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NOC 31101: Specialists in surgery
NOC 31101 is a TEER 1 occupation. It counts as skilled work for Express Entry under FSW and CEC. It is on the 2026 Healthcare and social services and Physicians with Canadian work experience category lists. The latest round for that category (#441, September 4, 2026) invited 3,500 candidates at a CRS cutoff of 475.
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Specialists in surgery perform and supervise surgical procedures. Specialists in surgery usually work in hospitals. Residents in training to become specialists in surgery are included in this unit group.
Job titles filed under this code
Official example titles
- cardiac surgeon
- general surgeon
- neurosurgeon
- obstetrician-gynecologist
- ophthalmologist
- orthopedic surgeon
- orthopedist
- otorhinolaryngologist
- pediatric surgeon
- plastic surgeon
- thoracic surgeon
- urologist
- vascular surgeon
Not this code
Close occupations that have their own code
- Chiropractors → 31201
- Dental surgeon → 31110 Dentists
- General practitioners and family physicians → 31102
- Immunologist → 21110 Biologists and related scientists
- Managers in health care → 30010
- Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating → 31209
- Physicians assistants, midwives and allied health professionals → 31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine → 31100
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
General surgeons
- Treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by invasive, minimally-invasive, or non-invasive surgical methods, such as using instruments, appliances, or by manual manipulation.
Obstetricians and gynecologists
- Provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth. Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general medical care to women. May perform both medical and gynecological surgery functions.
Ophthalmologists
- Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries of the eyes and related structures.
Urologists
- Diagnose, treat, and help prevent benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the renal glands.
Other specialists in surgery
- Assess patients' diseases or disorders to determine appropriate surgical procedures.
Perform and supervise surgical procedures to correct physical abnormalities and deficiencies and repair injuries.
Act as consultants to other physicians.
What this code means for Express Entry
TEER 0–3 work counts toward the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
One year of this work in Canada can qualify for the Canadian Experience Class.
Not in a Federal Skilled Trades group.
Category-based rounds that list this code
| Category | Latest round | CRS | Invitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare and social services occupations | #441 · Sep 4, 2026 | 475 | 3,500 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience Canadian experience | #440 · Sep 3, 2026 | 198 | 229 |
To be invited in a category round you need at least 12 months of full-time work in a listed occupation within the last 3 years, on top of qualifying for Express Entry.
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The code is carried into every tool on this site, so you only enter it once.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree or in Quebec, completion of a college program and one year of pre-medicine university studies is usually required.
- Graduation from an approved medical school and specific specialty training are required.
- Completion of the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and licensing by the provincial or territorial licensing authority are required.
- Five to six years of specialty residency training are required.
- Two years of subspecialty training may also be required.
Good to know
- Progression to management positions, such as chief of surgery, is possible with experience.
Codes in the same group
Official sources
- noc.esdc.gc.caNOC 2021 Version 1.0: 31101 Specialists in surgery
- statcan.gc.caStatistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
- canada.caIRCC: Find your National Occupational Classification (NOC)
- canada.caIRCC: Express Entry, who can apply
- canada.caIRCC: Express Entry category-based selection