Business Practices
How Long Does Provider Credentialing Take? A 2026 Timeline
Credentialing a new provider can take 90 to 180 days. See a realistic timeline and how to get new clinicians billing sooner.
A realistic timeline
Commercial payer enrollment commonly takes 90 to 120 days, and some plans take longer. Medicare enrollment through PECOS is often faster when applications are complete.
Where delays happen
Incomplete CAQH profiles, expired attestations, missing malpractice documents, and slow follow-up are the most common causes.
Start early
Begin credentialing as soon as an offer letter is signed. Precision tracks every application and follows up weekly so new providers start seeing insured patients faster.
Related service
CredentialingCredentialing errors should never be the reason a practice cannot get paid.
This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change often — confirm current requirements with CMS, your payers, or counsel.