Common Access Card (CAC) Developer Support
Developer Support Material
CAC Developer Kit (CDK) - This CDK contains documentation and software needed to interact with the CAC's machine-readable media smart card chip, magnetic stripe, and barcodes. The kit is designed for developers of client-side workstation applications using the CAC data and services, and developers of card-side applets and middleware. It includes technical information on data content and formats, card applets, middleware, APIs, and smart card readers. It also includes procedural information on how to obtain support and approvals for user-developed components. It is assembled for distribution on compact disk and is included with each shipment of test CACs. It is also available for download as a compressed zip file.
- For access to CDK, please contact CACSupport@mail.mil
CAC Other Information
Technical Implementation Guide for CAC PIV Endpoint (as of April 2010)
Technical Implementation Guide for CAC PIV Transitional (as of November 2006)
Technical Notification of CAC 2.6.2.b Applet Structure (as of June 2009)
Latest CAC card specification
- See CDK
Listing of all CAC platforms/configurations (as of June 2016)
CAC middleware requirements (as of May 2011)
CAC smart card reader requirements (as of August 2007)
Test Material
Which DoD test infrastructure is best for my development/testing needs?
Requesting Test Software PKI Certificates
Requesting Test CACs
Links to DoD Component PKI/PKE Websites and Subject Matter Experts
- DoD PKE (contact: dodpke@mail.mil)
- US Air Force (contact: afpki.helpdesk@us.af.mil)
- US Navy (contact: itac@infosec.navy.mil)
- US Army (contact: netcom-9sc.om-iacacpki.helpdesk@mail.mil)
- US Marine Corps (contact: RAOperations@usmc.mil)
Trouble with the CAC?
Anyone with questions or inquiries, and
anyone encountering problems with the CAC smart card functions,
applets, or middleware should outline the issues in an e-mail
to DMDC at:
CACSupport@mail.mil