NPI Lookup
Free National Provider Identifier search. Find any US healthcare provider in the official NPPES registry by name, NPI number, or organization.
Related Lookup Tools
DEA License Lookup by NPI
Verify DEA registration information and prescribing authority using NPI.
Look up DEA →PECOS Medicare Enrollment
Check Medicare enrollment and PECOS status for any provider by NPI.
Check PECOS →PTAN Lookup by NPI
Find Provider Transaction Access Numbers for Medicare billing setup.
Find PTAN →Tax ID Lookup by NPI
Cross-reference EIN and tax identification with NPI records.
Look up Tax ID →CAQH Lookup by NPI
Guide to accessing CAQH ProView credentialing data using NPI numbers.
CAQH guide →Medicaid Provider Lookup
Verify Medicaid provider enrollment status across all US states.
Medicaid lookup →Welcome to the free NPI Lookup, the fastest way to search the official National Provider Identifier registry. Whether you are a patient checking a doctor, a medical biller confirming a claim, or a credentialing specialist verifying a provider, you get instant access to the same authoritative CMS data used across US healthcare.
Below you will find everything you need to know about NPI numbers, how to search them, and how the NPI connects to Medicare, DEA, taxonomy, and state licensing, all in plain English. Start a search above at any time, or read on to understand exactly what you are looking at.
What Is an NPI Number?
An NPI (National Provider Identifier) is a unique 10-digit identification number assigned to healthcare providers in the United States by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It was created under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and became the mandatory standard provider identifier for electronic healthcare transactions in 2007. If you have ever seen a doctor, filled a prescription, or received an insurance statement, an NPI number was working quietly in the background to identify each provider involved.
The NPI replaced a confusing patchwork of provider numbers that insurers and government programs each issued separately. Today, a single NPI follows a provider throughout their entire career, no matter how many times they change employers, move states, or update their name. Because it never changes and never expires, the NPI is the reliable anchor for medical billing, insurance claims, referrals, credentialing, and provider verification across the whole US healthcare system.
Who Receives an NPI?
Any healthcare provider covered by HIPAA is required to obtain an NPI. This includes individual practitioners, physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, psychologists, and more, as well as organizations such as hospitals, clinics, group practices, pharmacies, laboratories, and home health agencies. Providers apply for free through the NPPES system, and their disclosable record becomes publicly searchable within a few business days.
Type 1 vs Type 2 NPI
There are two categories of NPI record, and understanding the difference makes every NPI lookup clearer:
| Feature | Type 1 NPI (Individual) | Type 2 NPI (Organization) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Individual providers (people) | Organizations & groups (entities) |
| Examples | Physician, nurse, dentist, pharmacist, therapist | Hospital, clinic, pharmacy, lab, group practice |
| How many | Exactly one per person, for life | One or more per organization (by location/tax ID) |
| On claims | Usually the rendering provider | Usually the billing provider |
Both types live in the same federal database, the NPPES (National Plan and Provider Enumeration System) Registry, which CMS maintains and updates daily. When you run an NPI lookup on this site, you are searching that exact registry live through the official CMS API, so the information you see is the same authoritative data used by insurers, hospitals, and billing systems nationwide.
How Our NPI Lookup Works
Our free NPI lookup tool is designed to answer one question fast: who is this provider, and is their information current? You can search five different ways, and each returns the provider's NPI number, specialty, practice address, phone number, and enrollment status directly from NPPES.
Search by Name
The most common method. Enter a provider's last name, adding a first name and state dramatically improves accuracy for common surnames. A physician NPI lookup, doctor NPI lookup, or nurse practitioner NPI lookup all start here. The tool supports partial matches, so you do not need the exact legal spelling to begin.
Search by NPI Number
If you already know the 10-digit NPI, enter it for an exact match. This confirms the provider's identity instantly and shows whether the NPI is active or deactivated, essential when verifying a number that appears on a claim or referral.
Search by Organization
Enter a hospital, clinic, pharmacy, or group practice name to find Type 2 organizational NPIs. This is how you run a hospital NPI lookup, pharmacy NPI lookup, or facility NPI lookup.
