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Are there any items that are specifically prohibited on the NIH campus?

Firearms, explosives, archery equipment, dangerous weapons, knives with blades over 2 1/2 inches, narcotics, controlled substances, alcoholic beverages and open containers of alcohol are examples of prohibited items on the NIH campus.

Items may not be prohibited from being carried in the state of Maryland, such as pepper spray for personal protection, a pocket knife with a blade over two-and-a-half inches or a handgun with a current and legal concealed weapons permit; however, these same items are prohibited on Federal properties. The Department of Homeland Security, National Protection and Programs Directorate Federal Protective Service Directive Number 15.9.3.1, Revision 1, dated 5-16-13 is used as a guideline by HHS. In this directive, a dangerous weapon is defined as: A weapon, device, instrument, material or substance (animate or inanimate), that is used for or is readily capable of causing a death or serious bodily injury, excluding a pocket knife with a blade of less than two-and-a-half inches in length.

Drugs prohibited by law, on campus, are outlined in the Controlled Substances Act 21 or the United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 841 -- 845 .

Does the NIH conduct random screenings and inspections on the main campus?

1. What are random screenings?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Police will perform screenings of all common areas and all unattended vehicles in parking areas on the Bethesda campus. The areas will be selected at random.

2. Why are random screenings conducted?

It is a federal requirement by the Director of the Department of Homeland Security. Additionally, recent active shooter incidents around the country and in the Washington DC metro area by trusted insiders necessitate further security measures on campus.

3. What makes the random screenings, "random"?

All common and vehicle parking areas are assigned a number. The NIH Police will use a random number generator to select numbers from this range of numbers to determine the areas to be inspected.

4. What are the inspectors looking for?

The inspections will be conducted to detect for prohibited items on campus. These inspections may be carried out by the NIH Police K-9 teams. For a detailed list of prohibited items, please visit: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nppd-fps-prohibited-items-program-directive-15.9.3.1-rev-1_0.pdf

5. Will random screenings affect my commute?

No. Random inspections will be conducted on unattended parked vehicles and in common areas. Employees and valid access badge holders will not be stopped at employee gates for random screenings.

6. Under what authority will random screenings be performed?

The NIH police will perform random inspections under the authority of the Director, NIH.

7. Will the inspectors enter my vehicle?

Under most circumstances, no. Officers will look into the vehicle(s) to ascertain if prohibited items are in plain sight. Specially trained K-9 units will be used to determine if there are scents indicating the presence of prohibited items. Electronic devices will also be utilized to determine if those substances are present. Redundant tests will be conducted to determine the accuracy of positive indicators. The experience of the officers and their canines, weather conditions and cargo will also be taken into consideration before making a determination if a vehicle needs to be accessed.

8. What happens if my vehicle tests positive for prohibited items?

Under rare circumstances, "false positives" occur. For example, when yard fertilizer spills in a vehicle. If a vehicle tests positive, the NIH Police shall conduct further screening tests to determine if the initial results were valid and a vehicle needs to be accessed.

9. Who is the owner of this process?

The NIH Chief of Police.

Are all tobacco products prohibited on the NIH Bethesda Campus?

Yes. The use of all tobacco products is prohibited on the NIH Bethesda Campus. This includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco (“snuff”), and any other tobacco products. The use of these products in private vehicles located on the NIH Bethesda Campus is also prohibited. For more information, please review HHS Policy Issuance regarding Tobacco Use.

Is medical marijuana allowed at the National Institutes of Health?

Possession of marijuana is prohibited at National Institutes of Health (NIH) campuses, in its facilities and on its grounds. Persons are not allowed to bring medical marijuana onto the NIH campuses, facilities and grounds, even if they are enrolled in a state-approved medical marijuana program or have a prescription for medical marijuana use. State laws governing the use of marijuana do not apply at the NIH. Marijuana is an illegal, Schedule I controlled substance under the Federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 801(c)(c)(10).

Does the NIH conduct vehicle inspections at the perimeter of campus? In underground parking garages?

Yes. Vehicle inspections are conducted at the perimeter of campus. Commercial vehicles and non-commercial (private) vehicles operated by individuals without a valid NIH ID Badge are required to go through security screening. Commercial deliveries to the campus undergo security screening at the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF) on Rockville Pike. Employee vehicles will not be inspected under most threat levels as long as the employee presents a valid NIH ID Badge.

