For many commercial health plans, a provider’s CAQH profile is the starting point for credentialing. If the profile is incomplete, out of date or not re-attested, applications stall, and some payers will not move forward at all. Keeping it accurate is one of the simplest ways a practice can avoid credentialing delays.
CAQH’s provider profile tool, long known as ProView, is now called the CAQH Provider Data Portal, and in 2026 CAQH itself rebranded as DataSpring, powered by CAQH. Existing logins and profiles carried over. This guide covers how to set up a profile, what re-attestation means and how to keep the data current. Portal screens and terminology change from time to time, so always follow the current instructions in the portal itself.
Key takeaways
- The CAQH Provider Data Portal stores a provider’s credentialing information once so participating health plans can access it.
- Profiles must be re-attested every 120 days (180 days for providers practicing in Illinois), even if nothing has changed, or payers may treat them as inactive.
- Providers must authorize each payer to view their profile.
- Expiring documents (licenses, DEA, malpractice insurance) are the most common cause of an outdated profile.
What the CAQH Provider Data Portal Is
CAQH operates a shared database of provider information used by many health plans and other organizations for credentialing and directory purposes. Instead of filling in the same details for every payer, a provider maintains one profile, and authorized organizations access it. The service is free for providers.
Setting Up a Profile
1. Get access
Providers usually receive a CAQH Provider ID when a participating health plan adds them to the roster, or they can self-register through the portal. The provider (or an authorized practice manager) then creates login credentials.
2. Gather information first
- Personal and identification details, including NPI
- Education, training and board certification
- State licenses, DEA and controlled-substance registrations
- Practice locations, hours, tax ID and group affiliations
- Hospital affiliations and admitting arrangements
- Malpractice insurance and claims history
- Work history with explanations of gaps
- Disclosure question answers
3. Complete every section
Fill in each section carefully. Use the same name, addresses and identifiers that appear on the NPI registry and payer applications; inconsistencies cause follow-up questions.
4. Upload supporting documents
Upload current copies of licenses, certificates, DEA registration, malpractice face sheet, CV and any other documents requested. Check expiry dates as you go.
5. Authorize health plans
Choose which health plans can view the profile. Many practices authorize all participating plans to avoid delays when a new payer application is submitted.
6. Attest
Review the profile and attest that the information is accurate. The profile is not usable by payers until it has been attested.
Re-Attestation: The Step Practices Miss
Providers must confirm their profile every 120 days (180 days in Illinois), even when nothing has changed. If it lapses, health plans may see the profile as expired, which can delay new applications and recredentialing. Practical tips:
- Put every provider’s next attestation date in a shared calendar with reminders.
- Assign one person to monitor attestation status across all providers.
- Re-attest after any significant change, not only when the deadline arrives.
Keeping Data Current
Update the profile whenever something changes, including:
- A license, DEA registration or malpractice policy is renewed
- A practice location opens, closes or changes hours
- The provider joins or leaves a group
- Hospital affiliations change
- Board certification is earned or renewed
Accurate data also supports provider directory accuracy, which health plans are increasingly expected to maintain.
Common CAQH Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Payer says profile is incomplete | Missing section or document | Review every section, upload missing items, re-attest |
| Payer cannot see profile | Plan not authorized | Update authorizations |
| Profile shown as expired | Re-attestation lapsed | Re-attest and confirm with the payer |
| Application questions about gaps | Work history gaps not explained | Add explanations with dates |
| Mismatched address or name | Different data across NPI, CAQH and application | Align all sources |
Who Should Manage CAQH Profiles?
Providers are responsible for the accuracy of their profiles, but many practices assign a practice manager or credentialing coordinator to maintain them, with the provider reviewing and attesting. Whoever owns it, the key is a single tracker of attestation dates and expiring documents across all providers. For the wider process, see our provider credentialing guide.
Struggling to keep provider profiles current? Tell us about your providers and payers, and we will talk through how to organize the work.
Learn more about our provider credentialing support.
Frequently Asked Questions
01Is CAQH ProView the same as the CAQH Provider Data Portal?
Yes. ProView is the earlier name for CAQH’s provider profile tool, now called the CAQH Provider Data Portal. CAQH now operates as DataSpring, powered by CAQH. Many payers and practices still use the old names.
02How often do I need to re-attest my CAQH profile?
Every 120 days (180 days for providers practicing in Illinois). Check the portal for your current attestation deadline, and re-attest sooner after significant changes.
03Does it cost anything to use CAQH?
Maintaining a provider profile is free for providers. The costs are borne by participating organizations.
04Can a practice manager update a provider’s CAQH profile?
Yes. Practice managers or credentialing staff can be given access to maintain profiles, although the provider remains responsible for the accuracy of what is attested.
05Does every payer use CAQH?
No. Many commercial plans do, but some payers and government programs use their own applications. Medicare enrollment, for example, is handled through CMS systems.
Sources
- DataSpring: CAQH rebrands as DataSpring and information for clinicians
- American Dental Association: credentialing service and 120-day re-attestation
