Updated RLA Badges​ for NIH Staff

Edited on September 17, 2026: This article has been updated to reflect the correct usage of terminology.

To improve badge differentiation that support federal security requirements, the NIH is updating Restricted Local Access (RLA) badges for NIH non-U.S. person employees.

As a reminder, any badge type requested is determined by employee classification, citizenship status and duration of access needed. There are three main types of badges issued:

1. Personal Identity Verification (PIV): For individuals needing long-term (greater than 6 months) physical & logical access and for non-U.S. persons with over 3 years of U.S. residency.

2. Restricted Local Access (RLA): For individuals needing short-term physical and logical access and for non-U.S. persons with under 3 years of U.S. residency.

3. Short Term Access Credential (STAC): For individuals needing specific short-term access.

Please feel free to visit the Division of Personnel Security (DPS) website for more information on these three types of badges.

What is Changing?

Previously, there was only one type of RLA badge, so all NIH RLA badges appeared identical, regardless of nationality or logical access restrictions. Because there are no visual indicators identifying an RLA badge, access restrictions cannot be identified at a glance. This increases the risk of inappropriate or unauthorized use.

To mitigate this risk and better align with federal security requirements, NIH is introducing a clearer distinction between badge types. For each of the three main types of badges mentioned, there are subsets of badges with different colors:

1. The PIV badge has four different colored stripe badges

2. The RLA badge will now have four different colored stripe badges

3. The STAC badge only has one badge

View the full badge chart to see the visuals of all types of badges (PIV, RLA and STAC badges) and to understand the differences between these badges in greater detail. (Please note: The badge chart requires an NIH login.)

What Will the RLA Badges Look Like?

There will be four different colored stripe types of RLA badges. The visual differences will indicate whether an individual is a short-term staff (FTE, Contractor or Affiliate) or a non-U.S. person in the U.S. for less than 3 years:

• Color: Orange Stripe Only Badge
  Employee Classification: RLA Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
  Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship
  Duration of Access: Less than 6 Months
• Color: Green with Orange Stripe
  Employee Classification: RLA Contractor or Affiliate
  Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship
  Duration of Access: Less than 6 Months
• Color: Blue Green with Orange Stripe
  Employee Classification: RLA Contractor or Affiliate
  Citizenship: Non-U.S. person residing in the U.S. for under 3 years
  Duration of Access: Up to 3 years
• Color: Blue with Orange Stripe
  Employee Classification: RLA FTE
  Citizenship: Non-U.S. person residing in the U.S. for under 3 years
  Duration of Access: Up to 3 years

In summary: All RLA badges feature an orange stripe across the badge. Similar to standard PIV badges, a green mark indicates the individual is a contractor or affiliate, while the absence of green indicates FTE. Additionally, a blue mark identifies the individual as a non-U.S. person, whereas no blue mark identifies the individual as a U.S. citizen.

How Will the Updated RLA Badges be Rolled Out?

NIH is implementing a phased approach to minimize disruption to staff and operations:

• New Onboards: NIH will begin issuing RLA badges to all newly onboarded employees who need less than 6 months of access and to all newly onboarded non-U.S. person employees who have not resided in the US for more than 3 years.
• Existing Badge Holders: Current non-U.S. person employees who have not resided in the US for more than 3 years will continue using their active badges until they expire.
• The Transition: When their current badges expire, these badge holders who currently hold RLA badges will transition to PIV badges through the normal renewal process.

Therefore, there is no immediate action required from staff with active badges. The renewal and transition process will begin automatically when an individual's NIH RLA badge is due to expire.

Questions?

Additional details and guidance will be shared as the rollout continues. If you or your staff have any questions regarding this upcoming change, please contact DPS at ORSpersonnelsecurity@mail.nih.gov.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping NIH safe and secure.

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