proposals to review the National Occupational Classification on an ongoing basis. 

Proposals should clearly identify the proposed change to the classification, outline the rationale for the change and include supporting information such as main duties; educational background and certification (if any) and current job titles used in the labour market.

For the upcoming release of NOC 2026, a consensus was reached between Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to introduce structural changes to the classification. This marks the first time that structural changes have been introduced in two consecutive NOC revisions (five years apart), whereas such changes were previously made only every second revision (ten years apart).

Since April 2024, both departments have a permanent consultation process for the NOC. Proposals for changes can now be submitted and reviewed on an ongoing basis, with a posted cut-off date indicating the deadline for inclusion in a given revision cycle. For NOC 2026 Version 1.0, the cut-off date was November 15, 2024.

Since the implementation of NOC 2021, over 200 recommendations have been received. Upon review of the submissions received, changes are made when supported by research and agreed upon by Statistics Canada for inclusion in the new version. Recommendations for which a decision could not be made as part of this revision cycle will be considered in the next revision cycle.

Key areas targeted by recommendations include:

• Updates to job titles, including revisions, additions, and reclassifications such as:
• Indigenous job titles in various occupations across the NOC
• NOC 21203 – Land surveyors
• NOC 22114 – Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
• Review of employment requirements for select occupations, such as:
• NOC 11100 – Financial auditors and accountants
• NOC 21200 – Architects
• NOC 31202 – Physiotherapists
• Clarifications to the duties of the various subgroups within occupations, such as:
• NOC 14301 – Correspondence, publication and regulatory clerks
• NOC 21211 – Data scientists
• NOC 84111 – Silviculture and forestry workers
• Enhanced classification of occupations within the NOC, such as:
• NOC 14404 – Dispatchers
• NOC 41409 – Other professional occupations in social science
• NOC 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants
• NOC 64300 – Maîtres d'hôtel and hosts/hostesses

A total of 165 unit groups will be impacted, including 24 that will undergo structural changes. The updated classification is scheduled for release in December 2026.