Federal Statistical RDC

The Federal Statistical Research Data Center (FSRDC) are managed by the United States Census Bureau. The Census Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics NCHS have agreed to make most NCHS restricted-use data available to researchers through the FSRDC network.

The Census Bureau manages several RDC sites throughout the United States:

Locations and contact information

If you access the data at a FSRDC, you will interact with your assigned NCHS RDC Analyst and the FSRDC Administrator. The NCHS RDC Analyst and FSRDC Administrators have different roles and responsibilities related to your project.

NCHS RDC Analyst

Facilitates review of your application
Creates your analytic dataset
Providesw an invoice for NCHS fee payment
Receives your NCHS Confidentiality training completion certificates
Transfers your dataset to Census
Conducts a disclosure review of your output
Answers general questions about process and your project

Census RDC Administrators

Answers logistical questions about the FSRDC such as, Special Sworn Status (SSS), access/entry into the FSRDC, statistical software availability and Census Fees
Ensures you have completed all the Census Bureau Security requirements related to SSS
Accepts Census payments
Transfers your output to NCHS for a disclosure review

Before Submitting an Application

You must contact the FSRDC Administrator to confirm your eligibility to access your FSRDC of choice, including Special Sworn Status (SSS) requirements and university or agency affiliation. Please ensure that you have discussed access requirements with a FSRDC Administrator before submitting your application. NCHS and FSRDC are not responsible for project delays or lost fees due to inability to access a FSRDC.

FSRDC Administrators will not assist you with the development of your application nor will they accept application submissions.

For projects using NCHS or SAMHSA restricted-use data, applications must be submitted through the Standard Application Process (SAP) portal at: https://www.researchdatagov.org/

For projects using NCHS partner data (e.g., CDC), applications must be submitted to rdca@cdc.gov.

Before Your Visit to a FSRDC

The following steps should occur after you receive your application approval email from your RDC Analyst:

1. Complete Census Bureau access requirements including obtaining Special Sworn Status (SSS). The current fee for an SSS Application is $1800; this fee is non-refundable and is payable to the NCHS RDC. All questions regarding the status of your SSS Application should be sent to the FSRDC Administrator.
2. Inform your RDC Analyst once your SSS is approved and when Census has created your account. It is important to keep your RDC Analyst aware of where you are in the process.
3. When all NCHS and FSRDC requirements are completed, the RDC Analyst will transfer your dataset to Census.
4. Contact your FSRDC Administrator about FSRDC operating hours and access.
5. Email your statistical programming code and reference documentation (codebooks or statistical reference materials) to your RDC Analyst at least seven (7) days before your visit. These materials will be reviewed by your RDC Analysts before they can be placed into your Census account. You cannot bring reference material or books into the FSRDC. Do not ask your FSRDC administrator to review handouts, notes, or output.

Rules

While working at a FSRDC, you are subject to Census rules and NCHS rules and restrictions.

NCHS Onsite Rules

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