2022 NAICS national industry in sector 54 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
NAICS 541715 is the US industry code for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology). This U.S.
- Code
- 541715 (2022 NAICS)
- Title
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Part of
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- SBA small business limit
- Up to 1,000 employees (plus 3 exceptions, below)
- Closest UK SIC
- 72110, 72190 (details)
Changes coming. The NAICS 2027 revision applies to data from 1 January 2027, and SBA proposed new size standards on 20 August 2026. The values on this page are the ones in force today; we update this page when the official files change.
Official definition
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.
When to use a different code
Census classifies these close-sounding activities somewhere else. Businesses mainly engaged in:
- Conducting research and experimental development in nanotechnology are classified in U.S. Industry 541713, Research and Development in Nanotechnology.
- Conducting research and experimental development in biotechnology (except nanobiotechnology) are classified in U.S. Industry 541714, Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology).
- Providing physical, chemical, or other analytical testing services (except medical or veterinary), such as acoustics or vibration testing, calibration testing, electrical and electronic testing, geotechnical testing, mechanical testing, nondestructive testing, or thermal testing are classified in Industry 541380, Testing Laboratories and Services.
- Creating and developing industrial designs and specifications that optimize the use, value, and appearance of automobiles, furniture, and other products are classified in Industry 541420, Industrial Design Services.
- Providing veterinary testing services are classified in Industry 541940, Veterinary Services.
- Providing medical laboratory testing for humans are classified in U.S. Industry 621511, Medical Laboratories.
- Raising funds for health related research are classified in U.S. Industry 813212, Voluntary Health Organizations.
- Laboratory animal production (e.g., guinea pigs, mice, rats) are classified in Industry 112990, All Other Animal Production.
Activities listed under 541715
The Census index assigns these 33 activities to this code. If your business matches one, this is your code.
- Aerospace research and development (except prototype production)
- Agriculture research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Artificial intelligence research and development laboratories or services
- Bacteriological research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Biology research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Botany research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Chemical research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Computer and related hardware research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Dental research and development laboratories or services
- Electronic research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Engineering research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Entomological research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Environmental research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Experimental farms
- Fisheries research and development laboratories or services
- Food research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Forestry research and development laboratories or services
- Genetics research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Geological research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Guided missile and space vehicle engine research and development
- Guided missile and space vehicle parts (except engines) research and development
- Health research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Industrial research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Life sciences research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Mathematics research and development laboratories or services
- Medical research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Observatories, research institutions
- Oceanographic research and development laboratories or services
- Photonics research and development services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Physical science research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Physics research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Robotics research and development laboratories or services
- Veterinary research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
SBA size standard for 541715
To count as a small business for SBA loans and federal contracts under NAICS 541715, your business (including affiliates) must not exceed 1,000 employees. Check your business.
| Activity | Size standard |
|---|---|
| Aircraft, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts | 1,500 employees |
| Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment | 1,250 employees |
| Guided Missiles and Space Vehicles, Their Propulsion Units and Propulsion Parts | 1,300 employees |
SBA footnote 11: NAICS Codes 541713, 541714 and 541715
Source: SBA table of size standards, effective March 17, 2023.
Closest UK SIC 2007 codes
There is no official one-to-one link between NAICS and UK SIC. These codes share the same international class (ISIC Rev. 4: 7210), so treat them as a starting point and check the definition.
- 72110Research and experimental development on biotechnologyUK SIC
- 72190Other research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineeringUK SIC
Built from Census concordances 2022→2017 NAICS and 2017 NAICS→ISIC Rev. 4.
Similar codes to compare
Data last changed November 14, 2026. How this page is built.