The greatest potential for damage and loss of life is from a vehicle bomb in close proximity to a building, particularly in underground or adjacent garages. Vehicles screened at the perimeter are given a time-stamped inspection pass. This pass allows vehicles to avoid additional security screening at any underground parking garage if they arrive within a 5-minute ‘grace period.' Employee vehicles not inspected at the perimeter, however, are required to undergo security inspections prior to entering underground parking garages.

What is the process for facilitating large groups of people entering campus for conferences or special events?

For visitors attending large events on campus, the location of security screening and badging is conducted at the perimeter of campus versus at the buildings.

For visitors entering in a vehicle, they will be screened and badged at the perimeter while their vehicle is being inspected. If a visitor arrives in a commercial vehicle, the visitors and their vehicle must be screened at the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF). Taxis are allowed to enter via the NIH Gateway Drive entrance.

For pedestrians coming from the Metro, they will be screened and badged at the Gateway Visitor Center instead of the building entrance.

At the Gateway Visitor Center, the NIH has the ability and capacity to process and screen a large number of individuals for large events in a short period of time.

The NIH Police continue to offer customized screening for large events by going offsite to hotels and pre-screening the shuttle bus and the passengers to expedite the process.

Conferences, large groups of visitors, and special events are being coordinated through the NIH Division of Police Special Events Coordinator and NIH Events Management. For more information, contact the NIH Division of Police Special Events Unit at 301-496-3021.

Will other U.S. Federal agency IDs work at the card readers?

No. The Perimeter Security System card readers are not capable of electronically recognizing other U.S. Federal Department or Agency ID badges at this time. Only NIH-issued badges have the capability to be electronically verified and allow perimeter access. In select cases, personnel from other HHS agencies with an enduring requirement for NIH access verified by a sponsoring Institute/Center will be permitted perimeter access.

Will the NIH accept state driver's licenses that are non-compliant with the REAL ID Act? How do I find out if my driver's license is REAL ID compliant?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has delayed REAL ID enforcement Until May 7, 2025. Click here to read the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statement on extension of the REAL ID Deadline.

Beginning May 7, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will no longer accept identification credentials that fail to meet the minimum requirements and issuance standards for federal recognition per the REAL ID Act of 2005. The Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and prohibits federal agencies, such as NIH, from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards that do not meet these standards.

Under the REAL ID ACT, NIH may only accept state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards that meet the standards required by the ACT to access our facilities. Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will also be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. Most EDLs do not contain the star marking and this is acceptable. The EDLs do however state they are enhanced driver's licenses and have an American flag either overlapping the picture or at the bottom right-hand corner.

Please visit the Approved Forms of Identification page to view what forms of ID visitors should bring to enter NIH facilities. Visitors should bring the ID they used when they completed the pre-registration process. Visitors 17 years of age and younger are not required to provide photo identification in order to obtain a visitor pass to enter NIH facilities.

Can I bring my pet to campus?

No. Under Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart C, Section 3.42(b), “A person may not bring on the enclave any cat, dog, or other animal except for authorized purposes. This prohibition does not apply to domestic pets at living quarters or to the exercise of these pets under leash or other appropriate restraints. The use of a dog by a handicapped person to assist that person is authorized.”

Why does the NIH have enhanced security including a perimeter fence?

In response to the federal mandates and regulations in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing and the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the NIH was required by the HHS Office of the Inspector General to enhance physical security protection for the Bethesda campus. In response, the perimeter security at the NIH, to include the fence, gates, central commercial vehicle inspection facility, and Gateway Visitor center were approved as part of the NIH Security Program by the NIH Director in early 2003.

One of the challenges was to provide a secure environment within the campus while maintaining the ability of staff to move freely across the campus and between buildings. A perimeter fence with multiple access points for employees, a restricted access point for visitors and patients, and a second restricted access point for construction and delivery vehicles was the most feasible and effective approach to manage campus access.

Is the fence electrified?

No. The fence is a reinforced, metal picket fence that incorporates electronic security systems including, but not limited to, surveillance and alarm systems.

Who do I contact if I lost an item on campus?

