The USAccess Program was established to provide Federal agencies with a complete solution for issuing a common federal credential (called the PIV credential) to employees and contractors. HSPD-12 requires that all federal agencies issue interoperable credentials to all federal employees and contractors. By issuing USAccess credentials, the Federal government can better protect its employees and contractors by providing an environment where their identity is safeguarded while maintaining the integrity of critical federal government technology assets.
This page explains generally how Applicants will get USAccess credentials once their agency has determined they are eligible to receive them. The timing of when Applicants are identified to receive a credential is managed by individual participating agencies, not the GSA MSO. If Applicants have questions as to when they will be receiving their credentials, they should contact their supervisor for further information about their agency’s program.
How To Get A Credential
Steps to Achieve
an Active Credential
(select for full image)
The USAccess Program has developed an integrated, end-to-end system to automate and ease the process of issuing a credential to Applicants.
Step 1: Applicant data is entered into the USAccess system.
Applicant data such as name, address, date of birth, employee type, and Emergency Response Official (ERO) status is entered into the system by the sponsoring Agency. This completes the Applicant sponsorship record in the USAccess system.
Step 2: Applicant receives an email invitation to enroll.
The Applicant receives an email invitation to enroll in the USAccess program. The email lists the Applicant’s name as it appears in the Sponsorship record and asks the Applicant to verify that his or her name is correct. Next, it describes how identity documents must match the name. A link is provided to a document outlining the proper forms of identification that Applicants must bring with them to their enrollment appointment. (List of Acceptable Forms of ID). If the Applicant notices that the name is incorrect and does not match any of their other identity documents, the Applicant should contact the agency Sponsor before going to enroll.
The email also provides instructions on how to make an appointment to enroll for the credential at a USAccess Center. A link is provided to the GSA Online Scheduling System (if the agency is using) which is the Web site Applicants use to make appointments at USAccess Centers.
Step 3: Applicant schedules an Enrollment appointment online.
Using the GSA Online Scheduling System, the Applicant makes an appointment to enroll for the USAccess credential. The Applicant must first create an account in the scheduling system, and then make an appointment at a nearby center. For the applicant to find an available center close by, visit Find USAccess Centers. Account set up typically takes less than 5 minutes.
Once the appointment is made, the Applicant will receive a confirmation email confirming the date and time of the appointment.
Before traveling to a USAccess Credentialing Center for an appointment, the GSA MSO encourages Applicants to check the Advisory section located near the top of the USAccess Website Home Page, http://www.fedidcard.gov . Occasionally the system may be experiencing difficulties or a center may be closed and the Applicant’s appointment may be affected. Applicants can subscribe to the advisory alerts by completing the Subscribe to USAccess Alerts form.
Service Advisories are updated three times daily, so Applicants should check for updates before traveling. If an appointment is canceled by the center, an email will be sent to the Applicant noting the appointment was canceled and requests the Applicant make a new appointment.
Step 4: Applicant attends Enrollment appointment as scheduled.
During the Enrollment appointment, the Applicant must present proper identification documents (List of Acceptable Forms of ID) to the Registrar at the center, have a photo taken, and have fingerprints captured using an electronic fingerprint capturing system. Provided there are no issues during the enrollment process, this appointment typically takes 10-15 minutes.
If the Applicant notices that any information in their record is incorrect prior to the appointment, the Applicant must contact the agency Sponsor (see FAQs on how to locate your Sponsor). The Registrar is not able to make changes to Applicant Sponsorship record during the enrollment process.
Step 5: Agency completes background checks and approves Applicant.
Following a successful Enrollment appointment, a background check is conducted on the Applicant by the Sponsoring agency. Once completed, the agency Adjudicator will record the adjudication decision for the Applicant in the USAccess system. When adjudication is complete and approved, the applicant’s credential is printed and shipped to the pick up location.
Step 6: Applicant receives email that credential is ready for pick up and to make an appointment to activate the credential.
When the Applicant’s credential is printed and delivered, the Applicant will receive an email explaining where to pick up the credential. The Applicant will also be prompted to make an appointment in the GSA Online Scheduling system to activate the credential.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This email may also contain the temporary one time use Password that is needed to activate the credential. Applicants must bring this password with them to their appointments, or they may experience difficulties during Activation.
Step 7: Applicant schedules an Activation appointment online.
Using the GSA Online Scheduling System, the Applicant makes an appointment to activate their USAccess credential. The Applicant logs on to the GSA Scheduling System with the account user name and password. If the Applicant cannot remember the user name and password created to make an enrollment appointment, a new account can be created. Once logged on, the Applicant can make an appointment at the center listed in their Credential Ready for Pick up email. Account set up typically takes less than 5 minutes.
Once the appointment is made, the Applicant will receive a confirmation email confirming the date and time of the appointment.
NOTE: If your agency has deployed Light Activation stations, you have the opportunity to use one of those locations to have your Credential activated. The GSA Online Scheduling System is not used to make appointments at Light Activation stations. Please contact your agency’s program management office or check your agency’s intranet for information about Light Activation stations for available your use.
Step 8: Applicant attends appointment and activates credential.
The Applicant visits the Activation station, and activates the credential using one of two methods, Attended or Unattended Activation. Attended activation is performed by the Activator. Applicants are encouraged to attempt activation unassisted. Please see the Unattended Credential Activities Guide for more infomation on how to complete these steps.
During activation, the Applicant is prompted for their temporary password. This password is contained in the "Credential is Ready for Pick Up" email sent to the Applicant. The Applicant’s credential is then “personalized” with security certificates and the Applicant is prompted to create a PIN for the USAccess credential. Applicants will also be prompted to digitally sign a USAccess Privacy Statement that explains the USAccess credential holder responsibilities. Provided there are no issues in activating the credential, this appointment can take as little as 10 minutes.
As a reminder, Applicants should check the Advisory section located on the home page of this Web site before traveling to the USAccess Credentialing Center to see if there are any service advisories that would affect the appointment. If an Applicant intends on visiting an Agency hosted Light Activation station, you should consult your HSPD-12 point of contact (email or webpage) for daily hours of operation.
Step 9: Credential is now active and ready to use.
USAccess credential holders can now use the credential and should care for their USAccess credential as they would any other valuable form of personal identification. For guidance on how to care for the credential, as well as what information is stored on the credential, holders can view the Your Credential page and the About the USAccess Credential Guide located on this Web site.