Personal Support Worker NOC Code in Canada: Is It 44101 or 33102?

The personal support worker NOC code in Canada is either 44101 or 33102, depending on

where you work. NOC 44101 applies if you provide care in a client’s home. NOC 33102 applies if

you work in a hospital, nursing home, or long-term care facility. Which code applies to you

determines which work permits and permanent residence pathways you can access, and the

difference is significant.

What is the personal support worker NOC code?

Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system assigns every occupation a code.

For personal support workers, there is no single universal code. The correct one depends on

where you do your work:

• NOC 44101 — Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations (TEER 4). This

  applies when you provide care in the client’s private residence. Job titles classified here

  include personal support worker, home support worker, live-in caregiver, personal care aide,

  and companion.

• NOC 33102 — Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (TEER 3). This applies

  when you work inside a health care facility such as a hospital, nursing home, or long-term

  care home. Job titles classified here include personal support worker, nurse aide, orderly,

  and patient care aide.

The TEER (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities) level attached to each code

has direct consequences for immigration eligibility.

NOC 44101 vs NOC 33102: key differences at a glance

	NOC 44101	NOC 33102
Work setting	Client's private home	Hospital, nursing home, LTC facility
TEER level	TEER 4	TEER 3
Express Entry eligible	No	Yes (FSWP, CEC)
LMIA work permit (TFWP)	Yes	Yes
Most PNP streams	Some	Most
Home Care Worker Pilots	Yes (currently closed)	No

Why your personal support worker NOC code matters for immigration

This is the point that surprises many applicants: two people with the same job title and similar

duties can have entirely different immigration options depending on their work setting.

If your duties place you under NOC 33102 (TEER 3), your occupation qualifies for Express Entry

— specifically the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class if you

have qualifying Canadian work experience. TEER 3 is also accepted by the majority of Provincial

Nominee Program streams across Canada.

If your duties place you under NOC 44101 (TEER 4), your occupation does not qualify for

Express Entry on its own. Your main options are a work permit through the Temporary Foreign

Worker Program (which requires your employer to obtain a positive LMIA), specific

caregiver-focused immigration pilots, or select PNP streams that include home care categories.

Getting the NOC code wrong, in either direction, can lead to a refused application, wasted filing

fees, or missed eligibility windows.

Amir Ansari, RCIC, reviews the full scope of your job duties before confirming your NOC code. If your actual duties span both settings, or if there is any ambiguity in your job description, that matters in your file. Book a consultation to get a clear NOC assessment before submitting any application.

Immigration options for NOC 44101 workers in Canada in 2026

If your work falls under NOC 44101, here is the current landscape:

• LMIA work permit (TFWP): Your employer applies for a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

  If approved, you can receive a closed work permit tied to that employer and role. This is the

  most common entry point for home support workers coming from abroad. Your employer

  bears most of the administrative burden, but the LMIA process has requirements on both

  sides.

• Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots: IRCC paused new intake for these pilots while

  processing applications already on file. The pilots were designed to offer a path to permanent

  residence for home child care providers (NOC 44100) and home support workers (NOC

  44101), and the government has signalled intent to continue them. Check canada.ca for

  updated intake information.

• Provincial Nominee Programs: Some provinces — including Ontario, Alberta, and British

  Columbia — have included caregiver and health care support occupations in select PNP

  streams. Eligibility requirements change with each intake cycle, so confirming current

  availability before building a plan around a specific stream is essential.

• Express Entry with a qualifying secondary occupation: If you have prior or concurrent

  experience in a TEER 0-3 occupation, you may still be able to create an Express Entry

  profile. An RCIC can review your complete work history to determine whether a stronger

  NOC classification is supportable.

Frequently asked questions about personal support worker NOC codes

What is the NOC code for a personal support worker?

It depends on your work setting. If you work in someone’s home, the code is NOC 44101. If you

work in a hospital, nursing home, or long-term care facility, the code is NOC 33102. Your job

duties — not just your job title — are what IRCC and your employer consider when determining

the correct code. Use the Government of Canada’s NOC finder to verify your classification.

What is the NOC code for a personal support worker in long-term care?

Personal support workers in long-term care facilities fall under NOC 33102 — Nurse aides,

orderlies and patient service associates. This is a TEER 3 occupation, which qualifies for

Express Entry programs. If you split your time between a care facility and home visits, your

primary duty setting determines the correct code.

Is personal support worker NOC B (TEER 3)?

It depends on the setting. NOC 33102 (facility-based PSW) is TEER 3, which corresponds to the

old Skill Level B under the pre-2022 NOC system. NOC 44101 (home-based PSW) is TEER 4,

which was previously Skill Level C. Only TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 occupations qualify for Express

Entry.

Which NOC does a personal support worker come under?

Personal support workers can come under either NOC 44101 or NOC 33102. The determining

factor is your primary work location and the nature of your duties. If you are preparing an

immigration application and are unsure which code applies, consult a Regulated Canadian

Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before submitting — misclassification is one of the most common

and costly errors in work permit and PR applications.

Whether you are a home support worker exploring your options or a facility-based PSW planning your Express Entry profile, the details in your file matter. Book a consultation with Amir Ansari RCIC to confirm your NOC code, review your eligibility, and map out the right pathway based on your actual work history and immigration goals.

This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Program criteria, requirements, processing times, and selection approaches can change without notice. Always confirm details on official government websites or consult a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for advice specific to your situation.