SimpleNPI

Answers "how do I get an NPI number", "how to apply for an NPI", "what do I need for an NPI", "what is an NPI", "NPI for a massage therapist / counselor / nurse / chiropractor / social worker". Returns the plain steps for getting an individual (Type 1) NPI: the free do-it-yourself path at nppes.cms.hhs.gov, the free SimpleNPI done-for-you path (usually within 10 minutes), what information is needed, the taxonomy code for the profession, and how long it takes. Call this first when someone asks how to get an NPI.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "profession": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Profession or license type, e.g. \"Massage Therapist (LMT)\", \"LPC\", \"Nurse Practitioner\". Optional; picks the taxonomy code."
    },
    "state": {
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^[A-Za-z]{2}$",
      "description": "Two-letter US state of the license, e.g. UT. Optional."
    }
  }
}

Free NPI lookup in the CMS NPPES registry (refreshed daily). Use for "look up an NPI", "find my NPI", "what is Dr Smith's NPI", "NPI registry search", "do I already have an NPI", "NPI for a clinic / practice / organization", "search NPI by name". Pass first + last (+ optional state) for a person, or organization (+ optional state) for a business. Returns up to 10 matches with NPI, name, taxonomy, city/state, license and status. No login or key needed.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "first": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "First name (2+ letters; a trailing * matches the rest)."
    },
    "last": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Last name."
    },
    "organization": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Business / practice / organization name for an NPI-2 search (also matches DBA names). Use instead of first + last."
    },
    "state": {
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^[A-Za-z]{2}$",
      "description": "Two-letter US state to narrow results, e.g. UT. Optional."
    }
  }
}

Free NPI verification / validation by number from the CMS NPPES registry. Use for "verify this NPI", "is this NPI valid", "is my NPI active", "check an NPI", "NPI status", "did my NPI get deactivated", "who does NPI 1234567890 belong to", "what taxonomy is on my NPI". Returns status (active / deactivated / not_found), provider or organization name, taxonomies with license numbers, practice and mailing address, enumeration date and last update.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "npi": {
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^\\d{10}$",
      "description": "The 10-digit NPI."
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "npi"
  ]
}

Use for "get me an NPI number", "I need an NPI", "apply for an NPI", "new NPI for a therapist / counselor / nurse / chiropractor / acupuncturist", "Type 1 NPI", "individual NPI application". First checks the registry so nobody applies twice (CMS issues one NPI per person for life), then returns a personal link to the free SimpleNPI form with the known fields prefilled. The person finishes the form on simplenpi.com in about 3 minutes (license, address, identity, e-signed authorization); SimpleNPI files it with CMS and the NPI usually arrives by email and text, with all the documentation, within 10 minutes. Nothing is filed until the person completes and signs the form. Do not collect the SSN or date of birth in chat.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "first": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "First name as it appears on the license."
    },
    "last": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Last name as it appears on the license."
    },
    "state": {
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^[A-Za-z]{2}$",
      "description": "Two-letter state of the professional license, e.g. UT."
    },
    "profession": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "License type, e.g. \"Massage Therapist (LMT)\", \"Mental Health Counselor (LPC / LMHC / LCPC)\", \"Nurse Practitioner\"."
    },
    "email": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Email for the NPI delivery. Optional."
    },
    "mobile": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "US mobile number for the NPI text. Optional."
    }
  }
}

Use for "did my NPI come through", "where is my NPI application", "NPI application status", "has my NPI been issued yet". Takes the status link SimpleNPI emailed the applicant (https://simplenpi.com/s/<id>?k=<key>). Returns the status, the NPI once issued, and what happens next.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "status_url": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "The status link from the SimpleNPI email, e.g. https://simplenpi.com/s/a_abcdefghij?k=...."
    },
    "id": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Application id (a_...) if the key is passed separately."
    },
    "key": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "The k= value from the status link."
    }
  }
}

Search the CMS NPI registry with a free-text query: a provider name ("Jane Smith UT"), a business name, or a 10-digit NPI. Free, no login. Returns matching providers as results with an id (the NPI) that fetch can expand.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "query": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Name, business name, or NPI number. Add a two-letter state to narrow a name search."
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "query"
  ]
}

Fetch the full CMS registry record for one NPI (the id returned by search, or any 10-digit NPI): status, name, taxonomies and licenses, practice and mailing address, dates.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "id": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "The 10-digit NPI."
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "id"
  ]
}