22100 Chemical technologists and technicians

What this occupation covers

Chemical technologists and technicians provide technical support and services or may work independently in chemical engineering, chemical and biochemical research and analysis, industrial chemistry, chemical quality control and environmental protection. They are employed by research and development and quality control laboratories, consulting engineering companies, in chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and a variety of other manufacturing and processing industries, and by utilities, health, educational and government establishments.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 14 main duties for this code.

• Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests and analyses using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical and chemical separation techniques and microscopy
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus and prepare solutions of gas or liquid, reagents, and sample formulations
• Compile records and interpret experimental or analytical results
• Develop and conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates and products
• Assist in the development of chemical engineering processes, studies of chemical engineering procurement, construction, inspection and maintenance and the development of standards, procedures and health and safety measures
• Operate experimental chemical or petrochemical pilot plants
• Conduct or assist in air and water quality testing and assessments, environmental monitoring and protection activities, and development of and compliance with standards
• Assist in synthesis of small molecules for the purpose of creating drug candidates
• Assist in the design and fabrication of experimental apparatus.
• Assist in setting up and conducting chemical experiments, tests and analyses
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus and prepare solutions of gas and liquid, reagents and sample formulations
• Compile records for analytical studies
• Assist in developing and conducting programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards
• Carry out a limited range of other technical functions in support of chemical research, tests and analyses, and environmental air and water quality monitoring and protection

Do not copy these lines into your reference letter. The letter has to describe what you actually did, in your employer’s words. DUTYPROOF flags wording lifted from the NOC as something to review, and an officer reading a letter that mirrors the NOC reads it the same way.

What DUTYPROOF screens for

This is DUTYPROOF’s screening threshold, not IRCC’s decision. For this NOC, screening requires at least 3 of its 14 official duties to be evidenced in your own words, plus the required letter elements. IRCC asks that you performed the actions in the occupation’s lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties — so treat the duty coverage as the number that matters, not the badge.

Codes this one is confused with

The NOC profile names these itself. Choosing the wrong code of a look-alike pair is the most common way genuine work experience fails to establish eligibility.

• 32120 Medical laboratory technologists
• 93101 Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing

Excluded from this code

• Medical laboratory biochemistry technologist (See 32120 Medical laboratory technologists)
• Process technician - chemical processing (See 93101 Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing)

Job titles filed under this code

A title on this list does not by itself put your experience in this code — the duties in your letter decide that.

analytical chemistry technician · analytical chemistry technologist · biochemistry laboratory technician · biochemistry laboratory technologist · biochemistry technician (except medical) · biochemistry technologist · biochemistry technologist (except medical) · brewery technician · brewery technician - applied chemistry · cellulose film solutions tester · chemical analysis specialist · chemical analyst · chemical engineering technician · chemical engineering technologist · chemical forensic lab analyst · chemical laboratory analyst · chemical laboratory supervisor · chemical laboratory technician · chemical laboratory technologist · chemical process analyst · chemical process technologist · chemical processing laboratory tester · chemical processing quality control technician · chemical processing quality control technologist

Employment requirements

• Chemical technologists usually require completion of a two- or three-year college program in chemical, biochemical or chemical engineering technology or a closely related discipline.
• Chemical technicians usually require completion of a one- or two-year college program in chemical, biochemical or chemical engineering technology.
• National certification for chemical technologists and technicians is available through the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology.
• Certification in chemical engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by employers.
• Chemical technologists and technicians are regulated in Quebec and Alberta.
• A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.