Yes — NOC 31102 is TEER 1, the highest skill level under NOC 2021. It qualifies for all Express Entry programs (FSW, CEC, FST) and all PNP skilled-worker streams. It also makes you eligible for Healthcare category-based draws.

Can specialist physicians use NOC 31102?

No. Specialist physicians fall under NOC 31100 (Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine) or NOC 31101 (Specialists in surgery), depending on their area of practice. NOC 31102 is specifically for general practitioners and family physicians who provide primary, continuous care.

Does NOC 31102 include resident physicians?

Medical residents in training programs are generally classified under NOC 31100 or 31101 based on their specialty rotation. Once they complete residency and begin independent practice as a GP or family physician, they transition to NOC 31102. The reference letter must reflect independent patient care duties, not supervised training.

NOC 31102 — General practitioners and family physicians

NOC 31102 covers medical doctors who provide primary, continuous, and comprehensive care to patients and families. It's one of the most in-demand NOC codes in Canada and qualifies for Healthcare category-based Express Entry draws — but it's frequently confused with specialist physician NOCs.

Knowing your NOC code is only half the equation. IRCC doesn't ask what your code is — they ask whether your reference letter duties prove it. Most refusals at the eligibility stage aren't wrong NOC codes, they're correct codes (like 31102 for general practitioners and family physicians) with reference letters that don't back them up.

A NOC code that doesn't match your actual duties isn't just a paperwork issue — IRCC can treat it as misrepresentation, which carries consequences that go well beyond a single refused application.

Confirming your NOC code before you submit is a lot cheaper than correcting it after.

Educational information only, not legal advice. Consequences vary based on individual circumstances.

Real example: A General Practitioner applicant claimed NOC 31102 but their reference letter described clinical support and record-keeping in a non-diagnostic role, not the diagnosis and treatment duties NOC 31102 requires. Refused at the eligibility stage.

✓ 3,000+ NOC codes verified

Am I safe to submit? →Generate my reference letter →

At a glance

NOC 2021 code: 31102
Title: General practitioners and family physicians
TEER: 1
Eligible: FSW, CEC, all PNPs, Healthcare category draws

Official main duties

Examine patients and take their histories, order laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic procedures, and consult with other medical practitioners to evaluate patients' physical and mental health.
Diagnose and treat the diseases, physiological disorders and injuries of patients.
Prescribe and administer medications and treatments.
Perform and assist in routine surgery.
Provide emergency care.
Provide acute care management.
Immunize patients against preventable diseases.
Deliver babies and provide prenatal and postnatal care.
Report births, deaths, contagious and other diseases to government authorities.
Advise patients on health care and disease prevention.
Refer patients to specialists for specific treatments.

31102 vs 31100 / 31101 — GP or specialist?

NOC 31102 is for general practice — primary care, family medicine, and continuous patient management across a broad range of conditions. NOC 31100 covers specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (cardiologists, neurologists, etc.), while NOC 31101 covers surgical specialists. If your work involves primarily specialist consultations, procedures, or hospital-based specialty practice, one of the specialist NOCs may be more accurate. Your reference letter must reflect the breadth of primary care, not just specialty work.

Healthcare category draws

NOC 31102 qualifies for IRCC's Healthcare category-based Express Entry draws. These targeted draws have lower CRS cutoffs than general draws and are issued specifically for in-demand healthcare occupations. A correctly classified NOC 31102 application can receive an ITA at a significantly lower score than required in general rounds.

Reference letter — sample wording

"As a General Practitioner, [Name] examined patients and took comprehensive medical histories, ordered and interpreted laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging, diagnosed and treated acute and chronic diseases, prescribed medications and treatments, performed minor surgical procedures, provided prenatal and postnatal care, delivered babies, administered immunizations, and referred patients to specialist physicians when indicated. 40 hours/week, CAD $185,000 + benefits."

What IRCC actually checks

What surprises most applicants: IRCC officers compare your reference letter duty lines word-by-word against the official NOC duty list. Generic phrases like “managed projects” or “supported the team” fail this check every time.

IRCC refused 23% of Express Entry applicants at the eligibility stage. A $9.99 check is insurance against a $1,500+ mistake.

Healthcare category draws don’t forgive misclassifications

31102 cut-offs run 50–100 CRS points lower than general draws — but only if your duties actually support it. Score your reference letter before the next round closes.

Check My NOC

FAQ

Is NOC 31102 TEER 1?: Yes — NOC 31102 is TEER 1, the highest skill level under NOC 2021. It qualifies for all Express Entry programs (FSW, CEC, FST) and all PNP skilled-worker streams. It also makes you eligible for Healthcare category-based draws.
Can specialist physicians use NOC 31102?: No. Specialist physicians fall under NOC 31100 (Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine) or NOC 31101 (Specialists in surgery), depending on their area of practice. NOC 31102 is specifically for general practitioners and family physicians who provide primary, continuous care.
Does NOC 31102 include resident physicians?: Medical residents in training programs are generally classified under NOC 31100 or 31101 based on their specialty rotation. Once they complete residency and begin independent practice as a GP or family physician, they transition to NOC 31102. The reference letter must reflect independent patient care duties, not supervised training.

Last updated: June 2026