In order to either enroll for or activate a USAccess credential, generally Applicants make an appointment to visit a USAccess Credentialing Center using the GSA Online Scheduling System. Additionally, this information is applicable to credential holders who need to update their certificates on their active credential. There are over 300 USAccess Centers located around the country. Visit Find USAccess Centers to locate a center near you.
The GSA Online Scheduling System is a publicly accessible web site that is used to schedule and manage appointments at USAccess Centers. Applicants will receive the link to the GSA Online Scheduling System in the emails that are sent to them as part of the credentialing process and update process. View Get A Credential section for credentialing process details.
Some agencies have implemented the Light Activation or Light Credentialing Solution (LCS) services enabling the footprint of locations to expand where Applicants may enroll for and activate their PIV Credential. If this service is available in your Agency, you will not use the GSA Online Scheduling System to make an appointment. Check with your Sponsor, HSPD-12 program office or on your agency’s Intranet to determine where Light Solutions are in use at your agency.
How to Make an Appointment at a Credentialing Center
For complete instructions on how to make an appointment using the GSA Online Scheduling System, please see the Making Appointments in GSA Online Scheduling guide.
NOTE: If this is your first use of the GSA Online Scheduling System, you are prompted to first create an account before making an appointment at a USAccess Center. To create an account, click on the “Users Click Here to Register” link located on the home page of the GSA Online Scheduling System web site.
Lost or Forgotten Passwords to GSA Online Scheduling System
If you have lost or forgotten your Username or Password for the GSA Online Scheduling system, create a new account in the GSA Online Scheduling System.
To create a new account, click on the “Users Click Here to Register” link located on the home page of the GSA Online Scheduling System web site. You must start with a completely new user name and password.
How to Make an Appointment at a Light Solution Station
Agencies that have opted to implement the Light Activation or Light Credentialing Solution (LCS) may post station locations on their Intranet or communicate that information to you in an email. Alternatively, contact your Sponsor, Agency HSPD-12 or identity management program office for further information about availability of the Light Solutions.
What to Bring to Enrollment Appointments
To enroll for a USAccess credential, Applicants must present two forms of identification that will be scanned into your Enrollment record. Bring documents that can be scanned. The primary form of identification must be one of the following unexpired documents:
- U.S. Passport
- Driver's License or State issued ID with photo
- Military ID
- Military Dependent ID
- Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC)
The secondary form of identification can be an additional primary form of identification, or one of the Secondary forms of identification described on the List of Acceptable Forms of Identification guide. These documents must also be unexpired.
Some examples from the list include:
- U.S. Social Security Card
- Birth Certificate (original or certified copy)
- ID card issued by federal, state, or local government agency
- School ID with photograph
- Voter's registration card
Note: If you do not have at least one form of Primary ID and another secondary form of ID, you will not be able to enroll for your credential.
What to Bring to Activation Appointments
For Activation appointments, bring the temporary password contained in the email sent to you informing you that your credential was ready for pick up. It is possible that you may receive an email without the temporary password. This does not prevent you from activating your credential but without the password, you must activate your credential with the assistance of an Activator. This is called Attended Activation.
Using Attended or Unattended Activation (self-service), you are prompted to enter this password when inserting your credential into the card reader. You are then prompted to submit your fingerprint using an electronic fingerprint scanner, and then asked to create a personal PIN for their credential. Frequently, the PIN is required when the credential is used for access to online government systems.
Rescheduling Appointments at Credentialing Centers
If you need to reschedule or modify an existing appointment, you have the ability to do so within the GSA Online Scheduling System.
To modify or reschedule an appointment:
- Log in to GSA Online Scheduling System
- Click on My Appointments tab
- Select Modify to make changes to the appointment
- The calendar screen will appear. Select the new day or time of the appointment and click NEXT on the bottom right hand corner of the screen. A new confirmation email will be sent to the email listed when creating the GSA Online Scheduling System account. This cancels the previously scheduled appointment.
For complete instructions on how to use the GSA Online Scheduling System, please see the Making Appointments in GSA Online Scheduling guide.
How to Cancel an Appointment at Credentialing Centers
If you must cancel an appointment, you have the ability to do so within the GSA Online Scheduling System.
To cancel an Appointment:
- Log in to GSA Online Scheduling System
- Click on My Appointments tab
- Select Cancel to delete appointment
- Click OK to confirm the appointment should be canceled
You will receive an email confirming that the appointment was canceled. The email is sent to the email address you listed when creating your GSA Online Scheduling System account.
For complete instructions on how to use the GSA Online Scheduling System, please see the Making Appointments in GSA Online Scheduling guide.
Check Status of Your USAccess Credential
If you want to know the status of your USAccess PIV Credential, contact your agency’s program management office or the person who sponsored you for the PIV Credential. Your Sponsor's contact information was listed in the Sponsorship Complete email you received telling you to enroll for your credential. Check your Agency’s Intranet for information about your program management office.
If you do not know who your Sponsor is, contact your Agency's Security Officer. Either of these people can run a report called the Applicant Status Report to check the status of credentials.
If you have questions on when you need to enroll for your credential, consult with your supervisor.