​​​​​​​​​For Administrators - Understanding DPSAC Services

Badge Services

Please read our Badge Maintenance Checklist and check out the tabs on the left to read up on important information on possessing a government PIV credential, tips on badge maintenance, and how to troubleshoot if issues arise. Please note: It is illegal to take 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.

If this is your applicant's first time receiving their NIH ID badge, please have the applicant contact the CIT IT Support to help access their account and to login to their computer for the first time. Once the applicant submits a ticket to the CIT IT Support, it will be assigned to an IT Support specific to their Institute, Center or Office (ICO).  

If an individual is renewing their digital certificates, please have them bring their computer to campus, as the individual will need to test and confirm their login and connection to the NIH VPN with their new digital certificates. If the individual runs into any issues with their new digital certificates, they may need to contact the CIT IT Support for further assistance.

What Our Access Control & Badge Issuance Office Handles:

  • Provide authorized access to NIH facilities to personnel who have successfully completed the personal identity verification (PIV) process. 
    • Individuals will need to speak with their Supervisor or Administrative Officer (AO) for assistance with their building access needs. The Supervisor or AO needs to program the individual's PIV card and get it to work with the card reader that controls access to their building or laboratory. NED Sponsorship must also be completed by an AO first. 
  • Print and issue ID badges.
  • Add and update LWS operators.
  • Reset Personal Identification Numbers (PINs). Your PIN is used to log onto your NIH computer. [Please look under 'PIN Resets' on the left to learn more about resetting your PIN at a 'Lifecycle Work Station (LWS)'.]
  • Renew PIV Card certificates. Your certificates are used to authorize logical access to multiple systems on the NIH network. [Please look under 'Renewing Digital Certificates & ID Badges' on the left to learn more.]​​ 

Badge Types DPSAC Does NOT Process:

PIV/RLA Badge Rules:

  • PIV/RLA badges are government property and must be always secured from unauthorized access.
  • NEVER share your PIV Badge or let others use it to access facilities/doors or information systems.
  • NEVER share your PIN. 
  • If you leave the NIH workforce, you must return your PIV/RLA card to your Administrative Officer (AO) or DPSAC, as it is government property. [Please look under 'Returning Your Badge When Leaving NIH' on the left to learn more.]

Contact Information, Hours and Locations:


​Your NIH ID Badge is the property of the U.S. Government.  Counterfeiting, altering, or misusing violates Section 499, title 18 of the U.S. Code which states:

“Whoever falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, alters, or tampers with any naval, military, or official pass or permit, issued by or under the authority of the United States, or with intent to defraud uses or possesses any such pass or permit, or personates or falsely represents himself to be or not to be a person to whom such pass or permit has been duly issued, or willfully allows any other person to have or use any such pass or permit, issued for his use alone, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.”​