NICE syndication service and application programming interface (API) guide

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Introduction

July 2026: We updated this guide to reflect recent changes to the syndication service. For further details, see update information.

The NICE syndication service encourages commercial and non-commercial third parties from the UK and overseas to use the unique repository of national content and advice we produce in their own systems and services. This guide outlines the types of content available through syndication and shows you how to navigate the application programming interface (API) to identify, access and easily extract the content you require for your own applications, systems and platforms.

Our aim is to formalise and control the distribution of NICE content through a quality-assured service, limiting unauthorised use by openly providing content suitable for integration and presentation. All NICE content is periodically reviewed and updated, and you will automatically get updated content when using the service.

Caching the information is recommended, refreshing it as agreed with NICE. The usual timeframes for caching are:

  • immediately at the request of NICE, or

  • for page views by feed: no less than once every 24 hours, and

  • for all other information: no less than once every 7 days.

The licensed guidance content can be used for decision support tools, interactive tools, resource discovery services, websites, mobile apps, research, and more.

Our site is designed as a representational state transfer (REST) interface, for developers and content integrators to explore the services we have available and understand how to access and use the NICE API.

The syndication feed for our guidance is currently available in:

  • text/html

  • application/atom+xml

  • application/vnd.nice.syndication.services+json

  • application/vnd.nice.syndication.services+xml.

Please note that access to NICE syndicated content through the API will need someone with technical knowledge to interrogate the syndication feed and manage integration, including an ability to work with and consume .xml using a backend scripting technology. The section on using your API key to explore NICE's content offers technical advice on how to use the API. You can also view this information by clicking 'help' at the top of all content pages accessed through the API.

What NICE content is available for syndication?

Subject to a licence agreement with NICE, the syndication service currently grants access to current NICE guidance, including quality standards and information for the public (summaries written in plain language).

Links to all products available through syndication on the NICE website can be found in appendix A.

What NICE content is not available for syndication?

The syndication service does not contain withdrawn or previous versions of NICE guidance, nor does it contain any documents published in the course of developing guidance such as draft guidance or committee papers.

Box 1 Summary of NICE guidance available for syndication

  • antimicrobial prescribing guidelines

  • cancer service guidelines

  • clinical guidelines

  • COVID-19 rapid guidelines

  • HealthTech guidance

  • medicines practice guidelines

  • NICE guidelines

  • public health guidelines

  • safe staffing guidelines

  • social care guidelines

  • diagnostics guidance

  • health technology evaluation guidance

  • highly specialised technologies guidance

  • interventional procedures guidance

  • medical technologies guidance

  • technology appraisal guidance

  • quality standards

  • information for the public.

'NICE guidelines' refers to evidence-based recommendations for health and care in England, which are also applicable to Wales, and includes the other guideline categories listed in box 1, such as clinical, public health and social care guidelines. Updated guidelines that were originally published before 2015 are republished as part of this category under an NG number. If they are not substantially updated, they retain their original number and category (for example, CG or PH).

How to apply

Applications can be submitted at any time, and each application is considered on its own merits. To apply, please complete an application form, available on the NICE syndication API page. Applications are considered for approval on a weekly basis.