NAICS Code 541715 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

National Industry in the official 2022 North American Industry Classification System (U.S. Census Bureau). It is one of 3 national industries under 54171 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences).

Code	541715
Title	Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Level	National Industry (6-digit)
Edition	NAICS 2022 edition
SBA size standard	1,000 employees (SBA footnote 11)

Official definition (2022 NAICS)

This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and experimental development (except nanotechnology and biotechnology research and experimental development) in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, such as agriculture, electronics, environmental, biology, botany, computers, chemistry, food, fisheries, forests, geology, health, mathematics, medicine, oceanography, pharmacy, physics, veterinary, and other allied subjects.

Is a business under 541715 "small"?

Under the SBA size standards (13 CFR 121.201, effective March 17, 2023), a business classified in NAICS 541715 qualifies as a small business if it does not exceed 1,000 employees. Small-business status determines eligibility for federal set-aside contracts, SAM.gov certifications and SBA loan programs — employee count is averaged over the latest 24 months.

This industry is subject to SBA footnote 11, which may add exceptions or special measurement rules — check the official SBA size standards table for the full text.

Where 541715 sits in the hierarchy

Level	Code	Title
Sector	54	Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Subsector	541	Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Industry Group	5417	Scientific Research and Development Services
NAICS Industry	54171	Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
National Industry	541715	Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

No direct SIC mapping is shown for this code: it was introduced or redefined after the official 1987 SIC ↔ 2002 NAICS concordance. Use the crosswalk tool to explore related legacy codes.

Related National Industry codes

• 541713 — Research and Development in Nanotechnology
• 541714 — Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)

Data: official 2022 NAICS structure, descriptions and Census concordances, U.S. Census Bureau — U.S. government works in the public domain (17 U.S.C. §105). Suggested reference, not an official determination.