If you work as a pest control technician in Canada or get CAQ, you may have heard that getting a trade certificate can increase your Express Entry CRS score by up to 50 points.
But is this really possible?
The short answer is: Yes, a pest control technician may be able to benefit from the Certificate of Qualification (CAQ) points under Express Entry — but simply working as a pest control technician or having a certificate from an employer does not automatically give you 50 CRS points.
There are specific requirements you need to meet.
In this article, Eiffel Immigration explains the rules in simple language.
What NOC Is Pest Control Technician in Canada?
Under Canada’s current NOC 2021 system, pest controllers and fumigators are classified under:
NOC 73202 – Pest controllers and fumigators
TEER Category: 3
This occupation includes workers who control and eliminate insects, rodents and other pests in residential, commercial and other buildings.
Being classified under TEER 3 is important because TEER 3 occupations can qualify as skilled work for several Express Entry pathways, depending on the program requirements.
Can Pest Control Technicians Get 50 CRS Points?
Potentially, yes.
The Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) provides additional points for a Certificate of Qualification in a trade occupation.
According to IRCC, a candidate with a Certificate of Qualification can receive:
- 25 CRS points when combined with CLB 5 or higher in all four first-language abilities, with at least one ability below CLB 7; or
- 50 CRS points when combined with CLB 7 or higher in all four first-language abilities.
Therefore, the certificate itself does not automatically mean that you receive 50 points. Your language score also matters.
Example
Suppose you are working as a pest control technician and have obtained a valid Canadian Certificate of Qualification.
If you also have CLB 7 or higher in English or French in all four language abilities, you may qualify for the maximum 50 CRS points under this factor.
That could make a significant difference if you are close to the CRS cut-off in an Express Entry draw.
What Is a Certificate of Qualification (CAQ)?
A Certificate of Qualification (CAQ) is an official credential showing that you have met the requirements to practise a particular skilled trade in a Canadian province or territory.
Generally, the certification process can involve things such as:
- Meeting trade experience requirements
- Completing required training
- Passing a certification examination
- Meeting provincial or territorial requirements
IRCC explains that a Certificate of Qualification demonstrates that a person is qualified to work in a skilled trade and is issued by the appropriate provincial, territorial or federal authority.
This is different from simply having a training certificate, employer certificate or private course certificate.
Is CAQ the Same as a Certificate of Qualification?
This is where many applicants get confused.
The term CAQ can refer to different things depending on the immigration context. For example, in Quebec immigration, CAQ commonly refers to the Certificat d’acceptation du Québec.
However, when talking about the Express Entry CRS benefit for skilled trades, the important document is a Certificate of Qualification, not a Quebec CAQ.
So, if you are searching online for “CAQ for pest control technician”, make sure you understand which certificate you actually need.
For CRS purposes, the question is whether you have an eligible Certificate of Qualification issued by the appropriate Canadian trade authority.
Does Pest Control Fall Under Skilled Trades?
This is an important question.
Pest controllers and fumigators are classified as NOC 73202, TEER 3.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program covers skilled trades in specified NOC groups, including occupations within Major Group 73 – General trades.
However, being classified as a trade occupation does not mean that every certificate you receive automatically qualifies for CRS points.
The certificate must meet IRCC’s requirements for a Certificate of Qualification.
What About the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
A Certificate of Qualification can be particularly important for applicants considering the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Under the FSTP, an applicant generally needs either:
- A valid job offer of full-time employment for at least one year; or
- A Certificate of Qualification in the applicable skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority.
There are also separate requirements for work experience, language ability and other eligibility criteria.
So, a pest control technician should not assume that obtaining a certificate automatically makes them eligible for permanent residence.
Your complete immigration profile still needs to be assessed.
How Can the 50 CRS Points Help?
CRS scores can be extremely competitive.
For some applicants, an additional 50 points can make the difference between remaining in the Express Entry pool and receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
For example:
Before Certificate of Qualification (CAQ): 475 CRS
Potential additional points: +50
New CRS: 525
Of course, this is only an example. Your actual CRS score depends on your age, education, language results, Canadian work experience, foreign work experience, spouse factors and other applicable factors.
Also remember that an Express Entry profile does not guarantee an ITA. Your invitation depends on your ranking and the requirements of the particular draw.
What Language Score Do You Need for 50 Points?
This is one of the most important parts.
To receive the maximum 50 CRS points under the Certificate of Qualification (CAQ) skill-transferability factor, you need CLB 7 or higher in all four abilities of your first official language.
The four abilities are:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
If your language results are lower, you may receive fewer points.
According to IRCC’s CRS table, a Certificate of Qualification (CAQ) combined with CLB 5 or higher can provide 25 points in the lower language scenario, while CLB 7 or higher in all four abilities can provide the maximum 50 points.
Do You Automatically Get 50 Points After Working in Canada?
No.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions.
Simply having:
- Canadian pest control experience
- A pest control job
- NOC 73202 experience
- A company training certificate
- A pesticide applicator licence
- A workplace safety certificate
does not automatically mean that you receive 50 CRS points under the Certificate of Qualification factor.
The document and issuing authority need to be examined to determine whether it qualifies as a Certificate of Qualification for Express Entry purposes.
What Should Pest Control Technicians Do Next?
If you are working in pest control and planning to apply for Canadian permanent residence, don’t look only at your current CRS score.
You should consider whether obtaining a recognized trade qualification could improve your profile.
A proper assessment should look at:
1. Your NOC
Confirm that your actual job duties match NOC 73202.
2. Your province
Trade certification requirements can vary between provinces and territories.
3. Your work experience
Review whether your Canadian or foreign experience meets the requirements of the immigration program you are considering.
4. Your language score
Check whether you have CLB 7 or higher in all four abilities.
5. Your education
Your education and Educational Credential Assessment, where applicable, can also affect your CRS score.
6. Your complete CRS calculation
Don’t assume that adding 50 points is the only way to improve your Express Entry profile.
Final Takeaway
If you are a pest control technician in Canada, your occupation is currently classified as NOC 73202 – Pest controllers and fumigators, TEER 3.
You may be able to receive up to 50 additional CRS points through a qualifying Certificate of Qualification (CAQ), provided you meet the applicable requirements and have the required language level.
But remember:
A certificate does not automatically equal 50 CRS points.
Your language results are critical, and the document must be a qualifying Certificate of Qualification issued by the appropriate Canadian authority.
If you are searching for information about CAQ, Certificate of Qualification, pest control technician immigration or Express Entry CRS points, it is important to distinguish between these documents and understand which one applies to your immigration pathway.
Thinking About Canadian PR?
Your job title may be just one part of your immigration story — your duties, qualifications and overall profile matter too.
