Federal Statistical RDC

Accessing data through an FSRDC

The U.S. Census Bureau manages the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDC). There are more than 30 FSRDC sites located throughout the United States.

If you access National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data through an FSRDC site, you will interact with both your assigned NCHS RDC analyst and the location's FSRDC administrator over the course of your project. Each of these people have their own roles and responsibilities.

NCHS RDC analysts

• Facilitate review of your proposal
• Create your analytic dataset
• Accept NCHS payment
• Receive your NCHS Confidentiality Training completion certificates
• Transfer your dataset to the Census Bureau
• Conduct a disclosure review of your output
• Answer general questions about the process and your specific project

Census RDC administrators

• Answer FSRDC logistical questions about topics like—
  • Special Sworn Status (SSS)
  • Access and entry into the FSRDC
  • Statistical software availability
  • Census fees
• Ensure you have completed all the Census Bureau Security requirements related to SSS
• Accept Census payments
• Transfer your output to NCHS for a disclosure review

Before submitting an application

You must contact the FSRDC administrator to confirm your eligibility to access the FSRDC location, including—

• Special Sworn Status requirements
• University or agency affiliation

You should discuss access requirements with your FSRDC administrator before submitting your application to NCHS. NCHS and FSRDC are not responsible for project delays or lost fees if you are unable to access an FSRDC.

FSRDC administrators may help you develop your applications, but they do not accept application submissions.

For projects using NCHS or SAMHSA restricted-use data, applications must be submitted through the Standard Application Process (SAP) portal.

For projects using NCHS partner data, applications must be submitted to rdca@cdc.gov.

Visiting an FSRDC location

After your RDC analyst notifies you by email that your application is approved, you must complete these steps.

Step 1: Complete access requirements

• Obtain Special Sworn Status
  • The current fee for a Special Sworn Status application is $1800
  • This fee is non-refundable and is payable to the NCHS RDC
  • Send all questions about the status of your application to the FSRDC location's administrator
• Complete any other Census Bureau access requirements

Step 2: Inform your RDC analyst about SSS approval

• It is important to keep your RDC analyst aware of where you are in the SSS application process
• Once you receive SSS approval and confirmation that Census has created your account, inform your RDC analyst

Step 3: Complete all NCHS RDC requirements

• Complete any NCHS requirements outlined by your RDC analyst
• Send your public-use and non-NCHS data to your RDC analyst.

Step 4: Schedule your visit

• Contact the location's FSRDC administrator to schedule your time in the facility

Step 5: Send documentation to your analyst

• Email your statistical programming code and reference documentation—including codebooks or statistical reference materials—to your RDC analyst
  • You must provide these files at least seven business days before your visit
• Your RDC analyst will review these materials before they can be placed into your Census account

Rules

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

Do not bring hardcopies or books into the FSRDC.

Do not ask your FSRDC administrator to review handouts, notes, or output.