Occupational Code Assignment (OCA)

An occupational code assignment (OCA) is a process established to help occupational information users relate a job title or occupational specialty to an O*NET-SOC occupation. Businesses, training and educational institutions, labor and occupational organizations, and professional associations can use the OCA process to determine if a job title or occupational specialty is recognized within the O*NET-SOC system and the U.S. labor market.

Understanding the Occupational Code Assignment (OCA) Process

What is an occupational code assignment?

An occupational code assignment (OCA) is a process established to help occupational information users relate a job title or occupational specialty to an O*NET-SOC occupation. The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) is a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) based system. Businesses, training and educational institutions, labor and occupational organizations, and professional associations can use the OCA process to determine if a job title or occupational specialty is recognized within the O*NET-SOC system and the U.S. labor market.

The information gathered during the OCA process:

  1. leads to code assignments for customers,
  2. helps update the O*NET alternate titles database, and
  3. is considered during the O*NET-SOC occupational classification review and development.

What is the O*NET-SOC System?

The O*NET-SOC system organizes the work done in our nation into approximately 1000 occupational categories. These occupations have associated data on the importance and level of a range of occupational characteristics, including Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Tasks, and General Work Activities. All of this occupational information has been compiled into a database and is available as free, downloadable files. Furthermore, an internet application of the database, referred to as O*NET OnLine, allows the database to be easily viewed and utilized for searches of occupational information.

The O*NET-SOC system is based on the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. The Office of Management and Budget has mandated the use of this classification system for all federal agencies that collect and disseminate occupational information.

What is the importance of the occupational code assignment process?

After receiving a code and title assignment, you will be able to review detailed information on the occupation within the O*NET-SOC system and link to other sources of national, state, and local SOC-based occupational information.

If the job title you submit is new to the O*NET-SOC system and the analyst codes it to an existing occupation, we will add the title to the Alternate Titles file. This file is updated on a regularly scheduled basis and is one of the files used to facilitate occupational searches within O*NET OnLine. Individuals may also see the submitted title, along with other related job and occupational titles, when reviewing O*NET occupational reports.

Submitting information to the OCA process, however, does not necessarily mean that the O*NET-SOC system will classify this information as a new O*NET-SOC code and title. Such a designation cannot be made based on a single identification of a new job title or occupational specialty. Rather, new O*NET-SOC codes and titles will be determined based on considerations of frequency and prevalence in multiple sources, including transactions analysis of entries into online job banks and other occupationally relevant websites.

How do I obtain an occupational code assignment?

Prior to obtaining an OCA, it is advisable to conduct a thorough search of O*NET OnLine to determine if the occupational code and title you are seeking already exists within the O*NET-SOC system. O*NET OnLine was developed to assist workforce professionals in coding jobs. If you are unable to match your job title and information to an O*NET-SOC occupational code and title, you will benefit from using the OCA process.

To obtain an OCA, you must submit occupational information, via an OCA Form - Part A, to the National Center for O*NET Development. The submitted information will be reviewed by an occupational analyst. Upon analysis, the analyst will send you an OCA Form - Part B that will list and explain the code assignment.

What if I have further inquiries?

For further information on the O*NET-SOC system or to learn about other products or programs related to the O*NET Project, see the O*NET Resource Center. For specific questions on O*NET OnLine, contact O*NET Customer Service (onet@onetcenter.org).

Understanding the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Guidelines

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has published Classification Guidelines as part of their SOC Manual to ensure that all users of occupational data classify workers the same way. Although developed for SOC, the basic principles also apply to the O*NET-SOC system.

Classification Guidelines

In order to ensure that all users of occupational data classify workers the same way, the following classification principles should be followed.

  1. The Classification covers all occupations in which work is performed for pay or profit, including work performed in family-operated enterprises by family members who are not directly compensated. It excludes occupations unique to volunteers. Each occupation is assigned to only one occupation at the lowest level of the classification.
  2. Occupations are classified based upon work performed, skills, education, training, and credentials.
  3. Supervisors of professional and technical workers usually have a background similar to the workers they supervise, and are therefore classified with the workers they supervise. Likewise, team leaders, lead workers and supervisors of production, sales, and service workers who spend at least 20 percent of their time performing work similar to the workers they supervise are classified with the workers they supervise.
  4. First-line managers and supervisors of production, service, and sales workers who spend more than 80 percent of their time performing supervisory activities are classified separately in the appropriate supervisor category, since their work activities are distinct from those of the workers they supervise. First-line managers are generally found in smaller establishments where they perform both supervisory and management functions, such as accounting, marketing, and personnel work.
  5. Apprentices and trainees should be classified with the occupations for which they are being trained, while helpers and aides should be classified separately.
  6. If an occupation is not included as a distinct detailed occupation in the structure, it is classified in the appropriate residual occupation. Residual occupations contain all occupations within a major, minor or broad group that are not classified separately.
  7. When workers may be classified in more than one occupation, they should be classified in the occupation that requires the highest level of skill. If there is no measurable difference in skill requirements, workers are included in the occupation they spend the most time.
  8. Data collection and reporting agencies should classify workers at the most detailed level possible. Different agencies may use different levels of aggregation, depending on their ability to collect data, and the requirements of users.

