How to Find a Provider's NPI Number
You can find almost any provider's NPI for free by searching the public registry by name and state, or by organization name.
Search on this site
Use the lookup on the home page. Choose Name or organization, enter a last name and first name (or an organization name), and pick a state. This site asks the same CMS registry that the official site uses.
Make sure it's the right one
- Compare the city and state of the practice location with where you saw the provider.
- Check the specialty. A common name may match several providers with different specialties.
- Look at the credentials (MD, DO, NP, PT and so on) and the license number if one is listed.
- For a group or hospital, check whether you want the organization's NPI (Type 2) or an individual's (Type 1). Claims often need both. See the difference.
Tips for searching
- Add a * after at least two letters to match the start of a name, for example smi*.
- Try a nickname's full form (Robert for Bob). The registry lists the name the provider enrolled under.
- If a provider recently moved, the address may still be the old one. Providers are required to update their record, but updates can lag.
If you can't find them
Not every professional has an NPI. Some staff who don't bill insurance never apply. A provider could also be listed under a different name, such as a maiden name or a business name. When it matters, ask the provider's office for the NPI directly.
Sources
Reviewed October 2026. Federal rules and CMS pages change; check them for the latest.
Look one up
Need a number now? Search the registry by NPI, name or organization.