Campus Access and Security

NOTE: Effective July 21, 2014, under the REAL ID Act of 2005, agencies, including NIST, can only accept a state-issued driver's license or identification card from states that are REAL ID compliant or have an extension. See the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) site for the current compliance list. 

NIST currently accepts other forms of federally issued identification in lieu of a state-issued driver's license, such as a valid passport, passport card, DOD's Common Access Card (CAC), Veterans ID, Federal Agency HSPD-12 IDs, Military Dependents ID, Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC), and TSA Trusted Traveler ID. 

In addition, The Police Services Group may mirror procedures in use by the DOC Office of Security and Department of Homeland Security/Federal Protective Services. Visitors with state licenses not in compliance with the REAL ID requirements may be admitted to campus provided the sponsoring NIST employee meets the visitor at the Visitor 's Center on arrival and provides escort while the visitor is on site.  

Foreign Nationals: 

• Only NIST employees may sponsor or host a foreign national visitor or guest. 
• Foreign nationals visiting a NIST location for three (3) days or less, or attending a conference of five (5) days or less must be pre-registered in NIST's visitor registration system at least three (3) business days in advance. 
• Foreign nationals who will be visiting NIST for more than three (3) days must be pre-registered in the associates system at least 30 calendar days prior to the arrival. Sponsor must complete citizenship information during the registration to ensure the form will automatically be routed to the appropriate offices. 
• Foreign nationals must present a valid passport (original only) or alien registration card (green card) upon arrival.

Privacy: 

NIST collects the name, date of birth, and photo image of individuals (e.g., from I.D. or in person) to control and track access to NIST facilities and sites to issue temporary IDs and verify frequency of access.

Only authorized NIST staff will have access to the information provided, which will be protected against unauthorized access or disclosure through technical, physical, and administrative controls. Information collected from individuals will be retained according to the NARA General Records Schedule for this type of information.

Individuals may decline to prove the required identification and data elements, however failure to do so will result in NIST denying the individual access to the facilities. The failure to provide accurate information may delay or prevent you from receiving access. Submitting requested personal information and ID constitutes your consent to the use of the information for the purposes stated.