---
kind: "section"
citation: "45 C.F.R. § 162.406"
title: "45"
number: "162.406"
heading: "Standard unique health identifier for health care providers."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/45/162.406"
---

# §162.406. Standard unique health identifier for health care providers.

- (a) **Standard.** The standard unique health identifier for health care providers is the National Provider Identifier (NPI). The NPI is a 10-position numeric identifier, with a check digit in the 10th position, and no intelligence about the health care provider in the number.
- (b) **Required and permitted uses for the NPI.**
  - (1) The NPI must be used as stated in §§ [162.410](/cfr/45/162.410.md), [162.412](/cfr/45/162.412.md), and [162.414](/cfr/45/162.414.md).
  - (2) The NPI may be used for any other lawful purpose.

## Notes

### Source

Source: 69 FR 3468, Jan. 23, 2004, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1320d—1320d-9 and secs. 1104 and 10109 of Pub. L. 111-148, 124 Stat. 146-154 and 915-917.

### Source

Source: 65 FR 50367, Aug. 17, 2000, unless otherwise noted.