NPI number for chiropractors

Chiropractors bill Medicare, auto injury carriers, workers' compensation and commercial plans, and every one of those claims starts with the individual NPI. Associates in a group practice need their own Type 1 even when the clinic bills under its Type 2.

Short answer: chiropractors need an NPI when a payer, platform or employer puts them on a claim. The NPI is free, takes minutes, and lasts for life. SimpleNPI files it for you for free, usually within 10 minutes, or you can apply yourself at NPPES. Check the free lookup first in case you already have one.

Who asks chiropractors for an NPI

Medicare (PECOS): Chiropractors enroll in Medicare for spinal manipulation; the NPI is the first field.
Auto injury and workers' compensation: PIP, MedPay and work-comp claims list your Type 1 as the treating provider.
Commercial plans and the VA: Credentialing, CAQH and VA Community Care all key on the NPI.
Group practices: The clinic bills under its Type 2 NPI and lists each DC's Type 1 as rendering provider.

When you can skip it

A cash-only practice that never bills and never writes superbills.

Taxonomy code for a chiropractor

The taxonomy code tells CMS and every payer your profession. For most chiropractors it is 111N00000X, Chiropractor. SimpleNPI enters it for you from your license type.

Your license on the application

Enter your chiropractic license number and state exactly as the board lists it.

Before you are licensed

Chiropractic students and interns can use the Student taxonomy (390200000X) and switch to Chiropractor at licensure.

Two free ways to get it

Option 1 · Free · Easiest

SimpleNPI files it for you

One short form: name, license, contact, address, identity and an e-signed authorization. About 3 minutes, no CMS account to create.
A person checks your license and address, then files the application with CMS under your signed authorization.
Your NPI arrives by email and text, with all the documentation, usually within 10 minutes. Filed after midnight Eastern? It issues around 6 am Eastern.

Usually within 10 minutes after the form is complete.

Start the free application

Option 2 · Free

Apply yourself at NPPES

Create an Identity & Access account at nppes.cms.hhs.gov.
Choose Apply for an NPI for myself, Individual (Type 1).
Enter identity, addresses, taxonomy code and license number, then certify and submit.

Usually a few business days; often minutes when the Social Security match passes.

Go to NPPES

What you need (either path)

Legal name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card, date of birth, Social Security number, sex, and birth state or country
Email and mobile phone
Mailing address and practice address (home is fine)
Chiropractor license number (DC) and the state that issued it

Questions chiropractors ask

What is the taxonomy code for a chiropractor?

111N00000X, Chiropractor. NUCC also lists specializations (sports, orthopedic, neurology and others); the general code is what most payers expect.

Does a new associate chiropractor need an NPI if the clinic already has one?

Yes. The clinic's Type 2 NPI is the billing provider; your Type 1 NPI is the rendering provider on each claim.

Written by Ammon Hardin, LMT, who grew a massage practice to ten locations, built a veteran therapy network, and credentialed a large number of providers along the way. Updated Tue Oct 27, 2026. Free to read, free to use; SimpleNPI files NPI applications for free.