LOST AND FOUND – SAME DAY

Parking Lots (Employees and Visitors): 301-656-9008
Employee Shuttles: 301-435-4010
Patient Shuttles: 301-496-1161
Gateway Center: 301-435-7554
Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF): 301-443-6843

LOST AND FOUND – AFTER 24 HOURS (AND FOR LOCATIONS NOT LISTED ABOVE)
NIH Police: 301-496-2387
Weekends: 301-496-5685

Ultimately, all lost and found items end up with the NIH Police, usually within 24 hours. To read more about the NIH policy on Lost and Found, view the NIH Manual Chapter 1420 .

What if I leave Campus and return to complete my visit? For instance, if I get lunch off Campus?

• Upon returning to NIH to complete their visit, the visitor must enter via a visitor entrance and undergo the same physical security screening as they did when they initially arrived at NIH.
  

I am expecting a delivery. Where should I direct them to enter/exit campus?

Commercial vehicle deliveries must undergo security screening at the perimeter of the campus. Currently, these vehicles enter through the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF) on Rockville Pike, located between North and Wilson Drives.

For vehicles making lunch time food deliveries such as pizza, Take Out Taxi, etc., it is acceptable for the delivery person to enter and exit campus via any visitor vehicle entrance in addition to the Commercial Vehicle Inspection entrance.

Where do I pick up the Campus Shuttle or Campus Limited shuttle buses?

The Campus Shuttle and the Campus Limited Shuttle Metro stop are located on the inside of the perimeter fence at the shuttle loop next to the temporary Gateway Visitor Center off of South Drive and Rockville Pike. For a schedule of the Campus Shuttle or Campus Limited Shuttle routes, please visit the NIH Shuttle Maps and Schedules at: http://shuttle.nih.gov

Am I required to have an NIH/HHS ID badge or visitor’s pass to enter the campus in an off-campus shuttle?

Yes. You need either a valid NIH/HHS Identification Card or a Visitor's Pass to enter the campus.

If you ride an off-campus shuttle to the campus, the shuttle will enter the campus and stop near the Medical Center Metro stop. All non-NIH/HHS ID holders are required to exit the shuttle and enter the Gateway Visitor Center to obtain a visitor's badge.

Once you have received your visitor's badge you can board the Campus or Campus Limited Shuttles at the shuttle loop immediately adjacent to the Gateway Visitor Center inside the perimeter fence.

Once the off-campus shuttle drops off all visitors outside the perimeter fence, the shuttle will stop a second time before entering the campus so a security guard can check all passenger's IDs. Those passengers without an NIH/HHS ID or valid visitor's badge will need to disembark and proceed to the NIH Gateway Visitor Center at Metro to obtain a visitor's pass. Once inside the fence, the Campus or Campus Limited Shuttles will make pickups at the shuttle loop adjacent to the NIH Gateway Visitor Center at Metro.

What are the hours of operation for vehicular entrances?

For employee vehicular entrance/exit hours of operation, please see the Employee Access Map . To view hours of operation for visitor entrances/exits only, please see the NIH Visitor Map.

Are guards stationed at vehicle entrances?

Yes. Guards will staff vehicle entrances during vehicle gate hours of operation. Additionally, NIH Police officers will maintain an active presence at vehicle gate entrances to assist as necessary.

What are the hours of operation for the visitor centers?

For NIH Visitor Center hours of operation, please see the Gateway Center Map .

Do all the occupants of a vehicle need to have an NIH ID badge or Visitor Pass?

Yes. All employees/contractors of a vehicle entering campus need to display an NIH/HHS ID badge. All visitors without a valid NIH/HHS issued ID must obtain a visitor pass prior to entering campus. If any passenger is not in possession of a valid NIH ID Badge, he/she must proceed to the Gateway Visitor Center as a pedestrian or Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF) and obtain a 1-Day Visitor Badge.

For more information, see Coming to NIH .

I am a visitor arriving by vehicle—where do I go?

Please note that all visitor vehicles will undergo security screening at the Gateway vehicle entrance located at Rockville Pike, south of South Drive.

Visitors with a valid visitor pass who are accompanying an NIH employee in their vehicle can gain access on to campus through any vehicle entrance.

Visitors may obtain a visitor pass in any of the following ways:

U.S. Person Visitors

U.S. person visitors accompanying an NIH employee in their vehicle may gain campus access in one of the following ways:

• Accompany an NIH employee with a valid NIH/HHS issued ID through the visitor vehicle inspection lanes at the NIH Gateway Center at Metro to receive a one-day visitor pass.
• Proceed to any visitor entrance as a pedestrian and complete the regular screening process to obtain a one-day visitor pass.
• Obtain a valid visitor pass prior to visit (Requires an NIH employee submit and complete the visitor pre-registration process prior to visit (Pre-registration is starting January 30, 2025 and is optional for U.S. person visitors.)

