Type 1 vs Type 2 NPI: which one do I need?

Answer: A Type 1 NPI identifies an individual provider; a Type 2 NPI identifies an organization that bills under its own name and tax ID. A solo practitioner needs only a Type 1. A clinic, group practice, or an LLC or corporation that bills as the entity needs a Type 2 in addition to each provider's Type 1.

Type 1: the individual

Issued to a person and tied to their Social Security number. One per person, for life, in every state and every job. Every licensed provider who touches a claim needs one. This is the NPI SimpleNPI files.

Type 2: the organization

Issued to an entity with its own Employer Identification Number: a clinic, group practice, hospital, agency, or a professional LLC or corporation. On a claim the Type 2 is the billing provider and the clinician's Type 1 is the rendering provider. A solo provider who formed an LLC usually still bills as an individual and does not need a Type 2, unless a payer contracts with the entity. See Do I need a Type 2 NPI for my LLC?.

Sole proprietors

CMS treats a sole proprietor as an individual. A sole proprietor gets one Type 1 NPI even with a business name and an EIN, and is not eligible for a Type 2. Incorporating changes that: an incorporated individual is an organization.

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.