Every provider listed on BehavioralHealthGuide.org has been verified against public federal and state data. Here's exactly what we check, where the data comes from, and how often we refresh it.
What we verify
- NPI registration. Every provider must have an active National Provider Identifier in the CMS NPI Registry. No NPI, no listing.
- Active state license. We cross-reference each provider's license number against their state licensing board's public records.
- License status. Expired, suspended, or revoked licenses are flagged automatically and the listing is removed within 30 days.
- Specialty taxonomy. We use the NPI taxonomy code to categorize providers by their actual credentialed specialty, not self-reported claims.
Our data sources
- CMS NPI Registry (npiregistry.cms.gov) — federal source for all provider identifiers and taxonomy codes.
- 50 state licensing boards — each state maintains a public license verification system. We pull from each state's official source.
- SAMHSA Treatment Locator (findtreatment.gov) — federal database of licensed substance use and mental health treatment facilities.
- HRSA for federally qualified health centers and Health Professional Shortage Area data.
Refresh cadence
- NPI data: refreshed monthly from the CMS weekly file.
- State license verification: rolling 90-day cycle — each provider re-verified at least once per quarter.
- Provider-claimed updates: applied immediately upon verification.
- Last full sync date is shown on the homepage trust section and updated automatically.
What triggers automatic removal
- License status changes to expired, suspended, or revoked
- NPI deactivation (provider has retired, deceased, or otherwise withdrawn)
- Provider opt-out request (any provider can request removal at any time)
- State board disciplinary action that makes the license inactive
What we don't claim to verify
It's important to be clear about what our verification does not guarantee:
- Quality of care. A valid license means a provider has met state minimum standards — not that they're the right fit for you.
- Current acceptance of new patients. The "accepting new patients" status is self-reported by providers and may lag behind reality. Always confirm directly.
- Insurance acceptance in real-time. Insurance networks change frequently. We display the most recent data available, but always verify with the provider's office.
- Specific treatment outcomes or therapeutic effectiveness for any individual.
How to report inaccurate information
If you spot incorrect information on a provider profile — wrong address, wrong specialty, license status that doesn't match what you see on a state board — please tell us. Use the "Report inaccurate info" link on any profile, or email corrections to corrections@behavioralhealthguide.org. We respond within 5 business days and update verified corrections within 10.
Read our full editorial standards and our policy on privacy and data use.