Organization NPI lookup
Every clinic, practice, hospital, pharmacy and lab that bills insurance has an organization NPI. Search 1,959,633 active organization records by the start of the legal name, or by NPI.
Search, then check in five steps
Look the provider up by name or 10-digit National Provider Identifier above, then work through the five checks. Every link goes to an official government or certifying-body source; none of them costs money or asks who you are. Stop at any check that does not match and call the provider's office before booking.
- 1IdentityNPI record in CMS NPPESNPI lookupStart here
- 2LicenseActive license and public ordersState board searchCheck the board
- 3Other statesLicenses and actions elsewhereDocInfo (FSMB)Not checked
- 4ExclusionsMedicare and Medicaid bansHHS-OIG exclusion listNot checked
- 5CertificationBoard certificationABMS, AOA, NCCPA, AANPNot checked
Reading the NPPES record
NPPES fields are reported by the provider and are not audited by CMS. What each field does and does not tell you:
- NPIA unique, lifetime federal identifier for billing. Not a measure of quality, training, board status or license.
- Primary taxonomy (NUCC)The provider's own choice of specialty category. Not board certification or fellowship training.
- Practice addressThe latest address sent to CMS. Not proof the office is open or accepting new patients.
- Credential (MD, DO, NP)The letters the provider reported. Confirm the degree and license on the state board.
- Enumeration dateWhen the NPI was issued. Not years of experience or current activity.
When the data does not match
- A different practice address: NPPES is refreshed monthly and many providers update late. Call the office.
- An inactive or revoked license on the board search: do not book until it is explained; the board's status outranks any directory.
- No board certification found: certification is voluntary, and some specialties certify through other bodies.
- NPI not found: re-enter the 10 digits and confirm with the provider; a missing NPI is unusual for anyone who bills Medicare or Medicaid.
Common questions
Is an NPI proof of board certification?
No. An NPI is a free, lifetime identifier for billing. It does not confirm board certification, a current license, hospital privileges or training.
Can I tell from PlainDoctor whether a provider has been disciplined?
Not for an individual. Board actions are on the state board's search and on DocInfo; federal exclusions are on the HHS-OIG list. PlainDoctor links to each.
What does the NUCC taxonomy code mean?
It is the provider type the provider chose when applying for the NPI, from the National Uniform Claim Committee code set. See the taxonomy code lookup.
Is this tool a substitute for medical advice?
No. It helps you find and check a provider's public record. It does not rate, rank or recommend anyone.
After you find the record
- Verify a doctor, in five checks
Where to do each check, and what to look for.
- Medical license lookup by state
The official search for all 50 states and D.C.
- Compare providers
Two records side by side on the same federal measures.
Sources: CMS NPPES NPI Registry (npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov); FSMB (fsmb.org); HHS-OIG LEIE (oig.hhs.gov).