Can students and interns get an NPI number?

Answer: Yes. Students in an accredited health care program apply with taxonomy 390200000X, Student in an Organized Health Care Education/Training Program. Interns, residents and clinical fellows who hold a training license apply under their profession's code. The NPI is permanent; you update the taxonomy in NPPES at licensure.

Who uses the Student code

Medical, dental, PA, pharmacy, nursing, PT, OT, SLP, counseling, social work and psychology students who need an NPI before they hold any license. Training programs ask for it for e-prescribing, EHR access and credentialing files.

Who uses the profession code instead

Anyone with a training, provisional or associate license: residents with a training license, clinical fellows (CF-SLP), associate counselors and MFTs, LMSWs, postdoctoral psychology residents. Enter that license number in the application.

At licensure

Sign in to NPPES, add the new taxonomy and license, make it primary, and remove the Student code. The NPI itself never changes. How to update NPI information.

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.