Operating room technician NOC code
NOC 2021 code, TEER level and Express Entry status for operating room technician.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
The NOC code for operating room technician is 32101 (Licensed practical nurses), a TEER 2 occupation — it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It's eligible for Healthcare category draws.
NOC code
32101
TEER 2 · skilled
High-wage
Not listed
No extra CRS points
Category draws
Healthcare
IRCC 2026 lists
What NOC 32101 covers
Licensed practical nurses provide nursing care usually under the direction of medical practitioners, registered nurses or other health team members. Operating room technicians prepare patients and provide assistance to medical practitioners prior to and during surgery. Licensed practical nurses are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctors' offices, clinics, companies, private homes and community health centres. Operating room technicians are employed in hospitals.
| Unit group | 32101 — Licensed practical nurses |
|---|---|
| TEER | TEER 2 — usually requires a college diploma or apprenticeship of 2+ years, or supervisory roles |
| Broad category | Health occupations |
Main duties to compare with yours
- Licensed practical nurses
- Provide nursing services, within defined scope of practice, to patients based on patient assessment and care planning procedures
- Perform nursing interventions such as taking vital signs, applying aseptic techniques including sterile dressing, ensuring infection control, monitoring nutritional intake and conducting specimen collection
- Administer medication and observe and document therapeutic effects
- Provide pre-operative and post-operative personal and comfort care
- Monitor established respiratory therapy and intravenous therapy
To use NOC 32101 on an Express Entry profile or reference letter, your duties should match the lead statement and most of the main duties. See every duty and the full Express Entry breakdown for NOC 32101 →
Other job titles under NOC 32101
- Graduate nursing assistant
- Licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.)
- Registered nursing assistant (R.N.A.)
Similar titles in other NOC codes
If your duties don't match NOC 32101, one of these may fit better:
- Cast room technician — NOC 33109 (Other assisting occupations in support of health services, TEER 3)
- Dining room manager — NOC 60030 (Restaurant and food service managers, TEER 0)
- Dye room supervisor — NOC 92015 (Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing, TEER 2)
- Housekeeping room attendant — NOC 65310 (Light duty cleaners, TEER 5)
- Mail room clerk — NOC 64401 (Postal services representatives, TEER 4)
- Mail room supervisor — NOC 72025 (Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations, TEER 2)
- Operating systems programmer — NOC 21230 (Computer systems developers and programmers, TEER 1)
- Room clerk — NOC 64314 (Hotel front desk clerks, TEER 4)
Calculate your CRS score → · All job titles A–Z · High-wage list
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0 (example titles and duties); IRCC high-wage occupations and category-based selection lists. Check the official NOC site before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for operating room technician?+
In NOC 2021, "operating room technician" is an example title in unit group 32101 — Licensed practical nurses. It is a TEER 2 occupation in the "Health occupations" broad category.
Is operating room technician eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 32101 is TEER 2, which IRCC counts as skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class — provided your actual duties match the NOC description and you meet every other program requirement.
Does operating room technician get extra CRS points?+
NOC 32101 isn't on IRCC's high-wage list, so there are no extra high-wage or job offer points. Canadian work-length points still apply for TEER 0–3 work.
Can a operating room technician get a category-based Express Entry invitation?+
Yes — NOC 32101 is on IRCC's list for Healthcare and Social Services Occupations, 2026-Version 3. You generally need have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) — this experience does not need to be continuous.
What if my job title says operating room technician but my duties are different?+
IRCC assesses your duties, not your job title. Compare what you actually do with the lead statement and main duties of NOC 32101. If most of them don't match, look at the related occupations below or search the official NOC site.