Non-U.S. Person Visitors
As of January 30, 2025, all non-U.S. person visitors and patients must pre-register at least 30 days prior to visiting Bethesda Main Campus, 5601 Fishers Lane, Biomedical Research Center, and Shady Grove. Failure to pre-register in time could put the visit at risk of being denied.

For more information, review the NIH Non-U.S. Person Visitor Access Policy .

Are taxis and other vehicles providing ride share services required to undergo inspection before entering the NIH campus?

Yes, taxis and other vehicles providing rides share services are required to be inspected at either the Gateway Vehicle Inspection, the Commerical Vehicle Inspection Facility, or at the West Drive Patient Entrance, if the passenger is a patient.

If a driver, cyclist or pedestrian without a valid NIH ID or visitor badge enters the enclave of NIH without being properly identified and granted access, they have just committed a breach of security (45 CFR 3.41 unauthorized trespass, violation of closure and/or limits to entry). The NIH Police will immediately respond, locate, identify and issue the person or persons involved a criminal citation for unauthorized trespass with a $150 fine.

What defines a commercial vehicle? What kind of identification is necessary for commercial vehicles to gain access on to campus?

The Federal Carrier Safety Regulations have defined a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) as noted below. The State of Maryland has adopted this definition for commercial vehicles that operate only within state boundaries (intrastate).

Commercial motor vehicle means any vehicle operated in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle:

1. Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or
2. Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
3. Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
4. Is used in transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding.

Identification& Requirements

Please note that drivers of commercial vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds must be in compliance with the REAL ID Act at this time. The REAL ID Extension DOES NOT apply to Commercial Vehicle Operators entering the NIH Main Campus.

Under the REAL ID ACT, NIH may only accept state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards that meet the standards required by the ACT to access our facilities. Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will also be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. Most EDLs do not contain the star marking and this is acceptable. The EDLs do however state they are enhanced driver's licenses and have an American flag either overlapping the picture or at the bottom right-hand corner.

For additional information about the Real ID Act, please visit: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

At vehicle entrances, will the guards visually inspect my ID if I already verify my ID at the card reader? Other passengers (with or without IDs)?

Yes. The guard and the ID reader work together to ensure proper security measures are followed. The ID reader ensures that the ID is a valid ID that has not expired or been revoked. The guard is present to visually confirm that the picture on the ID matches the person holding the ID. The guard is also present to assist employees in the event that the ID reader does not properly validate the ID. An employee will never be required or asked to get out of a vehicle if he/she cannot reach the reader with ease. A guard is available and willing to swipe an ID for any employee needing this assistance.

Passengers in the vehicle must also display their NIH Employee Badge to security personnel. If any passenger is not in possession of a valid NIH ID Badge, he/she must proceed to the Gateway Center or Gateway Vehicle Inspection Center and obtain a 1-Day Visitor Badge. When these facilities are closed, the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF) must be utilized.

Is visitor vehicle parking available inside the campus?

Yes. For patient and patient visitor parking, please view the Patient Access Map. For general visitor parking, please view the NIH Visitor Map .

VisitNIH and Policy Overview

General Visitor/Patient Access

VisitNIH Pre-Registration Requirements and Process

Navigating the VisitNIH Pre-Registration Portal and Form

Child & Spousal Access

Specific Location Questions

Do I still need to display my ID after I enter the campus?

Yes. Upon entering and while on the grounds of the NIH campus -- employees, contractors, vendors and visitors, etc. must possess and display a valid, NIH-approved ID. An NIH police officer or security guard can ask to see your ID at any time. If an ID is not displayed while on campus, NIH security personnel have no way of knowing whether a person is an actual employee, approved visitor or has entered the campus illegally. Visually displaying an ID helps to alleviate this concern, particularly in situations where someone may be entering a sensitive building.

