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NPPES NPI Registration: Step-by-Step Walkthrough

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NPPES (National Plan and Provider Enumeration System) is the CMS registry where you register for your National Provider Identifier. This walkthrough covers the full registration process, from creating an account to receiving your NPI.

This process takes 20–40 minutes for most providers. Your NPI is typically assigned immediately after online submission.

Before you start

Gather the following:

For individual providers (Type 1):

  • Legal name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card
  • Social Security Number
  • Date of birth
  • Current email address
  • Primary practice address
  • Your provider taxonomy code (specialty code)
  • Current state license information

For organizations (Type 2):

  • Organization’s legal name exactly as registered with the IRS
  • Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Authorized official’s name, title, and contact information
  • Primary practice location address
  • Organization taxonomy code

Finding the right taxonomy code: The official taxonomy code list is maintained by the Washington Publishing Company (wpc-edi.com). The list is also searchable on the NPPES registration pages. For Medicare, you want the most specific taxonomy code for your primary practice specialty.

Part 1: Create an NPPES account

Step 1: Go to nppes.cms.hhs.gov Click “Create an Account” at the top right.

Step 2: Enter your email address This becomes your NPPES username. Use a permanent, professional email address. NPPES will send your NPI notification and account management emails here.

Step 3: Create your account credentials

  • Choose a username (or use your email as username)
  • Create a strong password
  • Set up security questions and answers

Step 4: Verify your email CMS sends a verification link to your email. Click it to activate your account.

Part 2: Start your NPI application

Step 5: Log in to NPPES Use the credentials you just created.

Step 6: Start a new NPI application From the dashboard, click “Apply for an NPI.”

Step 7: Choose NPI type

  • Individual (Type 1) — for individual healthcare providers
  • Organization (Type 2) — for group practices, facilities, and organizations

Select the correct type. This determines the subsequent screens.

Part 3: Individual (Type 1) application

Step 8: Provider type Select your primary provider type from the dropdown. This helps NPPES guide you to the right taxonomy codes.

Step 9: Taxonomy code Select your primary taxonomy code. This is the most consequential field.

How to find the right code:

  1. In the NPPES taxonomy field, type keywords from your specialty (e.g., “physical therapist”, “nurse practitioner”, “behavior analyst”)
  2. Review the matching codes and descriptions
  3. Select the code that best matches your specific practice specialty and setting
  4. Add secondary taxonomy codes if you practice multiple specialties

⚠️ Pick the most specific code for your Medicare billing specialty. Using a general code when a specific one exists for your specialty can cause Medicare enrollment taxonomy mismatches.

Step 10: Legal name Enter your legal name:

  • First name, middle name (optional), last name
  • Suffix (Jr., Sr., II — if legally part of your name)
  • Must match Social Security Administration records

Step 11: Other name (if applicable) If you use a different name professionally (maiden name, married name), enter it here. For Medicare purposes, your legal name is primary.

Step 12: Date of birth and gender Date of birth: used for identity validation. Gender: optional.

Step 13: Social Security Number Entered for identity verification. Not publicly displayed. Required for individual NPI registration.

Step 14: Primary practice address Enter the physical address where you primarily provide services:

  • Street address (no P.O. Boxes)
  • City, state, ZIP+4
  • Phone number
  • Fax number (optional)

This information appears in the public NPPES registry.

Step 15: Additional practice locations (optional) Add up to multiple secondary practice locations with their own addresses and taxonomy codes (if different from primary).

Step 16: State licensure Enter your current state professional license(s):

  • State
  • License type
  • License number
  • Issue and expiration dates

Add licenses for every state where you currently practice.

Step 17: Review Review all entered information carefully. Once submitted, corrections require going back into the system.

Step 18: Submit Click “Submit.” If everything is valid, your NPI is assigned immediately and displayed on screen. You’ll also receive an email confirmation.

Part 4: Organization (Type 2) application

Step 8: Organization type Select your organization type (hospital, group practice, home health agency, etc.).

Step 9: Taxonomy code Same process as individual — select the code(s) that best represent the organization’s service type.

Step 10: Organization name Enter the legal organization name exactly as it appears on your IRS EIN documentation. Include any “Inc.”, “LLC”, “PLLC”, commas, periods.

“Other name” for DBA (doing business as) name if different.

Step 11: EIN Employer Identification Number. Required for Type 2.

Step 12: Authorized official Name, title, phone, email of the individual authorized to bind the organization.

Step 13: Practice location Physical address, phone, fax.

Step 14: Review and submit Same review process. NPI assigned immediately upon successful submission.

After receiving your NPI

Verify your record: Within 24 hours, your NPI should appear in the public NPI registry at npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov. Verify all information is correct.

Wait before using in PECOS: After registering or updating NPPES, wait 24–72 hours before initiating PECOS actions. NPPES data takes time to propagate.

Save your NPI: Your 10-digit NPI is used on all claims, enrollment applications, and provider-side healthcare transactions. Keep it recorded in a secure location.

Maintaining your NPPES record

Update NPPES whenever:

  • Practice address changes
  • Phone or fax changes
  • Legal name changes
  • New licenses added or expired
  • Taxonomy code needs updating
  • You add or close a practice location

Log in at nppes.cms.hhs.gov → find your NPI → update.

Have questions about the NPPES registration process? Ask Mae →