NOC 31202: Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists assess clients and plan and carry out individually designed treatment programs to maintain, improve or restore physical functioning and mobility, alleviate pain and prevent physical dysfunction in clients. They are employed in hospitals, clinics, industry, sports organizations, rehabilitation centres and extended care facilities, or may work in private practice.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
NOC 31202 (Physiotherapists) is a TEER 1 occupation, so it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It is on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 2: +40 CRS for 12+ months of Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer. It is eligible for Healthcare category draws.
TEER
TEER 1
Skilled for Express Entry
High-wage
Level 2
+40 work · 70 job offer
Category draws
Healthcare
IRCC 2026 lists
| NOC 2021 code | 31202 |
|---|---|
| Title | Physiotherapists |
| Broad category | Health occupations |
| TEER | TEER 1 — usually requires a university degree |
Category-based draws
- Healthcare and Social Services Occupations, 2026-Version 3 — 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 (in a single occupation listed in the table below (no matter your primary occupation); in Canada or abroad).
CRS points for this occupation
Under the Labour Market Integration factor, IRCC gives you the higher of: your Canadian work-length points plus 40 for 12+ months of qualifying work in a Level 2 occupation, or 70 points for a valid job offer in it. How job offer points work.
Example job titles
Main duties
- Assess clients' physical abilities using assessment procedures such as functional ability tests and make a physiotherapy diagnosis
- Establish treatment goals with clients based on diagnosis
- Develop and implement physiotherapy treatment plans including therapeutic exercise, manipulations, massage, education, electrotherapy hydrotherapy and other modalities
- Evaluate effectiveness of treatment plans and modify accordingly
- Provide advice on exercise and strategies to implement at home to enhance and or maintain treatment
- Communicate with referring physician and other health care professionals regarding clients' problems, needs and progress
- Maintain clinical and statistical records and confer with other health care professionals
- Develop and implement health promotion programs for clients, staff and the community
Your duties should match the lead statement and most of the main duties to use this NOC — check the full profile on the official NOC site.
Related occupations
- NOC 31200 — Psychologists
- NOC 31201 — Chiropractors
- NOC 31203 — Occupational therapists
- NOC 31204 — Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
- NOC 31209 — Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
- NOC 31100 — Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- NOC 31101 — Specialists in surgery
- NOC 31102 — General practitioners and family physicians
- NOC 31103 — Veterinarians
- NOC 31110 — Dentists
← NOC 31201 Chiropractors · NOC 31203 Occupational therapists →
Calculate your CRS score → · All NOC codes · High-wage list
TEER 1 also matters for work permits: see the spousal open work permit (TEER rules for spouses of workers), LMIA explained and the Atlantic Immigration Program (job offers in TEER 0–4).
Sources: Statistics Canada NOC 2021 V1.0; IRCC high-wage occupations; IRCC category-based selection; IRCC who can apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is NOC 31202 eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 31202 is a TEER 1 occupation. IRCC counts work in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations as skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, as long as all other program requirements are met.
Is NOC 31202 a high-wage occupation?+
Yes. It's on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 2. From November 3, 2026, 12+ months of qualifying Canadian work in it adds 40 CRS points, or a valid job offer in it is worth 70 points (whichever is higher).
Which Express Entry category draws include NOC 31202?+
As published by IRCC: Healthcare and Social Services Occupations, 2026-Version 3. Candidates 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.