Search by Taxonomy (Specialty)
Every NPI carries a taxonomy code that describes the provider's specialty. You can filter results by specialty to find, for example, cardiologists, family physicians, or community pharmacies in a given area.
Search by State
Because providers are licensed state by state, a state-filtered search narrows results to one jurisdiction, an NPI lookup Texas, Florida NPI lookup, or NPI lookup California, for instance. Our dedicated state pages pre-apply this filter for you.
Search Healthcare Providers by Name
A name search is the fastest way to find a provider when you do not have their NPI number. Our tool searches the full NPPES name index and returns every matching provider with their complete public record. It works for every provider type in the registry, including:
- Physicians (MD/DO), run a doctor NPI lookup by last name and state to confirm specialty and practice location.
- Dentists, find a dentist's NPI, dental taxonomy, and office address.
- Nurse Practitioners & CRNAs, advanced practice nurses each hold their own individual NPI.
- Physical Therapists, a physical therapy NPI number lookup is common for rehab and outpatient billing.
- Pharmacists, individual pharmacists have Type 1 NPIs, separate from the pharmacy's Type 2 NPI.
- Hospitals, search the organization name to find a hospital's Type 2 NPI(s).
- Clinics & Group Practices, group NPI lookups return the billing entity used on claims.
- Laboratories, clinical and diagnostic labs are registered as organizational providers.
For the best results, combine a last name with a first initial and the practice state. If a provider does not appear, try the last name alone, verify the spelling, or search by a known NPI number instead. Every result links to a full provider profile page with the complete NPPES record.
Search by NPI Number
When you already have a 10-digit NPI, a number search gives you an exact, authoritative answer in seconds. There are several practical uses:
- Exact lookup, enter the NPI to pull the provider's full record and confirm their name, specialty, and address.
- Reverse lookup, start from a number on a claim, prescription, or referral and identify exactly which provider it belongs to.
- NPI verification, confirm that an NPI is valid, active, and matches the specialty you expect before submitting a claim.
- Organization lookup, verify a Type 2 NPI for a hospital, pharmacy, or group practice.
An NPI number is always exactly ten digits, and the final digit is a checksum that lets billing systems catch typos instantly. A valid format alone does not guarantee the number is assigned, only an NPPES lookup confirms it belongs to a real, active provider.
Official NPI Registry vs Our Search Tool
Both the official CMS NPPES Registry and this tool search the same underlying government data, the difference is the experience. CMS provides the authoritative source; we provide a faster, cleaner, more filterable way to use it.
| Feature | CMS NPPES Registry | Our NPI Lookup |
|---|---|---|
| Data source | Official CMS database | Same official CMS API (live) |
| Speed | Functional, dated interface | Fast, instant results |
| Design | Government form layout | Clean, modern, easy to scan |
| Filters | Basic | State pre-filtering & specialty focus |
| Mobile | Limited | Fully mobile friendly |
| Cross-tools | None | DEA, PECOS, PTAN, Tax ID, CAQH links |
| Cost | Free | Free |
For any official or legal verification, we always recommend confirming against the source at npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov. This tool is an independent interface built for speed and clarity, not a government service.
NPI Lookup by State
Healthcare providers must be licensed in the state where they practice, which is why state-specific NPI lookups are so popular. Each of our state pages pre-filters the NPPES search to that jurisdiction and links directly to the relevant state medical board for license verification. Whether you need an NPI lookup Texas, a Florida NPI lookup, an NPI lookup California, or any other state, start here:
Search by Provider Type
The NPPES registry classifies every provider by type and specialty. Below are the most common provider categories people look up, each is searchable by name, organization, or specialty:
NPI Taxonomy Lookup
Every NPI record includes one or more taxonomy codes, 10-character alphanumeric codes from the NUCC Health Care Provider Taxonomy set that identify a provider's classification and specialization. The primary taxonomy is the specialty a provider uses most; secondary taxonomies capture additional practice areas. Taxonomy codes drive claim routing, network directories, and specialty-filtered searches. A few common examples:
| Taxonomy code | Specialty / classification |
|---|---|
207Q00000X | Family Medicine |
207R00000X | Internal Medicine |
208000000X | Pediatrics |
363L00000X | Nurse Practitioner |
363A00000X | Physician Assistant |
225100000X | Physical Therapist |
183500000X | Pharmacist |
282N00000X | General Acute Care Hospital |
You can perform a taxonomy code lookup by NPI to find a provider's specialty from their number, or search by taxonomy description to list every provider of a given type in a state or city.
