Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness
How To Get a VA PIV Card
Regardless of affiliation, everyone working within VA facilities or requiring access to VA information systems requires a VA PIV Card. This page provides the necessary information Applicants need to successfully be issued a VA PIV Card.
VA PIV Card Process
1. Have you been sponsored in USAccess?
You must be sponsored by an official USAccess Sponsor in the USAccess PIV Portal to complete an enrollment for a PIV card. A VA USAccess Sponsor holds the following position for the identified Applicant affiliation: For VA employees, a Human Resources (HR) representative or designated supervisor; for VA contractors, the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR); and for VA affiliates, the program coordinator, authorized supervisor of a specific program, or their authorized administrator.
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 Card if you have not been sponsored.
2. Do you have two forms of ID?
- Acceptable forms of ID listed on FIPS 201-3 and Identity Documentation Matrix.
- The names must match on both identity documents.
- The name must be identical to what the PIV Sponsor has entered in the USAccess PIV Enrollment Portal.
- The identity documents must be valid and unexpired.
3. Have you scheduled an appointment with a PIV Badge Office?
- To locate a PIV Badge Office click here
- You must bring two valid, unexpired forms of ID with you to your appointment.
Three Steps to Obtain Your VA PIV Card
Follow the three main steps below to ensure a smooth PIV card issuance experience.
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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, the entire organization, and, most importantly, the Veterans we serve.
To be eligible as a PIV Card applicant:
- Be a New VA employee, current cardholder, contractor, or affiliate requiring access to VA facilities or Information Technology (IT) resources.
Your USAccess Sponsor — For VA employees usually a Human Resources (HR) representative or designated supervisor; for VA contractors, the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR); and for VA affiliates, the program coordinator, authorized supervisor of a specific program, or their authorized administrator. Your PIV Card 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 PIV-I Card or Flash Card. To determine what PIV Card you require, refer to the VA PIV Card Types and Requirements matrix.
Start Here
STEP 1. REQUEST A PIV CARD
Coordinate with your PIV Sponsor to initiate or verify the status of your background investigation.
PIV Card — You Must …
- Meet the minimum requirement for PIV Credential eligibility determination, that is a completed and favorably adjudicated Tier 1 investigation, formerly called a National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI).
- Have your VA email account established.
- Require access to VA facilities AND/OR information systems.
PIV-I Card — You Must …
- Have at minimum a completed and successfully adjudicated Special Agreement Check (SAC) — which includes a name and 10 fingerprint check.
- Have your VA email account established.
- Require access to VA facilities AND/OR information systems.
- Have fingerprints taken.
Work with your USAccess Sponsor to complete the required forms. The Registrar will verify your identity. Then a USAccess Adjudicator will verify your background investigation status in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) database. To proceed with issuing a USAccess PIV Card, your Special Agreement Check (SAC) needs to be favorably adjudicated and meet the minimum requirement for PIV Credential eligibility determination, that is a completed and favorably adjudicated Tier 1 investigation, formerly called a National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI).
STEP 2. ENROLL AT A PIV BADGE OFFICE
Review the USAccess Appointment Scheduler Guide to make sure that you select the correct appointment type.
Schedule an enrollment appointment by using the USAccess Scheduler once you have been sponsored in the USAccess system.
Important note: Bring two acceptable forms of valid, unexpired IDs to your appointment to prove your identity. See FIPS 201-3 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 PIV Card without meeting this requirement.
Important note: Make sure your name on both of these documents is your current legal name and matches exactly the name entered into the Credential Management System (USAccess).
The Registrar will authenticate your identity, scan your ID documents, and capture your biometrics (photograph and fingerprints), and print the PIV Card.
STEP 3. ACTIVATE THE PIV CARD
The Activator will activate the PIV Card and you will set a personal identification number (PIN) that is 6 digits and meets complexity requirements. You will then accept the PIV Card and the responsibility for the safeguarding of the USAccess PIV Card.
To schedule an activation or card pick up appointment, review the USAccess Appointment Scheduler Guide to make sure that you select the correct appointment type in the USAccess Scheduler.
