NOC 33103 — Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
NOC 2021 code 33103 covers pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants. This guide explains what the code means, how it connects to Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs, and what to verify before using it in an immigration profile. Always confirm the official duties and requirements on noc.esdc.gc.ca.
NOC 33103 snapshot
| NOC 2021 code | 33103 |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
| TEER | TEER 3 — Technical, college diploma or apprenticeship under 2 yrs |
| Express Entry relevance | Eligible occupation for FSW / CEC (if program criteria met) |
| Category-based draws | Healthcare and social services |
What NOC 33103 covers
Assist pharmacists with prescription dispensing and inventory.
Job title alone is not enough for an immigration application — officers compare the duties you actually performed against the official NOC lead statement and main duties. Before claiming this code, read the full duty list on the official NOC 33103 profile and make sure your real responsibilities substantially match.
Express Entry eligibility for NOC 33103
| Program | How NOC 33103 may matter |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) | May qualify — FSW accepts TEER 0–3 occupations if you meet the FSW points grid (age, education, language, experience). |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | May qualify with at least 1 year of skilled Canadian work experience in this NOC plus the required language level. |
| Federal Skilled Trades (FST) | Usually not the pathway — FST targets skilled-trades occupations (major groups 72/73/82/92). |
You must still meet language, education, work-history, and settlement-funds requirements (where applicable). Estimate your score with the CRS Calculator.
Category-based draw eligibility
- Healthcare and social services
Provinces & PNP options for NOC 33103
| Province | Why it may matter |
|---|---|
| Ontario | Runs Provincial Nominee streams that can select candidates with this occupation when there is local labour demand. Criteria differ by stream. |
| British Columbia | Runs Provincial Nominee streams that can select candidates with this occupation when there is local labour demand. Criteria differ by stream. |
| Alberta | Runs Provincial Nominee streams that can select candidates with this occupation when there is local labour demand. Criteria differ by stream. |
| Quebec | Runs Provincial Nominee streams that can select candidates with this occupation when there is local labour demand. Criteria differ by stream. |
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. See the PNP guide and Express Entry vs PNP.
Evidence to prepare for NOC 33103
- Employer reference letter(s) on company letterhead
- Job title, employment dates, and hours per week
- Salary and pay records where available
- A duties description matching the official NOC
- Contracts or offer letters
- Tax or employment documents (e.g. T4, pay stubs)
Official source
NOC eligibility is one factor among many. Verify the official lead statement, main duties, and employment requirements on the Government of Canada NOC 33103 profile, and confirm current Express Entry rules on canada.ca.
NOC 33103 — FAQ
Is NOC 33103 eligible for Express Entry?
NOC 33103 is TEER 3, which can be eligible for the FSW and CEC programs if you also meet that program's language, education, and work-experience requirements. The NOC code alone does not guarantee eligibility or an invitation.
Does my job title need to say "pharmacy" exactly?
No. Immigration officers assess the duties you actually performed, not your job title. Your real duties should substantially match the official NOC lead statement and main duties on noc.esdc.gc.ca.
Is NOC 33103 in a category-based Express Entry draw?
As tagged here, NOC 33103 maps to: Healthcare and social services. IRCC changes category lists over time, so confirm the current official category page before relying on it.
Can NOC 33103 help with a Provincial Nominee Program?
Possibly. Provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta run streams that can select candidates with relevant occupations, but each province sets its own criteria and in-demand lists.
Related TEER 3 occupations