Pharmacy technical assistant NOC code
NOC 2021 code, TEER level and Express Entry status for pharmacy technical assistant.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
The NOC code for pharmacy technical assistant is 33103 (Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants), a TEER 3 occupation — it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It's eligible for Healthcare category draws.
NOC code
33103
TEER 3 · skilled
High-wage
Not listed
No extra CRS points
Category draws
Healthcare
IRCC 2026 lists
What NOC 33103 covers
Pharmacy technical assistants perform technical tasks related to preparing medications under a pharmacist's supervision. They also assist in filling prescriptions and managing patient files. Pharmacy assistants perform clerical functions and assists pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with drug dispensing tasks. Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants are employed in retail and hospital pharmacies, long-term care facilities and by pharmaceutical manufacturers.
| Unit group | 33103 — Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
|---|---|
| TEER | TEER 3 — usually requires a college diploma or apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or 6+ months of on-the-job training |
| Broad category | Health occupations |
Main duties to compare with yours
- Assess prescriptions for completeness
- Enter clients' information and prescription details in databases
- Help pharmacists and other pharmacy staff with preparing, packaging and labelling of pharmaceutical products
- Assist in maintaining inventories of medications and pharmaceutical products
- Compound oral solutions, ointments and creams
- May process medical billing information
To use NOC 33103 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 33103 →
Other job titles under NOC 33103
Similar titles in other NOC codes
If your duties don't match NOC 33103, one of these may fit better:
- Hardware technical architect — NOC 21311 (Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers), TEER 1)
- Hardware technical support analyst — NOC 22221 (User support technicians, TEER 2)
- Pharmacy technician — NOC 32124 (Pharmacy technicians, TEER 2)
- Pharmacy technician supervisor — NOC 32124 (Pharmacy technicians, TEER 2)
- Technical secretary — NOC 13110 (Administrative assistants, TEER 3)
- Technical writer — NOC 51112 (Technical writers, TEER 1)
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 pharmacy technical assistant?+
In NOC 2021, "pharmacy technical assistant" is an example title in unit group 33103 — Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants. It is a TEER 3 occupation in the "Health occupations" broad category.
Is pharmacy technical assistant eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 33103 is TEER 3, 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 pharmacy technical assistant get extra CRS points?+
NOC 33103 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 pharmacy technical assistant get a category-based Express Entry invitation?+
Yes — NOC 33103 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 pharmacy technical assistant 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 33103. If most of them don't match, look at the related occupations below or search the official NOC site.