An NPI (National Provider Identifier) is a free, permanent 10-digit ID that the federal government (CMS) gives to US healthcare providers and organizations. It identifies who treated you or prescribed for you on claims and forms. The public NPI Registry shows a provider’s name, specialty, practice address, phone and whether the number is active. It does not prove they’re licensed or tell you anything about quality. Look anyone up free with our NPI lookup.
What an NPI Is
Before NPIs, each insurer gave providers its own ID number, so the same doctor might have dozens. Under HIPAA, the government created one national number for every provider who bills health insurance electronically. CMS issues it through the NPPES system, free, and anyone can search it.
You’ll see NPIs on prescription labels and e-prescriptions, referral and prior authorization forms, explanation of benefits letters from your insurer, durable medical equipment orders, and home health or hospice paperwork.
What the Registry Shows
| Field | What it means | In the registry? |
|---|---|---|
| Name and credential | As the provider reported it, for example “Jane Doe, LPC”. | Yes |
| Specialty (taxonomy) | What kind of provider they are, such as Counselor or Family Medicine. | Yes |
| Practice address and phone | Reported by the provider; may be out of date. | Yes |
| Status and dates | Active or deactivated, and when the NPI was issued and last updated. | Yes |
| License number and state | Often listed, but not verified by the registry. | Sometimes |
| Discipline, malpractice, reviews | Not in the registry. Check the state board. | No |
| Insurance networks accepted | Not in the registry. Ask your plan or the office. | No |
What It Doesn’t Show
The registry is a directory, not a background check. CMS doesn’t verify that a listed license is active, and the registry has no discipline history, malpractice information, patient reviews or insurance networks. Use it to confirm who someone is and how to reach them; then check the license with the state board (see how to check a license) and quality on Medicare Care Compare.
Why Forms Ask for It
Insurers, pharmacies and equipment suppliers need to know exactly which provider ordered or delivered care, so claims carry the NPI. If a form asks you for your doctor’s NPI, it’s usually because a claim or prescription is missing it. Find it in a minute by name and state, then give it to whoever asked.
How to Look Up a Provider
- Search by last name and state. Add a first name or city if there are many results. Organizations search by business name.
- Match the specialty and city. Two providers can share a name; the specialty and location separate them.
- Open the record. Check status, practice address and phone, and the date it was last updated.
- Check Medicare and exclusions if it matters. Our provider pages show Medicare enrollment, ordering and referring, and opt-out, plus a free exclusion check.
You can also browse by state and specialty in our directory, for example counselors in Oregon, pharmacists in New York or nurse practitioners in Texas.
Individuals vs Organizations
There are two kinds of NPI. Type 1 belongs to a person, such as a doctor, nurse practitioner or therapist. Type 2 belongs to an organization, such as a clinic, hospital, pharmacy or home health agency. A visit is often billed with both: the clinician’s Type 1 NPI and the practice’s Type 2 NPI.
Active vs Deactivated
An active NPI is in use. A deactivated NPI usually means the provider retired, died, closed the business or asked for it to be deactivated. It can also be reactivated later. If your provider’s NPI shows as deactivated, ask the office which NPI they bill under now.
Is Sharing an NPI Safe?
A provider’s NPI is public, so sharing it isn’t a privacy risk. Your own identifiers are different: keep your Medicare number, Social Security number and insurance member ID private, and don’t give them to callers offering free equipment or tests. Report suspected scams to 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Questions
Is an NPI the same as a license number?
No. The NPI is a federal ID issued by CMS. A license is issued by a state board and is what allows someone to practice. Check licenses with the state board; our license lookup links to every state’s boards.
Do I have an NPI as a patient?
No. NPIs are for healthcare providers and organizations. Your Medicare card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier, which you should keep private.
Can an NPI number change?
No. An NPI stays with the provider for life, even if they move states, change specialty or change employers. Only the details on the record change.
Why does my pharmacy or insurer ask for my doctor’s NPI?
Claims and prescriptions use the NPI to identify the prescribing or treating provider. If a form asks for it, you can look it up in a minute on the NPI Registry or our NPI lookup.
Does having an NPI mean a provider accepts Medicare?
No. Medicare enrollment is separate. On our provider pages you can see whether a provider is enrolled in Medicare, can order and refer, or has opted out.
Is the information on the NPI Registry public?
Yes. CMS publishes it so patients, insurers and other providers can identify who is billing. It contains professional details only, not home addresses unless a provider used one as a practice location.
Sources
- CMS NPPES NPI Registry (public search) — what the public NPI record shows
- CMS NPPES: apply for or update an NPI — how providers get and update an NPI
- Medicare Care Compare — finding Medicare clinicians and facilities
- HHS-OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities — federal exclusions
- HHS-OIG: Report fraud (1-800-HHS-TIPS) — reporting suspected fraud
- 45 CFR 162.410: provider requirements for the NPI — the 30-day rule for updating an NPI record
This guide is general information as of October 31, 2026, not medical, legal or billing advice. Registry data is reported by providers and can be out of date; confirm anything important with the provider, your insurer or the state board.