In accordance with Federal regulation, all prospective NIH personnel requiring a NIH Personal Identity Verification (PIV) badge or the NIH Restricted Local Access (RLA) badge must complete Badge Enrollment at an NIH PIV Card Issuance Facility (PCIF). Badge Enrollment includes the process of Identity Proofing, the capture of a photograph and the collection of fingerprints, which are all tied to the individual's PIV or RLA badge. Fingerprints collected are also used for running an FBI criminal history check required for the individual's Prescreening process. Applicants must wait until DPS sends a notification via email to the applicant to make a Badge Enrollment appointment. Visit our Badge Enrollment page for more information.
To find an NIH PCIF location, look under our Contact page for either the NIH Bethesda Main Campus or Other DPS Locations (PCIFs).
Please note: The individual's badge will not be issued until the fingerprint results have been returned from the FBI (which may take several days) and all Prescreening requirements have been completed favorably. Therefore, individuals cannot complete Badge Enrollment and Badge Issuance on the same day UNLESS they previously completed all Prescreening and fingerprinting requirements in advance.
If an individual cannot travel to an NIH PIV Card Issuance Facility (PCIF) immediately to complete their Badge Enrollment appointment, please visit the Fieldprint Fingerprint Service page.
What does an individual need to bring to their Badge Enrollment appointment?
1. Two (2) forms of valid government-issued identification, one of which contains a photo. Visit the FIPS 201-3 PDF to view a complete list of approved identification.
- Both forms of ID must be unexpired.
- Your identifying information (i.e. first name, middle name and last name, date of birth, etc.) on both forms of ID must match exactly (no exceptions).
- It is illegal to use a photograph of any government ID badge. Section 701 of Chapter 33 of Title 18 of the United States Code (USC) covers the unauthorized creation of engravings, photographs, prints, or impressions of official badges, identification cards, and other insignia.
- A mobile ID or a Mobile Driver's License (mDL) is NOT an acceptable form of ID for identity proofing/enrollment purposes under HSPD-12. Mobile IDs/mDLs are companions to the physical driver’s license; therefore, mobile IDs/mDLs are NOT replacements of the physical ID card nor counted as an original version of ID, so it is NOT an acceptable form of ID at DPS appointments.
- If you were recently married or underwent a legal name-change, you must present DPS with two forms of valid government issued identification showing your NEW legal name (DPS will not accept a marriage certificate as a form of acceptable identification).
2. For individuals completing Badge Enrollment and/or Badge Issuance/Authorization at the NIH Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland: Prior to your arrival to the NIH, please print a copy of your email showing confirmation of your appointment or have the email ready to be presented on your smart phone. Once you have arrived, present your email to the Security Guard or Police Officer at the NIH's Gateway Center or Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF) to ensure you are expedited through the security screening process. Failure to do so may result in delays or possible denial of entry to the NIH.
3. AOs: Please also understand the Visitor Access Management Initiative (VAMI) VisitNIH process if this pertains to your applicant.
Remote Enrollment Services
Remote enrollment badging services have been discontinued until further notice.
Building Access Control Changes
To enhance the safety and security of the interior of campus, the NIH will convert the following administrative buildings to a "weekend access control" schedule. Buildings 1, 2, 3, 12A, 15K, 16, 30T, 38, 45, 61, T40B and 82RA will transition to this new access control schedule. In order to enter from the exterior of a building, employees will need to use their NIH-issued identification badge with a card reader, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is the same procedure used to enter the main campus at any of our employee entrances.
Note: the only exceptions involve remote coordination of Badge PIN resets and Certificate renewals.
Individuals Working with Children
Individuals working with children under the age of 18 will have additional fingerprinting and investigation requirements as part of the mandatory background investigation. Take advantage of your enrollment appointment to complete these requirements on site. For more information, visit our Investigative Requirements for Individuals Working with Children page.
