Question 1

Do I need a NAICS code?

Accepted Answer

You need a NAICS code if you plan to pursue federal contracts, apply for certain licenses, or complete many banking and lending forms. NAICS codes are not legal licenses, but agencies and partners use them to understand what your business actually does and whether it qualifies as a small business for specific programs.

When you register in SAM.gov or update your EIN records, you will be asked to identify your primary business activity using NAICS.

Question 2

How would I find my NAICS code?

Accepted Answer

Your NAICS code describes what your business actually sells, and it is required for SAM.gov registration, small business programs, and most federal opportunities.

Start by listing your primary products and services, then search those keywords in the official NAICS search tool from the U.S. Census Bureau. Next, compare a few candidate codes, reading the full industry descriptions to be sure they match your core work, not just what you hope to do.

Question 3

How do I find my NAIC number?

Accepted Answer

Many small businesses confuse "NAIC" with "NAICS," but lenders and insurers often use "NAIC number" to describe an insurance company identification code, while federal contracting uses a 6-digit NAICS industry classification.

For government contracting, focus on your NAICS code: identify your main line of business and use the Census Bureau's NAICS search to match the best-fitting industry description. You can also look up competitors and see which NAICS codes appear on recent federal awards in your niche.

Question 4

What do you mean by NAICS code?

Accepted Answer

A NAICS code is a 6-digit North American Industry Classification System identifier that describes your primary industry based on what you sell, not your business structure or tax status.

Federal agencies, prime contractors, and lenders use NAICS codes to group similar companies, apply SBA size standards, and decide which firms qualify as "small" for a specific opportunity. Every serious government contractor should maintain an accurate primary NAICS code plus additional codes that match other revenue-generating lines of business.

Question 5

Which NAICS codes are low risk?

Accepted Answer

"Low risk" NAICS codes usually means industries that do not trigger extra compliance, security, or facility clearance requirements, such as many professional services, training, marketing, or basic IT support.

Codes tied to controlled technologies, defense manufacturing, classified work, or highly regulated health and financial sectors often involve more scrutiny and onboarding friction. Instead of chasing mythical risk-free codes, focus on NAICS that truly match your capabilities and can be supported cleanly with documentation, past performance, and insurance.

Question 6

Where can I find a list of NAICS codes?

Accepted Answer

The official, most current list of NAICS codes is published by the U.S. Census Bureau and is freely accessible online. There you can browse all sectors, from 2-digit high-level groupings down to detailed 6-digit industries, and download reference tables if you want to keep them handy.

Commercial sites like NAICS.com offer searchable indexes and crosswalks from older SIC codes, but always confirm final choices against the official descriptions.

Question 7

How do I choose the right NAICS code?

Accepted Answer

Start by defining your primary revenue stream today, not what you hope to sell later, because SBA size standards and many set-asides are tied to that primary NAICS code.

Read several candidate code descriptions and choose the one that best describes the principal purpose of your work, then add secondary codes for other significant service lines. Check how federal agencies classify similar competitors and which codes appear on awards in your space.

Question 8

What are the 4 classifications of industry?

Accepted Answer

Economists commonly group industries into four broad classifications: primary (extracting raw materials), secondary (manufacturing), tertiary (services), and quaternary (knowledge and information services).

NAICS takes those high-level ideas and divides the economy into detailed sectors and 6-digit codes so agencies can track spending and apply small business rules precisely. For government contractors, most opportunities fall in tertiary and quaternary spaces such as professional services, IT, logistics, and research.

Question 9

Is the NAICS code the same as the EIN?

Accepted Answer

No, your NAICS code and EIN are completely different: the EIN is a tax identification number issued by the IRS, while NAICS is an industry classification describing what you sell.

Many federal and lending forms request both because they need to know who you are (EIN) and what you do (NAICS) to apply the correct rules and size standards. When you apply for an EIN, an initial NAICS classification may be recorded, but you can refine or expand your codes later in SAM.gov and other profiles as your business evolves.

NAICS Code FAQs

Do I need a NAICS code?

How would I find my NAICS code?

How do I find my NAIC number?

What do you mean by NAICS code?

Which NAICS codes are low risk?

Where can I find a list of NAICS codes?

How do I choose the right NAICS code?

What are the 4 classifications of industry?

Is the NAICS code the same as the EIN?

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