Is an NPI Number Public Information?
Yes. NPI records are public on purpose: the registry exists so that anyone can verify a provider's identifier.
What's public
CMS publishes NPPES data in the online registry and as a downloadable file. For each provider it includes the NPI, name, entity type, practice location and phone, taxonomy codes (specialties) and the license numbers the provider chose to list. It does not include a Social Security number.
Why it's public
Health plans, hospitals, labs and patients all need to confirm who a provider is. An identifier that was secret couldn't do that job.
Should providers worry?
- An NPI is an identifier like a business registration number. Knowing it isn't enough to bill as you, but fraudsters have used real providers' NPIs on false claims, so watch your remittance statements and explanation-of-benefits records.
- Solo practitioners should review the practice location in their record. If it's a home address, consider whether to use a business address. Update it through NPPES.
What this site shows
This site shows data from the same public registry. It leaves out mailing addresses and authorized-official details, and it links to the official record for anything more.
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.