NPPES NPI Registry
NPPES NPI Registry is a free public directory of active National Provider Identifier records for health care providers and health plans.
What NPPES NPI Registry is
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.
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
Watch out
- 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
Who it suits
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.
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.
Plans and prices
From NPPES NPI Registry's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| NPI Registry Public Search | Free | active NPI records · first 2100 search results · hourly query limits |
The facts
Each one read from NPPES NPI Registry's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Access methods
- CMS provides the directory through public web search, full downloadable files and an API.checked 30 Sep 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.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Digital contacts
- NPPES can capture provider endpoints such as Direct addresses, FHIR server URLs and query endpoints for electronic health information exchange.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Download contents
- Each zipped downloadable file includes Other Name, Practice Location and Endpoint reference files.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Download support
- CMS states that no help desk or technical support is available for downloading, manipulating or using the dissemination file.checked 30 Sep 2026
- File version
- Effective March 3, 2026, NPPES no longer supports Version 1 monthly and weekly downloadable files and recommends Version 2.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Integration
- NPPES shares an API with CMS's Provider Enrollment Chain and Ownership System to update provider information.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Public directory
- The NPI Registry is a free directory of active National Provider Identifier records.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Public disclosure
- NPI Registry and downloadable data are FOIA-disclosable, and active NPPES records cannot be suppressed or opted out.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- NPPES assigns unique National Provider Identifiers to health care providers and health plans.checked 30 Sep 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.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Search
- Search supports NPI number, NPI type, taxonomy, provider or organization names, authorized official names, city, state, country, postal code and address type.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Search limit
- The search page limits results to the first 2100 records.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Security
- NPPES uses need-to-know access, role-based controls, firewalls, VPNs, intrusion detection and multifactor authentication.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Target users
- The system's users include providers, enumerators, CMS staff and the health care industry.checked 30 Sep 2026
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