Your guide to applying for a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number

Note: Applying for your NPI is always free. If any website or individual is requesting money for the NPI application process, it is fraudulent. 

Login/create an account: Go to the NPPES website and either log in or sign up for a new account. If you already have an individual account and NPI, you can log in to the same account to create your Type 2 Organization NPI. Multifactor Authentication is required.

Select individual or organization: You will see options that state “Apply for an NPI for myself” (Type 1) or “Apply for an NPI for an organization” (Type 2). Click the button that fits your situation.

Enter individual information: Enter your provider information for a Type 1 individual application (Name, title, birth information, SSN). For a Type 2 organization application, select that you are an employee of the organization.

EIN and business name (type 2 organization application only): Enter the EIN and business name for your organization.

Subpart (type 2 organization application only): You will be prompted to respond ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ when asked if your organization is part of a larger business or organization entity. In most cases, if you are just setting up your own practice, you should answer ‘No’.

Authorized official for the organization (type 2 organization application only): Enter the information of the individual who is the authorized official. If you are applying for your own organization, you will input your individual information. 

Mailing address and practice location: For Type 1 and Type 2 applications, you will provide the mailing address and practice location for your organization or individual practice. You have the option to add languages spoken and hours of operation for the practice location. You are able to input multiple practice locations if applicable, but must select a primary location. 

Endpoints: This is one of the more confusing aspects of the application. This is a chance to enter standardized locations on computer networks that can share protected health information. This may be necessary if your organization works closely with hospitals or doctors offices for example. Entering this information is optional and in most cases is not necessary. This step can be skipped unless this type of data transfer is central to the operations of your organization.

Other identifiers: You will be prompted to input any other identifiers you have such as a Medicare or Medicaid identifier. If you do not have any of these identifiers, skip this step. Do not enter your social security number or organization EIN during this step.

Taxonomy codes: This is also one of the most daunting parts of the application. For both Type 1 & Type 2 applications, you will search the drop down to select the taxonomy code that describes your area of practice as a provider (Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Social Worker, etc). If applicable, you may select more than 1 practice taxonomy code. 

For Type 2 applications only, you will choose Single Specialty or Multi Specialty. Most private and group practices will choose the Single Specialty taxonomy since you will only operate with other mental health providers. A Multi Specialty practice would only apply if your organization will employ other types of providers such as primary care doctors. 

Contact person: Enter the information for the main contact person that NPPES will interact with and send the NPI number to. You have the option to select that the contact person is the provider (Type 1) or authorized official (Type 2) previously entered.

Error check: The system runs an automated error check and provides any corrections that need to be made. 

Submit: The final step is select the checkbox to certify the completion and submit the application.