United States. The NCB codes currently assigned to each NATO aligned country are found in the  Afloat Supply Procedures, NAVSUP P-485. Navy Item Control Numbers Items of material not included in the federal catalog system but stocked or monitored in the Navy supply system are identified by Navy item control numbers  (NICNs).  NICNs  are  13-character  item identification  numbers  used  for  permanent  or temporary control of selected non-NSN items. An NICN consists of four numerals in the first four positions. The next two positions consist of an alpha code (NICN code) that identifies the type of NICN. Finally  there  are  seven  digits  or  alphanumeric characters that, in conjunction with the NICN code, uniquely identify each NICN item in the Navy supply system. Some examples of NICNs and their codes are as follows. Other NICNs may be found in NAVSUP P-485. Local Item Control Numbers Local item control numbers (formerly called local stock numbers) may be assigned by local supply activities for consumable items not identified by an NSN, a NATO stock number, or an NICN. A local item number also consists of 13 characters. The first four characters are numerals that correspond to the FSC of similar NSN items, the fifth and sixth (NCB code area) are LL, and the remaining seven are all numerals. For example: Locally  assigned  item  control  numbers  are authorized for local use only (that is, for shipboard stock  records,  locator  records,  bin  tags,  issue documents, etc.). The numbers are not to be used in requisitions because they would be meaningless within the supply system. COGNIZANCE SYMBOLS A cognizance (cog) symbol is a two-character, alphanumeric code (for example, 1H, 2T, 6T, and 9Z). This symbol identifies and designates the cognizant inventory manager who exercises supply management over specific categories of material. Although not part of the stock number, the cognizance symbol may be prefixed  to  the  stock  number  in  some  supply publications and allowance listings (for example, 2T 1350-00-123-4567). However, the cognizance symbol is  not  prefixed  to  the  stock  number  on  supply documents, forms, or records. The first numeric character of the cognizance symbol denotes the stores account of the item. Briefly, the numerical characters indicate the following: 1, 3, 5, 7 Material is held in the Navy stock account (NSA).  When  this  material  is  issued,  it must be paid for by the requisitioner. 9 Material  purchased  by  the  defense  stock fund and held in the NSA account. When this material is issued, it must be paid for by the requisitioner. 7-3 NICN NICN CODE APPLICATION 0108-LF-504-2201 LF Cog I stock number for forms 1234-LK-YA1-2345 LK Aircraft change kit numbers 0530-LP-485-0000 LP Cogs OI and OP stock numbers for publications Q1. How many digits in the NSN designate the FSC? 1. 2 2. 4 3. 9 4. 13 Q2. What is the most common number used to identify material? 1. Navy item control number 2. Local item control number 3. National stock number 4. NATO stock number REVIEW QUESTIONS