How to Get a CAQH Number: A Step-by-Step Guide for Healthcare Providers

Acquiring credentials in healthcare is notoriously difficult. It’s a complex, time-consuming, and often frustrating process. According to the CAQH Index (2023), 74% of healthcare providers experience delays in payer enrollment due to credentialing issues. These delays don’t just affect providers—they create a ripple effect that impacts patient care, slows down reimbursements, and adds unnecessary stress to healthcare operations.

Did You Know?
The healthcare industry could save $20 billion every year by switching from manual to electronic credentialing systems (CAQH Index, 2024). Automation eliminates waste, reduces administrative burdens, and speeds up the payment cycle.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get your CAQH number quickly and efficiently—without the jargon or confusion whether you’re a new provider just getting started or an established practice expanding your payer network.

What Exactly Is CAQH and Why Should You Care?

CAQH, or Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare, works toward a user’s efficiency as it is a non-profit organization focusing on healthcare administration for both the providers and the payers. Consider it an online database in which healthcare providers keep and offer several insurance providers their credentialing data.

With CAQH ProView, providers only need to input their CAQH data once, as the relevant payers will access it. This system alleviates the need to repetitively fill out paperwork, which in turn saves time, reduces errors, improves productivity, and accelerates credentialing and enrollment workflows.

What is CAQH Attestation and Why It Matters

CAQH attestation is more than just a checkbox; it’s your formal confirmation that the information in your profile is accurate and up to date.

Healthcare providers must attest their CAQH ProView profile at least once every 120 days. This keeps your data active and ensures that insurance payers can use your profile for credentialing and network participation.

Failing to attest on time can lead to:

• Credentialing delays
• Reimbursement issues
• Profile deactivation

How to Get a CAQH Number: Step-by-Step Process

Getting credentialed can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with it for the first time. One key step that simplifies the entire process? Getting your CAQH number.

Confirm if CAQH Registration Is Required

Before jumping in, check with the insurance networks you plan to work with. Most payers require CAQH registration for credentialing, but it’s always good to double-check.

Visit CAQH ProView

Go to proview.caqh.org and click on “Register.” If you already have a profile, you can log in.

Create Your Account

New users will need to provide basic details:

• Full name
• Email address
• National Provider Identifier (NPI)
• Medical license details
• Practice location(s)
  

Complete Your CAQH Profile

Once the account is created, you’ll need to fill out a detailed application. This includes:

• Personal and professional info
• Education and training background
• Work history
• Licensure and board certifications

Upload Required Documents

You’ll be asked to upload digital copies of:

• State medical licenses
• Board certifications
• Malpractice insurance
• DEA certificate (if applicable)
• CV or resume
• Three professional references

Authorize Payers to Access Your Profile

You must permit insurance companies to view your CAQH profile. This step is crucial to getting credentialed.

Review & Attest Your Profile

CAQH requires you to attest (verify and confirm) that your information is complete and accurate. This is a mandatory step and must be done every 120 days to keep your profile active.

Receive Your CAQH Number

Once your profile is submitted and verified, you’ll receive your unique CAQH number via email. This is your official ID for credentialing purposes with participating payers.

How Long Does the CAQH Credentialing Process Take?

The time it takes to complete CAQH credentialing depends on how accurate your profile is and how quickly payers review it.

Stage	Duration	Details
CAQH Profile Submission & Verification	1–3 business days	Time for CAQH to process and verify submitted provider information
Payer Review and Credentialing	4–6 weeks	Time for insurance companies to review your CAQH profile after it’s shared
Full Credentialing Process	60–120 days (approx)	Overall duration varies based on completeness, provider type, and payers

Top 5 Common Mistakes When Registering with CAQH

There are a few mistakes you should avoid while registering with CAQH:

• Inaccurate or Incomplete Information
  Submitting incorrect or incomplete details can delay your registration process.
• Missing Documents
  Forgetting to upload required documents, such as medical licenses or malpractice insurance, can lead to rejection.
• Not Attending Regularly
  Failure to attest your profile every 120 days can result in the deactivation of your CAQH number.
• Ignoring State-Specific Requirements
  State or payer-specific requirements may be overlooked, causing delays in the credentialing process.
• Not Updating Contact Information
  Outdated contact details can create issues with communication and processing.

Advantages of CAQH Credentialing

Credentialing can be a frustrating, time-consuming task for healthcare providers, especially when dealing with multiple payers. That’s where CAQH simplifies the process, offering a centralized solution that brings efficiency and peace of mind.

Centralized Data Management

CAQH ProView allows providers to maintain a single digital profile containing all their credentialing information. This eliminates the need to fill out repetitive paperwork for each payer.

Time and Cost Efficiency

With a better platform, providers save hours typically spent on manual paperwork and follow-ups. Since the platform is free for providers, there are no direct costs involved in maintaining the profile.

Consistent and Accurate Information

By using a standardized system, CAQH helps ensure that the same, up-to-date data is shared with all participating payers. This reduces discrepancies, credentialing delays, and potential claim denials.

Simplified Communication with Payers

Insurance companies can access your profile directly through CAQH ProView, which speeds up the review and approval process. This reduces the need for back-and-forth emails or faxes.

Multi-Payer Accessibility

A single CAQH profile can be used to share information with multiple insurance networks, making it ideal for providers working with several payers or across different states.

Data Security and Compliance

CAQH complies with HIPAA regulations and uses encrypted data protocols to ensure that provider information is kept secure and confidential.

Ongoing Maintenance and Attestation Support

The system reminds providers to regularly attest and update their information, helping ensure that credentialing and re-credentialing processes are never delayed due to outdated data.

Supports Network Expansion

By keeping a verified, complete CAQH profile, providers can more easily join new payer networks and expand their reach, supporting growth and increased revenue opportunities.

CAQH Requirements for Different Provider Types

While the general CAQH registration process is similar across the board, specific requirements or supporting documents may vary depending on your provider type. Understanding these nuances can help avoid delays or rejections during credentialing.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Medical Doctors (MDs) & Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs):
  Must upload medical school diplomas, board certifications, state licenses, and DEA certificates. Malpractice insurance is also a must.
• Nurse Practitioners (NPs):
  Often need to submit collaborative practice agreements (if required by state), board certification, RN and APRN licenses, and malpractice coverage.
• Physician Assistants (PAs):
  Should include supervising physician details (if applicable), NCCPA certification, state licensure, and malpractice insurance.
• Behavioral Health Providers (e.g., LCSWs, Psychologists):
  May need to provide clinical supervision documentation, state licensure, and mental health-specific credentials or certifications.
• Dentists (DDS/DMD):
  Required documents often include dental school diplomas, DEA certificates, and malpractice insurance, along with any specialty-specific certifications.

Take the Stress Out of CAQH Credentialing

Obtaining and maintaining a CAQH number is an essential step for healthcare providers looking to streamline their credentialing process and ensure quicker enrollment with insurance payers. While the process may seem overwhelming at first, following the clear steps outlined here can make it more manageable and less stressful. Remember to stay on top of your profile updates and attestations to avoid any interruptions in your credentialing status.

Need help with CAQH credentialing? (415) 508-6537. Contact our team for a free consultation