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NOC 32100 is the Canadian National Occupational Classification code for Opticians. It is classified TEER 2 — College diploma, apprenticeship (2+ yrs) or supervisory, 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
Health
3 › 32 › 321 › 3210
Definition
Opticians assist clients in the selection of eyeglass frames, take the necessary measurements and arrange for the production of eyeglasses or contact lenses, mount lenses in eyeglass frames and fit clients with final prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They are employed in optical retail outlets or other establishments with optical dispensing departments, or they may be self-employed. Student opticians and opticians who are managers of optical retail outlets are included in this unit group.
Main duties
Example job titles
Overview
Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, opticians are categorized under NOC code 32100. This occupation belongs to TEER category 2, which makes it highly eligible for key Canadian economic immigration pathways, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program managed through the Express Entry system, as well as various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Opticians in Canada design, fit, and dispense corrective spectacles, contact lenses, and other optical appliances based on the written prescriptions of ophthalmic medical practitioners or optometrists.
To qualify for immigration and practice as an optician in Canada, candidates must meet specific professional standards. Employment requirements typically include the completion of a two-to-three year college program in ophthalmic dispensing and a period of supervised practical training. Licensing by the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body is mandatory in all provinces to legally practice and use the title of Registered Optician. Typical duties include interpreting optical prescriptions, taking precise facial measurements, advising clients on lens and frame selection, and adapting or fitting optical devices to meet individual patient needs.
Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.
Commonly confused codes
Yes — Opticians is TEER 2, 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.
Opticians is classified as TEER 2 — College diploma, apprenticeship (2+ yrs) or supervisory. Always confirm the exact employment requirements on the official NOC profile before relying on them.
Applicants most often mix up 32100 with 31111 (Optometrists). If your real day-to-day duties fit one of those codes better, that mismatch is exactly what an officer flags — double-check before you submit.
Yes — Opticians is regulated in Québec, so practising there requires recognition from the relevant professional body, and Québec immigration programs take this into account.
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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.