NPI lookup
Find a provider's National Provider Identifier (NPI), or check whose an NPI is. Search by name, NPI number, state and specialty.
Results come live from CMS's NPI Registry, the public record NPPES updates every day: the provider's name and credential, their taxonomy and license, and their practice address and phone.
Search the NPI Registry
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What an NPI is
The National Provider Identifier is the 10-digit number that identifies a provider on every electronic claim in the United States. CMS's National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) issues it, free, and it stays the same when a provider moves or changes specialty.
There are two kinds. A Type 1 NPI (NPI-1) belongs to one person: a physician, therapist, counselor, chiropractor or dietitian. A Type 2 NPI (NPI-2) belongs to an organization: a group practice, a clinic or an incorporated solo practice. A solo practitioner who bills as a corporation can have both.
Where the NPI goes on a superbill and a claim
A superbill carries the rendering provider's NPI, and the practice's Type 2 NPI when the practice has one. Insurers use it, with the tax ID, to know who saw the client.
On the CMS-1500 claim form the NPI goes in box 24J for the rendering provider, box 32a for the service facility, box 33a for the billing provider and box 17b for a referring provider.
What the taxonomy is
Each provider lists one or more taxonomy codes, from the Health Care Provider Taxonomy code set, that say what kind of provider they are, such as 103TC0700X for a clinical psychologist. One is marked primary. Some payers want the taxonomy code on the claim next to the NPI.
Questions about NPI lookups
How do I find a provider's NPI number?
Search by the provider's last name, with a first name or a state to narrow it. For a group practice or clinic, switch to Organization and search by its name. The NPI is the 10-digit number on each result.
Where does this NPI lookup get its data?
From CMS's NPI Registry API, live. NPPES updates the registry daily, so a change a provider made in NPPES shows here within a day or so.
Does an NPI mean the provider is licensed?
No. CMS says issuing an NPI doesn't ensure or validate that a provider is licensed or credentialed. The license numbers shown are what the provider entered in NPPES; check a license with the state board that issued it.
Why can't I search by state alone?
The NPI Registry needs at least one other field with a state: a name, an NPI number or a specialty.
How do I update my own NPI record?
Sign in to NPPES with your Identity & Access (I&A) account and edit your record there. Providers must report changes within 30 days.
Is the NPI lookup free?
Yes, with no account. The NPI Registry is public data published by CMS.