what is the national registration database 
the national registration database nrd is a canadian database that was launched in 2003 to replace the original paper form system it allows security dealers and investment advisors to file registration forms electronically understanding the national registration database nrd the nrd increases the efficiency of the filing and sharing of information between provincial security regulators examples of items that need to be filed include a change in the information of a member firm and the termination of an investment advisor an individual or company who trades or underwrites securities or provides investment advice must register annually with one or more provincial securities regulators the goal is to protect the investing public by ensuring that only qualified and reputable individuals and firms are licensed the nrd was initiated by the canadian securities administrators csa and the investment industry regulatory organization of canada iiroc the csa is composed of securities regulators from each province and territory on the csa website investors can search for a company or individual to check if they are registered before they invest the nrd has two websites the nrd information website which contains information for the public and the national registration database for use by authorized representatives 