NPI number for physician assistants

A new PA needs the NPI before credentialing, Medicare enrollment, e-prescribing setup and the first prescription. Employers ask for it in the offer paperwork.

Short answer: physician assistants 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 physician assistants for an NPI

Medicare (PECOS) and Medicaid: PAs enroll individually; the NPI is the first field.
Employers and credentialing: Hospitals, clinics and CAQH key on it.
Pharmacies, labs and PDMP systems: Orders and prescriptions carry the ordering provider's NPI.
Commercial plans: Claims list the PA as rendering provider.

When you can skip it

Almost never; every practicing PA needs one.

Taxonomy code for a physician assistant

The taxonomy code tells CMS and every payer your profession. For most physician assistants it is 363A00000X, Physician Assistant. SimpleNPI enters it for you from your license type.

Also used	NUCC name	When
`363AM0700X`	Medical Physician Assistant	Physician Assistant, Medical.
`363AS0400X`	Surgical Physician Assistant	Physician Assistant, Surgical.

Your license on the application

Enter your PA license number and state exactly as the board lists it. New graduates waiting on the state license can apply once it is issued, or earlier with the Student taxonomy.

Before you are licensed

PA students can use the Student taxonomy (390200000X) and switch 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)
Physician Assistant license number (PA, PA-C) and the state that issued it

Questions physician assistants ask

What is the taxonomy code for a physician assistant?

363A00000X, Physician Assistant. Medical (363AM0700X) and Surgical (363AS0400X) specializations also exist.

Should I get my NPI before I have a job?

Yes. Credentialing takes weeks, and it cannot start without the NPI. Most PAs apply the week the state license is issued.

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.