Getting an NPI is free and done through the CMS NPPES system: create an account, complete the application with your details and a taxonomy code, and submit. It does not expire. Your record then joins the roughly 8.9M public NPI records anyone can look up.
What you need first
Before you start the application, gather a few things so you can finish in one sitting:
- Your Social Security Number (for a Type 1 individual NPI) or Employer Identification Number (for a Type 2 organizational NPI).
- Your practice or business name and mailing address.
- Your provider taxonomy code — the NUCC classification for your provider type and specialty.
- An email address to create your NPPES account.
The steps to apply
- 1. Create an NPPES account. Register for an identity account that gives you access to the NPPES application portal run by CMS.
- 2. Choose Type 1 or Type 2. Apply as an individual (Type 1) or an organization (Type 2). If you are a clinician who owns a separately organized eligible business, the person and organization may have separate enumeration records.
- 3. Complete the application. Enter your identity details, practice address, contact information, and your taxonomy code.
- 4. Submit and receive your NPI. Most online applications are processed within a few business days, and the NPI is issued directly to you.
This is general reference information about a public CMS process, not legal or compliance advice. Always follow the current instructions in NPPES itself.
Type 1 vs. Type 2
For an eligible individual healthcare provider. An enumerated person is eligible for one Type 1 NPI, which remains assigned across jobs and locations.
For an eligible organization or subpart, such as a group practice, hospital, agency, or supplier. An organization may have multiple Type 2 NPIs.
After you get your NPI
The NPI is an administrative identifier, not billing authorization or proof of licensure. To bill Medicare you enroll separately in PECOS; to join a commercial network you credential with each payer. Your NPI and its public fields are added to the NPPES registry the moment it is issued, which is how patients, payers, and data platforms can look you up. Keep your NPPES record current — an out-of-date address or taxonomy is a common reason claims and lookups go wrong.
The NPI system by the numbers
Look up an existing NPI
Already have a number, or checking someone else’s? Search the NPPES registry by name or number and see the public fields.
NPI lookup →Frequently asked questions
- How do I get an NPI number?
- You apply through the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES), the CMS system that issues NPIs. Create an account, complete the application with your identity and practice details and a taxonomy code, and submit. Most online applications are processed quickly, and the NPI is issued to you directly.
- Is getting an NPI free?
- Yes. There is no charge to apply through NPPES or hold an NPI. An enumerated individual's Type 1 NPI remains assigned to that person, although NPPES can record deactivation and reactivation. The identifier is administrative and does not establish licensure, credentialing, or payer enrollment.
- Do I need an NPI before I can bill Medicare?
- Yes. The NPI comes first; it is the identity layer. To actually bill Medicare you then enroll separately in PECOS, which records 2.98M Medicare enrollments. The NPI identifies you; PECOS enrollment authorizes Medicare billing.
- What is the difference between a Type 1 and Type 2 NPI?
- A Type 1 NPI is assigned to an eligible individual; an enumerated individual is eligible for one. A Type 2 NPI is assigned to an eligible organization or subpart, which may receive more than one. If an individual owns a separately organized eligible business, the Type 2 belongs to that organization, not the person.
- How long does it take to get an NPI?
- An online NPPES application with complete information is often processed within a few business days; paper applications take longer. Once issued, the NPI and its basic public fields appear in the NPPES registry, where anyone can look them up.
- Where does my NPI information go after I get one?
- The NPI and available submitted fields — such as name, practice address, taxonomy, and credential text — are added to the public NPPES registry, which holds roughly 8.9M records. Those administrative fields can be looked up, but they do not establish that a license or credential is current.
Related
- What is an NPI number? — the identifier, Type 1 vs Type 2, and the 10-digit structure.
- NPI vs. provider ID, PTAN, and Tax ID — how the NPI relates to the other numbers you will be asked for.
- What is a provider taxonomy code? — the classification you choose during the application.
- What is PECOS? Medicare enrollment — the separate step to bill Medicare after you have an NPI.
- NPPES provider data — the registry your record joins, with API and bulk download.
- NPI lookup tool — search the NPPES registry by name or number.