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.
Remote Option: Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) allows customers to renew (unexpired) PIV/ALT certificates remotely from an NIH workstation.
In-Person Option: Lifecycle Work Station (LWS) allows customers to renew their PIV/ALT certificates in-person.
Select your IC below to view the available options to renew your PIV/ALT certificates.
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:
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They are about to expire
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Full time employees (FTE) PIV/ALT certificates expire every 2.5 years
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Contractors PIV/ALT certificates expire every year
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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.
Information and Assistance
For additional information, search the NIH IT Knowledge Base for tutorials and user guides.
For questions or user support, please contact the NIH IT Service Desk.