Physician assistant NOC code
NOC 2021 code, TEER level and Express Entry status for physician assistant.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
The NOC code for physician assistant is 31303 (Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals), a TEER 1 occupation — it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It's a high-wage occupation (Level 1): +70 CRS for 12+ months of Canadian work, or 100 for a job offer. It's eligible for Healthcare category draws.
NOC code
31303
TEER 1 · skilled
High-wage
Level 1
+70 work · 100 job offer
Category draws
Healthcare
IRCC 2026 lists
What NOC 31303 covers
Physician assistants and midwives provide primary health care and treatment in conjunction with physicians and in collaboration with other health professionals. Physician assistants provide a range of health services to patients delivering preventive and continuous care toward the management of patients' health. Midwives provide full-course care to women and their babies during the pre- and post-natal period. This unit group also includes professionals such as genetic counsellors, orthoptists and pathologists' assistants, who work in collaboration with primary health occupations. Genetic counsellors assess individual or family risk of genetic conditions, and provide information to individuals, families and healthcare providers to promote informed choice. Orthoptists diagnose and treat binocular disorders. Pathologists' assistants assist at autopsies and examinations of surgical specimens, or perform autopsies under a pathologist's supervision. Physician assistants usually work under physicians in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals and clinics. Midwives are employed in hospitals, clinics, birthing centres or in private practice. Genetic counsellors usually work in private practice, hospitals, clinics and research institutes. Orthoptists work under an ophthalmologist, particularly in private practices or clinics. Pathologists' assistants are usually employed in hospitals and universities.
| Unit group | 31303 — Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
|---|---|
| TEER | TEER 1 — usually requires a university degree |
| Broad category | Health occupations |
Main duties to compare with yours
- Physician assistants
- Conduct patient interviews, physical assessments and take medical histories
- Perform or order diagnostic tests and interpret results
- In consultation with a supervising physician, formulate and implement treatment plans and monitor patients' progress
- Perform and assist in minor surgery
- Provide health maintenance education
To use NOC 31303 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 31303 →
Other job titles under NOC 31303
Similar titles in other NOC codes
If your duties don't match NOC 31303, one of these may fit better:
- Emergency physician — NOC 31100 (Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine, TEER 1)
- Family physician — NOC 31102 (General practitioners and family physicians, TEER 1)
- Osteopathic physician — NOC 31209 (Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating, 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 physician assistant?+
In NOC 2021, "physician assistant" is an example title in unit group 31303 — Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals. It is a TEER 1 occupation in the "Health occupations" broad category.
Is physician assistant eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 31303 is TEER 1, 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 physician assistant get extra CRS points?+
Yes. NOC 31303 is on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 1. From November 3, 2026, 12+ months of qualifying Canadian work adds 70 CRS points, or a valid job offer is worth 100 (whichever is higher).
Can a physician assistant get a category-based Express Entry invitation?+
Yes — NOC 31303 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 physician 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 31303. If most of them don't match, look at the related occupations below or search the official NOC site.