How Do You Read an SIC Code? (What do the two, three, and four Digit Codes Mean?)

The first two digits of the code identify the major industry group, the third digit identifies the industry group and the fourth digit identifies the industry. Example Division 20-39 Manufacturing Major Industry Group 25 Furniture and Fixtures Industry Group 252 Office Furniture Industry 2521 Wood Office Furniture Note: The digit “9” is used in the third …

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What is an SIC & How is it Used?

The Standard Industrial Classification SIC is a system for classifying industries by the type of activity in which they are primarily engaged with a four-digit code. It is used by government agencies, as well as some in other countries, e.g., by the United Kingdom’s Companies House. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) was originally developed in …

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How Can I Purchase a Copy of the NAICS Manual?

We have both hard copy and electronic manuals available: The NAICS Manual is the official hard copy reference containing all the NAICS codes, descriptions, and cross-references. It is the easy “desk-reference” for everything NAICS. You can also find downloadable reference files here.

What is Title 13?

Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9 (a) prohibits the U.S. Census Bureau from disclosing individual company activities including NAICS and SIC codes. The Census Bureau is bound by Title 13 of the United States Code. These laws not only provide authority for the work the census does, but also provides strong protection for the information …

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Can a Business Have More than One NAICS Code?

The U.S. Census Bureau assigns and maintains only one NAICS code for each establishment based on its primary activity (generally the activity that generates the most revenue for the establishment). Since other federal government agencies, trade associations, and regulation boards maintain their own lists of business establishments and assign classification codes based on their own …

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Do NAICS Codes Change Over Time?

NAICS will be reviewed every five years (in the years ending in ‘2’ or ‘7’) for potential revisions so that the classification system can keep pace with the changing economy. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), through its Economic Classification Policy Committee (ECPC), will solicit public comments through a notice published in the Federal …

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I Have Seen NAICS Codes with More than 6 Digits. What are These?

Industries in the United States are identified by a six-digit code. Each manufacturing and mining product or service is identified by a ten-digit product code. The product coding structure represents an extension, by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, of the six-digit industry classification of the manufacturing and mining sectors. The product classification system operates …

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Why are Some NAICS Codes Only 5-digits long?

NAICS is a two-through-six-digit hierarchical classification code system, offering five levels of detail. Each digit in the code is part of a series of progressively narrower categories, and the more digits in the code signify greater classification detail. The first two digits designate the economic sector, the third digit designates the subsector, the fourth digit …

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