Where to look for your NPI login details

Your NPI username and password are stored in your NPI account settings, not sent to you in a single email after signup. If you signed up for NPI (the National Provider Identifier system run by CMS), check the email address you used during registration — look for a welcome message or account confirmation. The username is often the email address itself, though you may have chosen something different during setup.

If you cannot find that original email, log in to the NPI portal directly at npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov and use the "Forgot Username" or "Forgot Password" link on the login page. This is the fastest way to recover either one without calling.

Key Takeaways

  • Your NPI username is usually the email address you registered with, but you may have created a different one during signup.
  • The NPI portal at npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov has a "Forgot Username" and "Forgot Password" option that works without calling anyone.
  • Check your email inbox and spam folder for the original account confirmation message, which often contains your username.
  • If you registered through a third-party system (your state medical board, for example), contact that organization instead of CMS directly.

Using the NPI portal's password recovery tool

Go to npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov and click "Forgot Password" or "Forgot Username" at the bottom of the login box. You will be asked to enter the email address associated with your account. CMS will send a reset link to that email within a few minutes.

Click the link in the email and follow the prompts to create a new password or view your username. The link expires after 24 hours, so do this step right away. If you do not see the email, check your spam folder and your email provider's promotions tab — CMS emails sometimes land there.

Checking your email for the original signup message

Search your email inbox for messages from npiregistry@cms.hhs.gov or any message with "NPI" in the subject line. The original welcome email usually includes your username and instructions for setting your password. This message may be several years old if you registered a long time ago, so search back through your entire email history.

If you have changed email addresses since you signed up, you will not be able to use the password recovery tool with your current email. In that case, contact the NPI customer service line at 1-800-465-3203 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time) and have your NPI number ready. They can update your email address on file and send recovery instructions to the new one.

What to do if you registered through your state or a third party

Some healthcare providers register for an NPI through their state medical board, state health department, or a professional organization rather than directly through CMS. If this describes you, your username and password recovery options may be different.

Contact the organization that handled your registration — usually your state's medical or nursing board — and ask them how to recover your login details. They may have their own password reset system, or they may need to contact CMS on your behalf. Have your NPI number and the name or license number you used to register ready when you call.

Resetting a forgotten password step by step

Go to npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov and select "Forgot Password" on the login page. Enter the email address you used when you registered. CMS will send a password reset email to that address within a few minutes.

Open the email and click the reset link. You will be taken to a page where you can create a new password. Make it at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol (like ! or @) — the NPI system requires this. After you save the new password, you can log in with your username and the new password right away.

Keeping your username and password find

Once you have recovered your login details, write them down in a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into your web browser. Do not store them in a text file on your desktop or in an email draft. A password manager encrypts them and fills them in automatically, so you do not have to type them by hand each time.

Change your NPI password every 90 days if you use it to access patient data or submit claims. If you suspect someone else has your username or password, change it when ready and contact CMS customer service at 1-800-465-3203 to report the breach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username after I create it?

No, the NPI system does not allow you to change your username once it is set. If you want a different username, you would need to contact CMS customer service at 1-800-465-3203 to discuss your options. In most cases, you will keep the same username for the life of your NPI account.

What if I never received a welcome email from CMS?

Check your spam folder and your email provider's promotions or updates tab — CMS emails sometimes get filtered there. If you still cannot find it, use the "Forgot Username" tool on the NPI portal instead. That tool works even if you never received the original email.

How long does it take to get a password reset email?

CMS usually sends the reset email within a few minutes. If you do not see it after 10 minutes, check your spam folder. If it still has not arrived, try the password reset again with a different email address if you have one on file, or call 1-800-465-3203 for help.

Can I use the same password for my NPI account and other websites?

No — use a different password for your NPI account than you use anywhere else. If someone breaks into another website and gets your password, they could use it to access your NPI account and your patient data. A password manager makes it straightforward to keep different passwords for each site.