Users should code to the residual classifications (also known as the "All Others") ending with O*NET-SOC code 9.00 when there is no other appropriate classification.

Jobs should be coded to the most detailed level O*NET-SOC code appropriate.

Occupational Code Assignment (OCA) Form — Part A

OMB No. 1205-0137 — expires 11-30-2025

Instructions: An occupational code assignment (OCA) is a process established to help occupational information users relate a job title or occupational specialty to an O*NET-SOC occupation. The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) is a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) based system. The information gathered during the OCA process: 1. leads to code assignments for customers, 2. helps update the O*NET lay titles database, and 3. is considered during the O*NET-SOC occupational classification review and development.

Please complete the items on the Occupational Code Assignment (OCA) Form — Part A to the best of your ability. Items 1-6 collect contact information. For items 7-20, please provide the most accurate description of the job or occupation that you are attempting to locate in the O*NET system. Once received, an occupational analyst at the National Center for O*NET Development will review your answers to OCA Form — Part A. Upon analysis, the analyst will send you an OCA Form — Part B that will list and explain the code assignment.

1. Contact Name(s) and Organization Required

Include name(s) of individual(s) submitting request, as well as name of organization, agency, business, etc.

Please enter your name.
Please enter your organization.

2. Contact Address Required

Include city, state, and zip code.

Please enter your street address.
Please enter your city.
Please enter your state.
Please enter your zip code.

3. Check Appropriate Item Required

Please select one of these options.

4. E-mail Address(es) Required

  1. Please enter your e-mail address.

5. Telephone Number(s) Required

Include area code and 7 digit number, (xxx) xxx-xxxx

  1. Please enter your telephone number.

6. Date Submitted

7. Industry

In order of importance, list the primary industry or industries where this occupation is found. Representative industries are "construction," "educational services," "manufacturing," or "retail trade." Please include (NAICS) code(s), if known, or describe the product or service provided by establishments that employ this type of worker.

8. Title Required

Please enter the title of the job or occupation that you would like reviewed and assigned within the O*NET-SOC classification system.

Please enter the job or occupation title.

9. Summary Description of Job/Occupation Required

Summarize the overall objective or purpose of the occupation, such as "plan, direct, and coordinate training activities of an organization."

Please enter a summary of the job or occupation.

10. Tasks Required

In order of importance, list the most important and/or regularly performed tasks for this occupation. Please use action verbs, such as "appraises and inventories real and personal property," to begin these task statements. Representative tasks are "direct safety occupations in emergencies" or "prepare daily reports of fuel, oil, and accessory sales."

  1. Please enter at least one task.

11. Work Activities Required

In order of importance, list the most important and/or regularly performed generalized work activities for this occupation. Representative generalized work activities are "analyzing data or information," "making decisions or solving problems," or "communicating with people outside the organization."

  1. Please enter at least one work activity.

12. Interactions

List the types of people that individuals within this occupation interact with during a typical workweek. Representative interactions are "customers," "supervisor," "accountants," "lawyers," "students," "co-workers," or "patients."

13. Physical Activities

List the primary physical activities performed within this occupation. Representative physical activities are "load boxes on an assembly line," "climb up and down poles to install electricity," or "walk between work stations in a small office."

14. Knowledge Areas

In order of importance, list the knowledge areas required to perform the tasks and responsibilities of this occupation. Representative knowledge areas are "administration and management," "mathematics," "biology," "customer or personal service," "public safety and security," or "medical terminology."

15. Education

Please indicate the level of educational preparation typically requested or required to qualify for this occupation. The information you provide is subject to independent verification.

Formal education
Graduate education

16. Training/Experience

Please indicate the training/experience typically requested or required to qualify for this occupation. Please check all boxes that apply. The information you provide is subject to independent verification.

17. Tools or Technology Used

In order of importance, list the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology or devices workers may use to perform the tasks and responsibilities of this occupation. Representative tools and technology are "lathe," "hand tools," "environmental monitoring equipment," "spreadsheet," or "software packages." You may specify by name rather than category.

18. Web Sites/Resources

List web sites or other resources where information about the occupation can be found.

19. Explanation of Submittal

Optional: It may be helpful to indicate the reasons you are seeking this occupational code assignment.

20. Additional Information/Comments

List any additional information or comments that may help in assigning this job or occupation to an O*NET-SOC occupation. Additional information may include items, such as on-the-job training schedules or curriculum for relevant training programs. If this request is part of registering an apprenticeship program, please attach Work Process Schedule, if available.

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