All purchasers and users of HCUP data must complete the HCUP Data Use Agreement (DUA) Training Course and sign an HCUP DUA before receipt of the data.

This Web-based training course outlines important terms of the DUA. The course will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. The purpose of the course is to:

• Emphasize the importance of data protection
• Reduce the risk of inadvertent violations
• Describe your individual responsibility when using HCUP data.

After completing the training course, you will receive an HCUP DUA Training Course certification code. Please retain this code for your records; it will be required to purchase or gain access to HCUP data. New users will not be required to take the course more than once.

To launch either the interactive version or the Section 508 compliant version of the HCUP DUA Training course, please click on one of the links below.

• Launch Interactive HCUP Training Course
  To have the best user experience for this tutorial, we recommend you use the most recent version of your specific browser.


• View Accessible HCUP DUA Training Course (Text Only)
  As an alternative, you may view a Section 508 compliant text-only version of the course.

If you are having difficulty, please contact hcup@ahrq.gov for assistance or call HCUP User Support at 1-866-290-HCUP.

HCUP Data Use Agreements:

• Data Use Agreement for the Nationwide Databases (PDF file, 85 KB; HTML)
• Data Use Agreement for the State Databases (PDF file, 87 KB; HTML)

Responsibilities of the HCUP Data Purchaser:

As an HCUP database purchaser your responsibilities extend beyond those of a data user. You will be required to acknowledge these terms as part of the application process.

• Responsibilities of the Data Purchaser (PDF file, 33 KB; HTML)

Intended Use of HCUP State Databases:

All requests for State Databases require a "Statement of Intended Use". Please consider preparing this narrative before initiating your order. A guide is provided below. If you do not provide all of the information required, the processing of your request will be delayed as the AHRQ reviewers seek additional clarification.

Each application for and approval of HCUP data is project-specific. If you have previously purchased HCUP State data and wish to use the data for a purpose other than that originally approved, or as concrete projects emerge from approved exploratory work, you must submit a "Data Re-Use Request" through the online HCUP Central Distributor for review and approval by AHRQ before work may begin on the new project. You must be the current custodian of the HCUP data to submit a re-use request.

• Guide for Preparing the Statement of Intended Use for State Databases (PDF file, 143 KB; HTML)

Additional Requirements from the State of California:

All researchers requesting the HCUP CA SID, SASD, and SEDD data year 2018 and later through the HCUP Central Distributor must certify and agree to additional terms in order to receive CA data. You will be required to acknowledge these terms as part of the application process.

• Additional Requirements from the State of California (PDF file, 167 KB; HTML)