Frequently Asked Questions

NPIPublicData.org is a free NPI lookup tool. You can search public CMS NPPES data by NPI number, provider name, organization, or advanced filters. We're an independent site, not a government agency. For who we are and why we built this, see About Us.

Yes, lookups are free. You don't need to create an account or subscribe. Open NPI Lookup, run a search, and view results.

No. We're not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or any government agency. We only use public NPPES data to help you search. For official verification, use the NPPES NPI Registry.

Each search pulls the latest public information from the national NPI directory maintained by CMS. We don't host our own copy of the full directory for these lookups, and we don't change what providers have on file.

The official NPI Registry is maintained by CMS and it's the source of truth for NPI records. Our site is another way to search the same public information, with a different layout and features (tabs, filters, and this FAQ). For billing disputes, payer enrollment, or legal proof, rely on the official registry.

NPPES is the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System. CMS runs it so providers can get an NPI and keep their records updated. The NPI Registry is the public lookup side; applying and updating happens through NPPES.

The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique 10-digit ID for healthcare providers and organizations in the United States. It was created under HIPAA so health plans and others can use one standard identifier in electronic transactions.

Type 1 (NPI-1) is for individual providers (for example, a physician or nurse practitioner). One person generally has one NPI for life. Type 2 (NPI-2) is for organizations (for example, a hospital or group practice). An organization may have more than one NPI when the rules allow separate legal entities or subparts.

It depends how you bill and how CMS classifies your situation. Some sole proprietors use only a Type 1; in other cases CMS allows or requires a Type 2 as well. Don't guess for enrollment or billing, check current rules on NPPES or ask your payer.

On NPI Lookup, open the NPI number tab, enter all 10 digits, and run the search. You'll see name, type, taxonomy, addresses, and activation status when NPPES has a match.

Use the name search tab. Enter at least two characters in the first name field (and last name if the form asks for it). Add a state when you get lots of matches. Spelling can be partial; search isn't case sensitive.

Use the organization tab. Enter at least two characters of the legal or practice name. Adding a state can narrow big result sets. Results depend on how the organization is listed in NPPES.

NPPES accepts a country by itself (for example Afghanistan only), or you can use at least one of: city, ZIP or postal code, or taxonomy (specialty). State alone is not enough—you need country, city, ZIP, or taxonomy with it. That matches how the public NPI Registry search behaves.

Each search can show up to 20 matching records. If you need more matches, add filters (state, city, ZIP, specialty) or search again with a narrower name.

Check for typos, try another spelling, or search by 10-digit NPI if you have it. Very new NPIs can take a short time to show up in NPPES. Confirm the record on the official NPI Registry. For advanced search, include at least one of country, city, ZIP, or taxonomy (state alone is not enough).

A deactivated NPI isn't active for standard transactions anymore. Providers may deactivate when they retire, leave practice, or no longer need the number. Don't use a deactivated NPI for billing or credentialing. Status comes straight from NPPES.

Sometimes, yes. CMS may allow reactivation through NPPES when the rules fit your case. It isn't automatic. Use NPPES and CMS guidance for the current process.

Taxonomy codes describe a provider's classification or specialty (for example, family medicine or internal medicine). They come from the Healthcare Provider Taxonomy used with NPPES. Advanced search can filter by taxonomy when that option is available.

Search your 10-digit NPI using the NPI number tab on NPI Lookup (same steps as in the answer above about lookup by number). Read the status shown. Before claims or enrollment, double-check on the NPI Registry.

CMS publishes certain provider and organization fields so the industry can verify NPIs for standard transactions. What appears follows federal rules; we don't decide what NPPES shows. To change what's listed, authorized users update records through NPPES. For how our site uses your visit data, follow the Privacy Policy link in the answer about selling information to advertisers.

CMS doesn't charge a fee to obtain or keep an NPI. Applying through NPPES is free.

An NPI doesn't expire on a set schedule like some licenses. It stays with an individual or organization until CMS deactivates it or the provider asks for deactivation through NPPES.

Online NPPES applications are often processed within about 10 business days; paper filings can take longer. Timelines can change, so check current CMS and NPPES guidance for the latest estimates.

You may apply if you're or will be a healthcare provider who needs an NPI for covered transactions. You don't always need a job offer at the moment you apply. Details and eligibility are on NPPES.

Applications and most updates go through CMS NPPES at nppes.cms.hhs.gov. CMS publishes step-by-step materials, including how to apply for an NPI online. We can't submit or change NPPES data for you.

We don't sell your personal information. Search traffic may be processed for analytics as described in our Privacy Policy. That policy covers logging, cookies, and related topics.

If advertisements appear on the site, they are served by third-party networks as described in our Privacy Policy. We don't pick individual ads by hand. When you click an ad, you leave our site; check the advertiser's own terms and privacy notice.

We can't edit NPPES records. If something's wrong, the provider or their authorized representative should update data in NPPES. If you think our site has a bug or is showing outdated information, use the Contact Us form or email [email protected] and include the NPI number and what you expected to see.

Developers can use our JSON API documentation for programmatic lookups and our Downloads page for bulk file options. We don't host the official monthly ZIPs ourselves—Downloads explains how to get full datasets.

No. Use our tool for general reference and convenience. For enrollment, HIPAA transactions, credentialing decisions, or disputes, confirm details on the official NPI Registry and follow your payer or counsel. Read our Disclaimer too.

No. An NPI is a national identifier for standard electronic healthcare transactions. State licenses, DEA registration, and payer IDs are separate. You might need all of them for different purposes.

For individuals, your NPI usually stays the same when you change employer or address. You should update your practice address and other details in NPPES so records stay accurate. Organizations follow different rules when structure or legal identity changes.

After a successful search, your browser may store the latest result locally so you can reopen the result view on our site. That data stays on your device. We don't use it to personalize ads. You can clear it in your browser settings. Logging, cookies, and advertising (when used) are covered in our Privacy Policy (see the answer about selling data above).

For questions about NPIPublicData.org or the search tool, use our Contact Us form or email [email protected]. For applying for an NPI, updating NPPES, or CMS policy, use NPPES and official CMS resources.