Can I get an NPI before I am licensed?

Answer: Yes. CMS does not require a license to issue an NPI. Students apply under the Student taxonomy (390200000X); associates, interns and provisional licensees apply under their profession's taxonomy with whatever license or permit they hold. The NPI never changes; you update the taxonomy and license in NPPES later.

Students

Anyone enrolled in an accredited health care program can get an NPI with taxonomy 390200000X, Student in an Organized Health Care Education/Training Program. Medical, dental and PA students do this routinely before clinical rotations. When you are licensed, sign in to NPPES, add the new taxonomy and license, make it primary, and remove the student code. See NPI for students and interns.

Associates, interns and provisional licensees

Associate counselors (LPC-Associate, ACMHC, LAC), associate MFTs, LMSWs working toward the LCSW, clinical fellows in speech-language pathology and residents all get NPIs under their profession's regular taxonomy. There is no separate associate code. Enter the provisional or associate license number your state issued. Supervising practices usually ask for the NPI so the associate can be the rendering provider on claims.

No license in your state

A few professions are unlicensed in a few states (massage therapy in a handful of states, nutrition in others). The NPPES application asks for a license number alongside the taxonomy; where none exists, a person at SimpleNPI reviews the application before filing.

Need an NPI?

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

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.