PECOS & Medicare Lookup
For providers who bill Medicare, the NPI connects to a second system: PECOS (Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System). Enrolling in PECOS is what allows a provider to submit Medicare claims, and each enrolled provider is issued a PTAN (Provider Transaction Access Number) by their Medicare Administrative Contractor.
- PECOS, the Medicare enrollment record, linked to the provider's NPI.
- PTAN, a Medicare-specific provider number tied to the NPI and enrollment.
- Medicare enrollment, confirms a provider is approved to bill Medicare.
- Provider verification, the NPI is the key that links NPPES identity to PECOS status.
Start with an NPI lookup here to confirm the provider's identity, then use our PECOS NPI Lookup and PTAN Lookup by NPI tools for the Medicare enrollment layer.
DEA, License & Credential Verification
An NPI identifies a provider, but it does not by itself prove they are licensed or authorized to prescribe. Complete provider verification involves several separate credentials, each issued by a different authority:
- NPI, federal identity, issued by CMS. Confirms who the provider is.
- State medical license, authority to practice, issued by the state board. Verified separately.
- DEA registration, authority to prescribe controlled substances, issued by the DEA.
- Board certification, specialty qualification, issued by a certifying board.
- State licenses, a provider practicing in multiple states holds a license in each.
NPPES does not store DEA numbers, license status, or board certifications, so an NPI lookup is the first step, not the whole picture. Our DEA Lookup by NPI tool retrieves the NPPES identity as the starting point for DEA cross-verification. Always confirm active licensure with the appropriate state board and DEA registration with the DEA directly.
Common Reasons to Use an NPI Lookup
An NPI lookup serves many different needs across healthcare and administration:
- Patients, verify a provider's credentials, specialty, and practice details before an appointment.
- Medical billers, confirm the correct NPI before submitting claims to prevent rejections.
- Hospitals, validate provider identities during onboarding and credentialing.
- Insurance companies, verify network providers and process claims accurately.
- Researchers, analyze provider data across specialties and regions.
- Pharmacies, confirm prescriber identities and NPIs on prescriptions.
- Government agencies, support program integrity and provider enrollment.
- Healthcare software, integrate live provider verification via the NPPES API.
- Medical recruiters, confirm candidate identities and practice histories.
Who Uses This Tool?
Explore More NPI Resources
Dive deeper with our full library of lookup tools and guides:
- Guides: Complete NPI Lookup Guide · NPI Registry (NPPES) Guide · What Is an NPI Number?
- By state: Texas · California · Florida · New York · all states
- By specialty: Doctor / Physician · Pharmacy · Nurse / NP
- Cross-reference: DEA by NPI · PECOS · PTAN · Tax ID · CAQH · Medicaid
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an NPI number?
An NPI (National Provider Identifier) is a unique 10-digit federal identification number issued by CMS to all US healthcare providers. It is required under HIPAA for all electronic healthcare transactions including medical billing, insurance claims, and referrals. It replaced earlier provider identifier systems and is the universal standard for identifying healthcare providers in the United States.
Is NPI lookup free?
Yes, this tool is completely free. It uses the public CMS NPPES API which has no cost and requires no API key. NPI numbers are public information under federal law, and there is no charge to search for or view provider information.
Is this NPI data accurate and up to date?
Data is pulled live from the official CMS NPPES API, which is updated daily by CMS. Providers are required to update their NPPES information within 30 days of any change. For critical verifications, always cross-check with the official NPPES registry at npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov.
Can I look up a DEA number from an NPI?
Not directly, NPPES does not contain DEA numbers. However, our DEA Lookup by NPI tool retrieves a provider's full NPPES identity (name, specialty, state license) which is the first step in DEA cross-verification. DEA numbers must be verified separately at the DEA Diversion Control Division website.
What is NPPES?
NPPES stands for National Plan and Provider Enumeration System. It is the federal database maintained by CMS that stores all NPI records. It was established under HIPAA to create a universal provider identifier for all healthcare transactions. The NPPES public API allows free programmatic access to all provider records.
