Subject Database

Creating and maintaining a subject database makes querying and reporting faster by automatically pre-populating input forms with identifying information — no need to re-type data.

How to Get Started

Sign into the NPDB and follow the steps in How to Create and Maintain a Subject Database. Once you create your subject database, transferring your existing records into it is easy, provided that your records are maintained in either a file format that can be converted to American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) fixed-width text or the Extensible Markup Language (XML) file format.

Formats

The XML import format offers numerous advantages over the fixed-width input format in transferring your in-house records to the NPDB subject database.

XML and Fixed-Width Input Format Comparison of Features

Feature	XML Import Format	Fixed-Width Input Format
Add New Practitioners	Yes	Yes
Support Individual Practitioners	Yes	Yes
Support Organization Subjects	Yes	No
Update Existing Practitioners	Yes	No
Delete Existing Practitioners	Yes	No
Practitioner ID Support	Yes	No

Format Specifications

Both types of format specifications (XML and fixed-width) are available through the Sign In page for Software. Users must first set up an account and sign in with their Vendor ID. For more information, see About Software.