How to Apply for an NPI Number: Step-by-Step

Before You Begin: What You Will Need

Before starting your NPPES application, gather the following documents and information. For individual providers (Type 1 NPI): your full legal name as it appears on your government-issued ID, your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, your date of birth, your primary practice address and mailing address, your state medical/professional license number and the issuing state, your taxonomy code(s) identifying your specialty, and your contact phone number and email address. For organizational providers (Type 2 NPI): the organization's legal name, Employer Identification Number (EIN), primary business address, authorized official name and contact details, and all relevant taxonomy codes for the organization's services.

Step 1: Create an I&A System Account

The first step is creating an account in CMS's Identity and Access Management (I&A) system at nppes.cms.hhs.gov. Click 'Create Account' and complete the registration. You will need to provide a valid email address, create a username and password, and complete identity verification. The I&A account is separate from NPPES itself — it is the CMS-wide login system used for NPPES, PECOS, and other CMS applications. If you already have a PECOS account or other CMS login, you may be able to use those credentials to access NPPES. Keep your I&A credentials secure — you will need them to update your NPI record in the future.

Step 2: Select Your NPI Type

After logging in, select the type of NPI you are applying for. Choose NPI-1 (Individual) if you are a healthcare professional applying for your personal NPI — this includes physicians, nurses, dentists, therapists, and all individual practitioners. Choose NPI-2 (Organizational) if you are applying on behalf of a healthcare organization such as a medical group, hospital, pharmacy, clinic, or other healthcare entity. Remember: individual providers receive exactly one NPI-1 for their lifetime. Organizations may obtain multiple NPI-2s if they operate multiple distinct locations under different tax IDs. Do not apply for a new NPI if you already have one — you can look up your existing NPI using this tool.

Step 3: Enter Provider Information

Complete all required fields in the application form. For individual providers, enter your name exactly as it appears on your professional license. The name in NPPES should match your license and DEA registration to avoid discrepancies during credentialing. Enter your primary practice address — this is the address that will appear publicly in the NPPES registry and be used by payers and credentialing organizations. Enter all current state license numbers. If you are licensed in multiple states, enter all license numbers in the application. This information is crucial for providers who practice across state lines or hold telehealth licenses in multiple jurisdictions.

Step 4: Select Your Taxonomy Code(s)

Taxonomy codes identify your medical specialty within the NPPES system. You must select at least one primary taxonomy code. To find your correct taxonomy code, use the taxonomy code lookup within the NPPES application or refer to the Healthcare Provider Taxonomy Code Set published by NUCC (nucc.org). Common taxonomy codes include: 207R00000X for Internal Medicine physicians, 208000000X for Pediatricians, 363L00000X for Nurse Practitioners, 363A00000X for Physician Assistants, and 183500000X for Pharmacists. Selecting accurate taxonomy codes matters because payers and credentialing databases use them to match you to your specialty. You can add secondary taxonomy codes to reflect subspecialties or additional certifications.

Step 5: Submit and Receive Your NPI

Review your application carefully before submitting. Once submitted, CMS processes the application and typically assigns an NPI within 1–3 business days. You will receive an email notification with your new 10-digit NPI number. Your record will also immediately become searchable in the NPPES public registry. Save your NPI in a secure location — you will use it on every insurance enrollment form, claim form, prescription, and credentialing application going forward. If you do not receive your NPI within 5 business days, contact the NPI Enumerator at 1-800-465-3203 for assistance.

After You Receive Your NPI: Next Steps

Once you have your NPI, several immediate next steps are important. First, verify your record is searchable in the NPPES registry using this tool — confirm your name, address, and taxonomy appear correctly. Second, enroll with Medicare through PECOS (pecos.cms.hhs.gov) if you will see Medicare patients. Third, enroll with your state's Medicaid program through the appropriate state portal. Fourth, provide your NPI to all health insurance payers you will bill — most payers require NPI enrollment before you can submit claims. Fifth, provide your NPI to your hospital or group practice for inclusion in their billing system and provider directory.

Applying for a Group Practice or Organization NPI

Organizations applying for a Type 2 NPI follow a similar process but with some differences. The authorized official — typically the CEO, owner, or managing physician — must have their own I&A account and complete the application on behalf of the organization. The organization's EIN (not SSN) is used for identification. The organization's legal name and business address are required, along with taxonomy codes representing the types of services the organization provides. Organizations that operate multiple distinct locations (such as a hospital system with multiple campuses) may need separate Type 2 NPIs for each location, particularly if each location bills independently or operates under a different tax ID.

Common Application Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Several common mistakes can delay NPI assignment or create problems later. First, entering a name that doesn't match your license — NPPES should match your license name exactly, including middle name or initial if it appears on your license. Second, selecting the wrong taxonomy code — spending time selecting the accurate primary taxonomy saves future headaches during credentialing. Third, entering an incorrect SSN or EIN — this will cause immediate processing failure. Fourth, using a personal address instead of a practice address — the NPPES record is public, so most providers use their practice address rather than home address. Fifth, forgetting to update NPPES when your information changes — you are legally required to update within 30 days of any change.

Frequently Asked Questions