NOC 31200: Psychologists
Psychologists assess and diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients, provide therapy, conduct research and apply theory relating to behaviour and mental processes. Psychologists help clients work toward the maintenance and enhancement of psychological, physical, intellectual, emotional, social and interpersonal functioning. They work in private practice or in clinics, correctional facilities, hospitals, mental health facilities, rehabilitation centres, community service organizations, businesses, schools and universities, and in government and private research agencies.
Official Main Duties for NOC 31200
Select the duties you perform in your actual job. Under IRCC guidelines, you must perform at least 60% of these duties for a successful work permit or PR reference letter.
Your employer reference letter must confirm you performed the main actions described in the duties above. Avoid copying words directly from the NOC description — officers expect natural job descriptions with specific company context.
Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 31200
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Psychologists is categorized under TEER 1. Occupations in this tier typically require a university degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) or substantial managerial tenure.
Express Entry Alignment
Qualifies directly for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry. Work experience must be full-time (or equivalent part-time) and continuous for at least one year.
Target Category Status
Currently evaluated under standard General and CEC invitation rounds, or targeted through provincial in-demand lists such as Ontario (OINP), British Columbia (BC PNP), or Alberta (AAIP).
NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 Transition & Equivalency
Under Canada's previous NOC 2016 classification, this occupation was mapped under the following 4-digit code(s). When preparing your Express Entry profile or work reference letters, you must use the new 5-digit code NOC 31200.
4151 continues as 31200 and part transferred to 41301
Regional Wages Across Canada
Under Canadian immigration law, an employer hiring you under an LMIA must pay you at least the median wage listed below for your province.
| Province / Territory | Low Wage | Median Wage | High Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (National Average) | $37.65 | $52.88/hr | $77.43 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $35.75/hr | $48.31/hr | $56.71/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $33.95/hr | $48.91/hr | $63.23/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $32.68/hr | $45.1/hr | $55.12/hr |
| Quebec → | $38.6/hr | $50/hr | $60/hr |
| Ontario → | $34.62/hr | $51.82/hr | $70.71/hr |
| Manitoba → | $33.65/hr | $48.08/hr | $64.1/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $36.35/hr | $51/hr | $65/hr |
| Alberta → | $43.87/hr | $58/hr | $109/hr |
| British Columbia → | $33.09/hr | $49.09/hr | $66.84/hr |
🏙️Top Metropolitan Cities Wage Rates (ESDC 2025/2026)
Economic Region BenchmarksOfficial ESDC prevailing median wages across major Canadian metropolitan regions. Crucial for LMIA prevailing wage compliance and local job offer evaluations.
Employment Requirements
These are the education, training, and certification standards usually required by Canadian employers for this occupation:
- A doctoral degree in psychology is required in order to use the designation "Psychologist" in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.
- A master's degree in psychology is required for the designation "Psychologist" in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- A master's degree in psychology is required in order to use the designation "Psychological Associate" in Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.
- A period of supervised practical experience is required in most jurisdictions.
- Successful completion of the written Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is required in most provinces.
- Oral examinations and board interviews are required in some provinces.
- Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- Written ethics and jurisprudence exams may be required in some jurisdictions.
- Psychologists can become specialized in a particular area through training and experience.
Official Job Titles for NOC 31200
12 Titles ListedIf your current job title matches any of these official examples, this NOC code is likely the right choice for your Express Entry reference letter:
Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)
Check this list to make sure your actual job is not classified under one of these related codes:
- Psychiatrist (See 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine)View NOC 31100→
- Psychology assistant (except university) (See 41403 Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers)View NOC 41403→
- Psychology professor - university (See 41200 University professors and lecturers)View NOC 41200→
- Psychology research assistant (except university) (See 12113 Statistical officers and related research support occupations)View NOC 12113→
- Psychometrist (See 41409 Other professional occupations in social science)View NOC 41409→
- Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (See 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies)View NOC 41301→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 31200 (Psychologists)
Essential answers regarding Express Entry eligibility, LMIA prevailing wage compliance, and official reference letter rules.
Check Your Express Entry Score & Latest Cutoffs
Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 31200, explore your TEER 1 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.