CBO Format Validator

CBO code format: the 6-digit Brazilian occupation code NNNN-NN

The CBO (Classificação Brasileira de Ocupações) is the Ministry of Labour's catalogue of job roles in Brazil — the equivalent of an occupation taxonomy. A CBO code has 6 digits, written NNNN-NN: a four-digit família ocupacional plus a two-digit occupation, e.g. 2521-05 (database administrator). This tool checks that NNNN-NN format.

The current edition is CBO 2002, derived from the international ISCO standard. The code is what links a worker to a standardised role across payroll, labour reporting and social-security systems — it is required on the carteira de trabalho, in eSocial, RAIS and CAGED filings.

Structure of 2521-05

• Família ocupacional (2521): the four-digit family grouping related jobs.
• Occupation (05): the two-digit specific role within the family.
• No check digit: the CBO has no checksum — validity is the format plus existence in the official table.

Where it matters

• eSocial & payroll: every hire is reported with a CBO; a wrong code can misfile labour data.
• Carteira de trabalho: the employment record cites the CBO for the role.
• Labour statistics: RAIS/CAGED aggregate the workforce by CBO.
• Mock data / testing: validating the NNNN-NN mask before an MTE lookup.

Common pitfalls

• Hyphen is cosmetic: 252105 and 2521-05 are the same; normalise before comparing.
• CBO ≠ CNAE: CBO classifies the person's role, CNAE classifies the company's activity — different catalogues.
• Format ≠ exists: six digits pass the regex; only the MTE table confirms a real occupation.
• Role drives benefits: some CBOs imply periculosidade/insalubridade or specific union framing.

FAQ

Does the CBO have a check digit? No — unlike CPF or CNAE's class digit, the CBO is validated by format and lookup only.

Is CBO the same as CNAE? No. CBO = occupation (the worker); CNAE = economic activity (the business).

Where is the CBO required? On the carteira de trabalho and in eSocial, RAIS and CAGED reporting.