22110 Biological technologists and technicians

What this occupation covers

Biological technologists and technicians provide technical support and services to scientists, engineers and other professionals working in fields such as agriculture, resource management, environmental protection, plant and animal biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology and health sciences, or may work independently in these fields. They are employed in both laboratory and field settings by governments, manufacturers of food products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology companies, health, research and educational institutions, environmental consulting companies, and resource and utilities companies.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 11 main duties for this code.

• Set up and conduct biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses in support of research and quality control in food production, sanitation, pharmaceutical production, biotechnology and other fields
• Apply methods and techniques such as microscopy, histochemistry, chromatography, electrophoresis and spectroscopy
• Perform experimental procedures in agriculture, plant breeding, animal husbandry, biology and biomedical research
• Conduct field research and surveys to collect data and samples of water, soil, and plant and animal populations
• Conduct environmental monitoring and compliance activities for the protection of fisheries stock, wildlife and other natural resources
• Analyze data and prepare reports
• Conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatchery, greenhouse and livestock production programs.
• Assist in conducting biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses
• Perform limited range of technical functions in support of agriculture, plant breeding, animal husbandry, biology, biomedical research and environmental protection
• Assist in conducting field research and surveys to collect data and samples of water, soil, and plant and animal populations
• Assist in analysis of data and preparation of reports.

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 2 of its 11 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.

• 22111 Agricultural and fish products inspectors
• 22100 Chemical technologists and technicians
• 21110 Biologists and related scientists
• 22310 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
• 22113 Conservation and fishery officers
• 22112 Forestry technologists and technicians
• 33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
• 32120 Medical laboratory technologists

Excluded from this code

• Agricultural and fish products inspectors (See 22111 Agricultural and fish products inspectors)
• Biochemistry laboratory technician (See 22100 Chemical technologists and technicians)
• Biochemistry technologist (See 22100 Chemical technologists and technicians)
• Biologists and related scientists (See 21110 Biologists and related scientists)
• Biomedical engineering technologist (See 22310 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians)
• Conservation and fishery officers (See 22113 Conservation and fishery officers)
• Forestry technologists and technicians (See 22112 Forestry technologists and technicians)
• Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (See 33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations)
• Medical laboratory technologists (See 32120 Medical laboratory technologists)

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.

agricultural sciences technician · agricultural technician · agricultural technologist · agrology technician · agrology technologist · agronomy technician · agronomy technologist · aquaculture technician · aquatic biology technician · bacteriological technician · bacteriological technologist · biological forensic laboratory technologist · biological laboratory technologist · biological technician · biological technologist · biotechnology technician · botanical technician · botanical technologist · crop production technician · dairy products technician · dairy technologist · ecological technician · ecological technologist · eel culture technician

Employment requirements

• Completion of a two- to three-year college program in a field related to agriculture, biology, microbiology, wildlife or resource management is usually required for employment as a biological technologist.
• Completion of a one- to two-year college program in a related field is required for employment as a biological technician.
• Certification with provincial associations is available, but voluntary.