U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The Office of the Chief Information Officer

How to Renew Your PIV/ALT Certificates

How to Renew Your PIV/ALT certificates

PIV/ALT certificates require renewal prior to their expiration date. NIH-staff will receive email notification prior to their PIV/ALT certificates expiration date.

The options to renew your PIV/ALT certificates in-person and/or remotely are determined by your IC. Please note that if your PIV/ALT certificates have expired, you must visit DPSAC's NIH Bethesda Main Campus, an on-campus Badge Office Location, or a Lifecycle Work Stations (LWS). PIV/ALT certificates that have expired cannot be renewed remotely.

Remote Option: Access Card Utility (ACU) allows customers to renew (unexpired) PIV/ALT certificates using a stand-alone self-service Windows workstation or and NIH workstation.

For more information about ACU pre-requisites and how to start the ACU, please refer to the Access Card Utility (ACU): Renew PIV/ALT certificates Knowledge Base Article.

Remote Option: Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) allows customers to renew (unexpired) PIV/ALT certificates remotely from an NIH workstation.

For more information about pre-requisites and how to request access to VDI to complete the certificate renewal, please refer to the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI): Renew PIV/ALT certificates Knowledge Base Article.

In-Person Option: Lifecycle Work Station (LWS) allows customers to renew their PIV/ALT certificates in-person.

If you cannot use VDI, ACU, and/or your digital certificates have expired, you must visit DPSAC's NIH Bethesda Main Campus, an on-campus Badge Office Location, or a Lifecycle Work Stations (LWS).
For PIN reset, schedule an appointment with an LWS Operator and/or DPSAC Badging Office.

Select your IC below to view the available options to renew your PIV/ALT certificates.

ARPA-H	CC	CIT	CSR	FIC	NCATS	NCCIH
NCI	NEI	NHGRI	NHLBI	NIA	NIAAA	NIAID
NIAMS	NIBIB	NICHD	NIDA	NIDCD	NIDCR	NIDDK
NIEHS	NIGMS	NIMH	NIMHD	NINDS	NINR	NLM
OD

Why certificates renewal are required?

PIV/ALT certificates are only valid for a fixed period. If your PIV/ALT certificate expire, you will no longer be able to access NIH Information systems, digitally sign documents, or receive encryped email.

You will be asked to renew your PIV/ALT certificates because:

They are about to expire

Full time employees (FTE) PIV/ALT certificates expire every 2.5 years
Contractors PIV/ALT certificates expire every year

The information in the certificates has changed and requires an update

Note: PIV/ALT certificates may have an expiration date that is earlier than the date printed on your card.
For more information, please visit DPSAC FAQs.

What to do after you renew your certificates

After you renew your certificates, restart your NIH Windows workstation. Once the login screen appears, connect to VPN first before entering your PIV/password. To connect to VPN, click on computer icon on the login screen. If you do not complete this step, you will receive an error message when attempting to use your PIV/ALT Card to sign-in. For more information and instructions see What To Do After You Get New Certificates.