How do I find my own NPI number?
Search your own name using the 'By Provider Name' tab on the homepage. Enter your last name and the state where you practice for best results. Your NPI number, specialty, and practice address will appear in the results.
What is the difference between NPI Type 1 and Type 2?
Type 1 NPIs are for individual healthcare providers, physicians, nurses, dentists, and all other individual practitioners. Type 2 NPIs are for healthcare organizations, hospitals, group practices, clinics, pharmacies, and other entities.
Is this tool affiliated with CMS or the US Government?
No. This is an independent free tool that uses the public CMS NPPES API. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to CMS, HHS, or any government agency. For official verification, visit npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov.
What is CMS?
CMS stands for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the NPPES registry. CMS issues every NPI and maintains the public provider database this tool searches.
How do I verify an NPI number?
Enter the 10-digit NPI in the 'By NPI Number' tab for an exact match. The result confirms whether the number is valid, active, and which provider it belongs to. For official verification, cross-check at npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov.
Can I search by provider name?
Yes. Use the 'By Provider Name' tab and enter a last name (adding a first name and state improves accuracy). This is the most common way to find a provider when you do not have their NPI number.
Can I search for organizations?
Yes. Use the 'By Organization' tab to search hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, laboratories, and group practices by name. These are Type 2 NPIs assigned to healthcare entities.
What is a Type 2 NPI?
A Type 2 NPI is an organizational National Provider Identifier assigned to healthcare entities such as hospitals, group practices, pharmacies, and clinics. On claims it is typically the billing provider, while an individual's Type 1 NPI is the rendering provider.
How often is the NPI database updated?
The NPPES registry is updated daily by CMS with new enrollments, address changes, deactivations, and taxonomy updates. Providers are required to update their record within 30 days of any change. This tool queries the database live, so results reflect the latest data.
Can I look up taxonomy codes?
Yes. Every NPI record includes taxonomy (specialty) codes. You can view a provider's taxonomy from their record, or filter searches by specialty to find providers of a specific type.
How do I search by state?
Use our state pages, which pre-filter the NPPES search to a single state and link to that state's medical board. You can also add a state to any name search to narrow results.
Can I search hospitals?
Yes. Search the hospital's name in the 'By Organization' tab to find its Type 2 NPI. Large hospital systems may hold multiple NPIs for different locations or service lines.
Can I search pharmacies?
Yes. Search the pharmacy name as an organization to find its Type 2 NPI. Individual pharmacists have separate Type 1 NPIs, searchable by name.
Can I verify Medicare enrollment?
An NPI lookup confirms provider identity, which is the first step. Medicare enrollment is tracked in PECOS and confirmed via the provider's PTAN. Use our PECOS and PTAN lookup tools, starting from the NPI, to check Medicare enrollment status.
What is PECOS?
PECOS (Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System) is the CMS system that manages Medicare enrollment. A provider must be enrolled in PECOS to bill Medicare, and their PECOS record is linked to their NPI.
What is PTAN?
PTAN (Provider Transaction Access Number) is a Medicare-specific provider number issued by a Medicare Administrative Contractor when a provider enrolls. It is tied to the provider's NPI and used for Medicare claims and portal access.
What is taxonomy?
A taxonomy code is a 10-character NUCC classification code that identifies a provider's specialty or, for organizations, facility type. Every NPI record has at least one primary taxonomy code.
Can I do a reverse NPI lookup?
Yes. If you have an NPI number from a claim, prescription, or referral, enter it in the 'By NPI Number' tab to identify exactly which provider it belongs to.
Does an NPI number ever expire or change?
No. An individual keeps the same Type 1 NPI for their entire career. It does not expire, though a record can be deactivated (for example, on retirement) and later reactivated. Name changes update the existing record rather than issuing a new number.
How can I report incorrect provider information?
NPPES data is maintained by the providers themselves. Incorrect information should be corrected by the provider through the NPPES system at nppes.cms.hhs.gov. This tool displays the official CMS data and cannot edit provider records.
Is there a limit on how many searches I can run?
No. Searches are free and unlimited. The tool queries the public CMS NPPES API directly from your browser, with no account or login required.