How to Get a VA ID Badge
A resource for Applicants
Regardless of affiliation, everyone working within VA facilities or requiring access to VA information systems requires a credential. This page provides the necessary information Applicants need to successfully be issued a VA PIV Credential. |
CHECKLIST þ |
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| o | Has your PIV Sponsor initiated your PIV card request in the PIV Enrollment Portal? |
| You must be Sponsored by an official PIV Sponsor in the PIV Enrollment Portal in order to be issued a VA PIV credential. PIV Sponsors are usually, but not always, an HR Representative, Contracting Officer Representative (COR), or Program Director. Speak to these individuals to confirm your enrollment in the system PRIOR to visiting a PCI Facility. You will not be issued a VA PIV credential if you have not been Sponsored. | |
| o | Have you submitted fingerprints for a Special Agreement Check (SAC) within the last 120 days? |
| If your receiving a PIV or Non-PIV card then you must submit fingerprints to OPM for a SAC PRIOR to visiting a PCI Facility. If you are unsure where to do this, contact your local HR department. If you are unsure which type of VA PIV credential you'll be issued, contact your PIV Sponsor. | |
| o | Do you have two forms of ID? (acceptable forms of ID listed on Form I-9 and Identity Documentation Criteria) |
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| o | Have you scheduled an appointment with a badge office? |
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| o | Do you know your responsibilities as a VA ID Badge holder? |
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Three Steps to Obtain Your VA PIV Card
Follow the three main steps below to ensure a smooth PIV card issuance experience.
ACT NOW:
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The VA Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card is vital to protecting the security, identity and privacy of not only you as an individual, but of every single person at VA, VA as a whole, and the Veterans we serve.
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| Your PIV Sponsor- This is usually your supervisor, contracting officer or COTR. Your PIV Sponsor determines which type of credential you need based on your job duties and duration of required access. If you are not eligible for a PIV card, you must obtain either a non-PIV card or flash badge. To determine what card you require, refer to the VA Card Types and Requirements matrix. |
Start here |
STEP 1. REQUEST PIV CARD
u Coordinate with your PIV Sponsor to initiate or verify the status of your background investigation.
PIV card – You Must:
- Have at minimum a completed and successful recording of adjudicated Special Agreement Check (SAC) with no issues within 120 days of issuance – which includes a name and 10 fingerprint check – and an initiated National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI) or higher background investigation. In addition, your VA email account must be established or in the process of being established.
- Be employed with VA more than 6 months or more than 180 aggregate days in a one year period.
- Require access to VA facilities AND/OR information systems.
- Must present 2 forms of valid identification. Examplies can be found on the Form I-9 and Identification Documentation Criteria document
Non-PIV card – You Must:
- Have at minimum a completed and successfully adjudicated Special Agreement Check (SAC)- which includes a name and 10 fingerprint check.
- Be employed with VA for a period of 180 consecutive or aggregate days or less in a 365 day period, over a 3 year span.
Require access to VA facilities AND/OR information systems.
Must present 2 forms of valid ID found on the Form I-9 and Identification Documentation Criteria document
Flash badge – You Must:
- Have at minimum a completed identity verification using one form of government-issued photo ID.
- Be employed with VA for a period of 180 consecutive or aggregate days or less in a 365 day period.
- Only require common physical access.
u Contact your PIV Sponsor to initiate your PIV card request.
Your PIV Sponsor determines the type of credential you need, approves your PIV card request, validates your identity and initiates your request in the PIV system.
u Work with your Sponsor to complete the online application form.
The Registrar verifies your identity and verifies your background investigation status in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) database. To proceed with issuing a PIV card, your Special Agreement Check (SAC) needs to be favorably adjudicated and your National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI) or higher background investigation must be, at minimum, “initiated” in the OPM system.
STEP 2. ENROLL AT BADGING OFFICE
u Schedule an enrollment appointment at your local badging office once your background investigation status has been verified.
- Important note: Bring two acceptable forms of ID to your appointment to prove your identity. See I-9 form for a list of acceptable forms of ID. Both documents must be original (not copies) and current (not expired). You WILL NOT be issued a badge with out meeting this requirement.
- Important note: Make sure your name on at least one of these documents is your current legal name and matches exactly the name entered into the PIV system.
- The Registrar authenticates your identity, scans your ID documents, and takes your photograph and fingerprints.
The Issuer approves the card request, prints and encodes the PIV card, and informs you when it’s ready for pick-up.
STEP 3. ACTIVATE PIV CARD
u Make an appointment at your local badging office to pick up and activate your card. Bring two acceptable forms of ID to your appointment.
During activation, the Issuer scans your fingerprint and makes sure it matches the information on the card, validates your identity, and loads the electronic credentials (certificates) onto the card’s chip. The Issuer then officially releases the card to you.
u Set a personal identification number (PIN) that is 6 digits and meets complexity requirements. Then accept responsibility for the card.
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What are the Benefits of Personal Identity Verification Cards?
