Primary school teacher NOC code
NOC 2021 code, TEER level and Express Entry status for primary school teacher.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
The NOC code for primary school teacher is 41221 (Elementary school and kindergarten teachers), a TEER 1 occupation — it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It's a high-wage occupation (Level 2): +40 CRS for 12+ months of Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer. It's eligible for Education category draws.
NOC code
41221
TEER 1 · skilled
High-wage
Level 2
+40 work · 70 job offer
Category draws
Education
IRCC 2026 lists
What NOC 41221 covers
Elementary school and kindergarten teachers teach basic subjects such as reading, writing and arithmetic or specialized subjects such as English or French as a second language at public and private elementary schools.
| Unit group | 41221 — Elementary school and kindergarten teachers |
|---|---|
| TEER | TEER 1 — usually requires a university degree |
| Broad category | Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services |
Main duties to compare with yours
- Prepare courses for presentation to students according to approved curriculum
- Teach students using a systematic plan of lessons, discussions, audio-visual presentations and field trips
- Lead students in activities to promote their physical, mental and social development and their school readiness
- Assign and correct homework
- Prepare, administer and correct tests
- Evaluate the progress of students and discuss results with students, parents and school officials
To use NOC 41221 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 41221 →
Other job titles under NOC 41221
- Kindergarten teacher
- English as a second language elementary school teacher
- French as a second language elementary school teacher
- French immersion teacher - elementary school
- Remedial teacher - elementary school
- Special education teacher - elementary school
- Special education teacher - primary school
Similar titles in other NOC codes
If your duties don't match NOC 41221, one of these may fit better:
- Aviation school manager — NOC 40020 (Administrators - post-secondary education and vocational training, TEER 0)
- Ballet teacher — NOC 53120 (Dancers, TEER 3)
- Ballroom dancing teacher — NOC 53120 (Dancers, TEER 3)
- Business school manager — NOC 40020 (Administrators - post-secondary education and vocational training, TEER 0)
- College teacher — NOC 41210 (College and other vocational instructors, TEER 1)
- Community college teacher — NOC 41210 (College and other vocational instructors, TEER 1)
- Cooking school manager — NOC 60040 (Managers in customer and personal services, TEER 0)
- District school superintendent — NOC 40021 (School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education, TEER 0)
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 primary school teacher?+
In NOC 2021, "primary school teacher" is an example title in unit group 41221 — Elementary school and kindergarten teachers. It is a TEER 1 occupation in the "Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services" broad category.
Is primary school teacher eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 41221 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 primary school teacher get extra CRS points?+
Yes. NOC 41221 is on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 2. From November 3, 2026, 12+ months of qualifying Canadian work adds 40 CRS points, or a valid job offer is worth 70 (whichever is higher).
Can a primary school teacher get a category-based Express Entry invitation?+
Yes — NOC 41221 is on IRCC's list for Education occupations. 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 primary school teacher 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 41221. If most of them don't match, look at the related occupations below or search the official NOC site.