The only exceptions to this requirement are:

• Children who are obviously not yet walking – the parent/guardian must be able to carry them through the screening process while the child's stroller, carriage or other carrying device is inspected as appropriate.
• Children attending a campus child care facility.
• In-patients of the Clinical Center displaying NIH hospital ID bands within or on the grounds of the Clinical Center, Children's Inn or the Family Lodge. Out-patients will display an extended visitor's ID badge.
• On duty, non-NIH first responders (police, fire, rescue) on official business within the campus.
• Residents of the Quarters Housing section while in the immediate vicinity of their residence.
• Individuals attending certain special events where access and movement is controlled by the Division of Police, Special Events Unit.

Do I need to show my ID badge when I enter a building?

No. Not in most buildings. However, it is still important that employees and visitors continue to wear their identification prominently at all times while on campus. Due to the checking of IDs at the perimeter, employees and visitors are not required to show their ID again to gain access to the majority of buildings on the NIH Bethesda campus during the normal business day. However, for a select number of buildings, a guard will still be present and employees and visitors will need to display their badge to gain access. After-hours building access requires the use of an ID badge at an electronic access card reader located at building entrances to gain access to buildings and certain restricted areas within some buildings.

Why do I need to show my ID at certain buildings?

Guards remain at certain buildings to address specific program requirements such as sensitive research and safety concerns. Additionally, there are some buildings on campus where the building tenants have decided to retain guard services in the building at their own expense.

Are HHS agency (i.e. CDC, FDA, IHS, CMS, etc.) badges an acceptable form of identification for admittance to the NIH?

Yes. However non-NIH, HHS employees are required to go through the screening process in a vehicle or as a pedestrian. Employees from HHS agencies should enter campus through the Gateway Center or the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF). An HHS employee does not need to be escorted by an NIH employee while on campus.

Are neighbors in the community surrounding the NIH able to get a special ID badge to walk across the campus?

The NIH prides itself on creating a safe and secure environment for its employees, contractors, visitors, patients and patient visitors that fosters accessibility to promote the biomedical research mission of the NIH. Further, the NIH strives to be a “good neighbor” to the residents living around the NIH campus. Residents in the bordering communities may access the campus by obtaining a visitor ID badge in one of the ways listed below.

In addition, the NIH offers a shuttle bus that runs outside the campus perimeter. The Campus Perimeter shuttle is open to anyone, including neighbors, and runs during weekday morning and afternoon rush hours around the exterior roadways of the campus including a stop at the Medical Center Metro station. However, visitors must exit the shuttle at the Medical Center Metro and go inside the Gateway Visitor Center to obtain a visitor's ID badge if they want to enter the campus either as a pedestrian or on a shuttle bus.

U.S. Person Visitors

U.S. person visitors can obtain campus access by:

• Acompanying an NIH employee in their vehicle, drive through the visitor vehicle inspection lanes at the NIH Gateway Center at Metro
• Proceeding through the regular screening process at one of the visitor entrances in order to obtain a one-day visitor's pass.
• Have an NIH employee submit a Pre-Cleared Visitor Program (PCVP) request at least two (2) business days before the guest’s arrival. With a valid visitor pass, guests can accompany an employee on to campus through any vehicle entrance.
• Completing the VisitNIH pre-registration process prior to date of visit.*

*Pre-registration is available on January 30, 2025 and must be completed by an eligible NIH federal employee. Pre-registration is optional for U.S. Person visitors.

Non-U.S. Person Visitors

As of January 30, 2025, all non-U.S. visitors and patients must pre-register prior to visiting Bethesda Main Campus, 5601 Fishers Lane, Biomedical Research Center, and Shady Grove.*

Non-U.S. person visitors are required to be hosted by an NIH federal employee who is a U.S. person. Once the pre-registration process is complete and the request has been approved, a non-U.S. person visitor accompanying an NIH employee can gain access on to campusthrough any visitor entrance.

Non-U.S. person visitors should bring their unexpired foreign passport when entering the facility and be prepared to provide the guard with U.S.-issued visa information during the check-in process, if applicable.

For more information visit ( NIH Non-U.S. Person Visitor Access Policy )

If a visiting fellow loses their badge, would they need to go through the VisitNIH process or is there an exception since they are already an NIH employee?

If a visiting fellow loses their badge, they do not need to pre-register, but they should go through the visitor entrance to obtain a visitor badge until they receive a new PIV card. Guards at the visitor entrance will be able to verify that they are a fellow. This is true for all NIH staff who have been issued a PIV card (e.g., contractors, special volunteers, etc.).

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