NPPES NPI Registry

B
B tier on Healthcare Provider DirectoriesScore 7.0 · #11 of 15
Android app
Not listed
Free plan
Yes
Runs on
api, Web
npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov
The NPPES NPI Registry homepage

Summary

NPPES NPI Registry is a free public directory of active National Provider Identifier records for health care providers and health plans. Users can search by NPI number or type, taxonomy, provider and organization names, authorized official, location, postal code, and address type. CMS offers access through a web search, an API, and downloadable files. The search page shows at most the first 2,100 records, and hourly query limits apply; bulk queries must use the DDS file. Downloadable ZIP files include reference files for other names, practice locations, and endpoints. As of March 3, 2026, Version 1 monthly and weekly files are no longer supported, and Version 2 is recommended. The listed September 14, 2026 monthly Version 2 file is 1,105.79 MB. Registry records and downloads are subject to FOIA disclosure, and active records cannot be suppressed or opted out. CMS does not provide technical support for working with dissemination files.

Who it is for

It suits providers, enumerators, CMS staff, and health care industry users who need to look up or work with NPI records. Developers can also use the API, while bulk users need to use the DDS file.

What is good

  • Free access to active NPI records
  • Search by identifiers, names, taxonomy, and location
  • Available through web search, API, and downloads
  • Downloads include name, location, and endpoint references

What to know first

  • Search results stop at 2,100 records
  • Hourly query limits apply
  • Active records cannot be suppressed or opted out
  • CMS offers no dissemination-file technical support

Verdict

NPPES NPI Registry provides several ways to access active provider identifier records, including an API and downloadable files. Keep its search cap, hourly query limits, and public disclosure terms in mind when choosing an access method.

NPPES NPI Registry plans and pricing

All plans
NPI Registry Public Search Free active NPI records · first 2100 search results · hourly query limits npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on healthcare provider directories

Free plan
Yesnpiregistry.cms.hhs.gov
Specialty filters
Yesnpiregistry.cms.hhs.gov
Organization profiles
Yesnpiregistry.cms.hhs.gov
API access
Yesnpiregistry.cms.hhs.gov

Facts

Purpose
NPPES assigns unique National Provider Identifiers to health care providers and health plans.security.cms.gov · 30 Sept 2026
Public directory
The NPI Registry is a free directory of active National Provider Identifier records.npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov · 30 Sept 2026
Search
Search supports NPI number, NPI type, taxonomy, provider or organization names, authorized official names, city, state, country, postal code and address type.npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov · 30 Sept 2026
Search limit
The search page limits results to the first 2100 records.npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov · 30 Sept 2026
Query limits
Since June 25, 2024, NPPES limits the number of Registry queries that can be completed per hour, and bulk queries must use the DDS file.npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov · 30 Sept 2026
Access methods
CMS provides the directory through public web search, full downloadable files and an API.npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov · 30 Sept 2026
Download contents
Each zipped downloadable file includes Other Name, Practice Location and Endpoint reference files.download.cms.gov · 30 Sept 2026
File version
Effective March 3, 2026, NPPES no longer supports Version 1 monthly and weekly downloadable files and recommends Version 2.download.cms.gov · 30 Sept 2026
Current data file
The September 14, 2026 monthly Version 2 dissemination file is provided in ZIP format and is listed as 1,105.79 MB.download.cms.gov · 30 Sept 2026
Download support
CMS states that no help desk or technical support is available for downloading, manipulating or using the dissemination file.cms.gov · 30 Sept 2026
Public disclosure
NPI Registry and downloadable data are FOIA-disclosable, and active NPPES records cannot be suppressed or opted out.cms.gov · 30 Sept 2026
Integration
NPPES shares an API with CMS's Provider Enrollment Chain and Ownership System to update provider information.security.cms.gov · 30 Sept 2026
Security
NPPES uses need-to-know access, role-based controls, firewalls, VPNs, intrusion detection and multifactor authentication.security.cms.gov · 30 Sept 2026
Digital contacts
NPPES can capture provider endpoints such as Direct addresses, FHIR server URLs and query endpoints for electronic health information exchange.cms.gov · 30 Sept 2026
Target users
The system's users include providers, enumerators, CMS staff and the health care industry.security.cms.gov · 30 Sept 2026

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