NOC 21120 is the Canadian National Occupational Classification code for Public and environmental health and safety professionals. It is classified TEER 1 — Usually require a university degree, which meets the skill requirement for Express Entry. An officer decides whether you can claim this code by comparing the duties written in your reference letter against the official main duties below — not by your job title.
Classification
Natural & applied sciences
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Definition
Public and environmental health and safety professionals review, evaluate and monitor public health and environmental safety hazards and develop strategies to prevent, control and eliminate disease and environmental impact caused by biological and chemical factors. They inspect restaurants, industrial establishments, municipal water systems, public facilities and institutions to ensure compliance with government regulations regarding sanitation, pollution control and the handling and storage of hazardous substances. They are employed throughout the public and private sectors.
Main duties
Example job titles
Overview
NOC 21120, which classifies public and environmental health and safety professionals under the ESDC NOC 2021 system, represents skilled TEER 1 occupations essential to Canada's public safety framework. Professionals in this unit group inspect physical environments, workplaces, and public facilities to ensure compliance with strict government regulations regarding sanitation, pollution control, hazardous materials, and workplace health and safety. They are primarily employed by federal, provincial, and municipal government departments, public health units, environmental agencies, and private sector corporations.
To qualify under NOC 21120, candidates typically require a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, such as environmental health, occupational health and safety, chemistry, or biology. For specific public health roles, certification with the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) is mandatory. As a TEER 1 occupation, high-skilled professionals in this category are eligible for key Canadian immigration pathways, including the Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and numerous Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Typical duties in this role involve inspecting food establishments, public institutions, and industrial sites, as well as investigating complaints, evaluating environmental hazards, and enforcing compliance legislation.
Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.
Yes — Public and environmental health and safety professionals is TEER 1, and TEER 0–3 occupations meet the skill-level requirement for Express Entry programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Full eligibility also depends on your work experience, language results and other program criteria.
Public and environmental health and safety professionals is classified as TEER 1 — Usually require a university degree. Always confirm the exact employment requirements on the official NOC profile before relying on them.
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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.