NOC 32101: Licensed practical nurses
Licensed practical nurses provide nursing care usually under the direction of medical practitioners, registered nurses or other health team members. Operating room technicians prepare patients and provide assistance to medical practitioners prior to and during surgery. Licensed practical nurses are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctors' offices, clinics, companies, private homes and community health centres. Operating room technicians are employed in hospitals.
Official Main Duties for NOC 32101
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 32101
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Licensed practical nurses is categorized under TEER 2. Occupations in this tier typically require completion of a 2- to 3-year post-secondary diploma, apprenticeship training, or specialized technical certifications.
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
Designated under IRCC's Healthcare Priority Stream →. Candidates with 6 months of qualifying Canadian or foreign experience in this NOC can receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) at significantly lower CRS cutoff thresholds.
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 32101.
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) | $25 | $31.32/hr | $38 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $26.44/hr | $29.58/hr | $32.08/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $25/hr | $31/hr | $32.25/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $28/hr | $30.42/hr | $35.11/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $27/hr | $31.5/hr | $35/hr |
| Quebec → | $24.21/hr | $30/hr | $33/hr |
| Ontario → | $25.32/hr | $31/hr | $37.94/hr |
| Manitoba → | $25/hr | $33.57/hr | $38.57/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $33/hr | $38.09/hr | $42/hr |
| Alberta → | $25.8/hr | $32/hr | $36/hr |
| British Columbia → | $29/hr | $34.57/hr | $42/hr |
| Yukon → | $38/hr | $43.5/hr | $53/hr |
| Northwest Territories → | $30/hr | $44.15/hr | $48.86/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:
- Completion of a vocational, college or other approved program for licensed practical nurses is required.
- Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.
- Completion of a registration examination is required in all provinces and territories.
- Operating room technicians require additional academic training in operating room techniques.
Official Job Titles for NOC 32101
14 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:
- Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations (See 44101 Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations)View NOC 44101→
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (See 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates)View NOC 33102→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 32101 (Licensed practical nurses)
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 32101, explore your TEER 2 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.