U.S. flag
        An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you know**Official websites use .gov**
              
              A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
        **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
              
              A **lock** (  A locked padlock
) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. https://www.nist.gov/about-nist/visit/campus-access-and-security
  Search NIST
    Search
              Menu

      


Close
    Topics
        All Topics
                                                        Advanced communications
                                                        Artificial intelligence
                                                        Bioscience
                                                        Buildings and construction
                                                        Chemistry
                                                        Climate
                                                        Cybersecurity
                                                        Electronics
                                                        EnergyEnvironment
                                                        Fire
                                                        Forensic science
                                                        Health
                                                        Information technology
                                                        Infrastructure
                                                        Manufacturing
                                                        Materials
                                                        Mathematics and statisticsMetrology
                                                        Nanotechnology
                                                        Neutron research
                                                        Performance excellence
                                                        Physics
                                                        Public safety
                                                        Resilience
                                                        Standards
                                                        Transportation
            Publications
            Labs & Major Programs
        Laboratories
                                Communications Technology Laboratory
                                  Engineering Laboratory
                                  Information Technology Laboratory
                                  Material Measurement Laboratory
                                  Physical Measurement LaboratoryUser Facilities
                                NIST Center for Neutron Research
                                  CNST NanoFab
                                                        Research Test Beds
                                                        Research Projects
                                                        Tools & InstrumentsMajor Programs
                                Baldrige Performance Excellence Program
                                  CHIPS for America Initiative
                                  Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
                                  Office of Advanced Manufacturing
                                  Special Programs Office
                                  Technology Partnerships Office
            Services & Resources
        Standards and Measurements
                                Calibration Services
                                  Laboratory Accreditation (NVLAP)
                                  Quality System
                                  Standard Reference Materials (SRMs)
                                  Standards.gov
                                  Time Services
                                  Office of Weights and MeasuresSoftware
                                                        Data
                                Chemistry WebBook
                                  National Vulnerability Database
                                  Physical Reference Data
                                  Standard Reference Data (SRD)
                                                        Storefront
                                                        License & PatentsComputer Security Resource Center (CSRC)
                                                        NIST Research Library
            News & Events
        News
                                                        Events
                                                        Blogs
                                                        Feature Stories
                                                        AwardsVideo Gallery
                                                        Image Gallery
                                                        Media Contacts
            About NIST
        About Us
                                Leadership
                                  Organization Structure
                                  Budget & Planning
                                                        Contact Us
                                                        Visit
                                                        Careers
                                Student programsWork with NIST
                                                        History
                                NIST Digital Archives
                                  NIST Museum
                                  NIST and the Nobel
                                                        Educational Resources
 
 Visitor Information
                            Expand or Collapse
          Campus Access and Security
                      Getting to NIST Gaithersburg
                      Parking and Getting Around - Gaithersburg
                      Planning Your Visit – Gaithersburg
                      Getting to NIST Boulder
                      Parking and Getting Around - Boulder
                      Planning Your Visit – BoulderCampus Access and Security

Share
  Facebook
                      Linkedin
                      Twitter
                      Email

Responsible Office:

Emergency Services Office

All visitors 16 years of age and older must be pre-registered in NIST's Visitor Registration System and obtain a visitor pass. *See additional requirements for visiting foreign nationals below.*
	Children younger than 16 years old do not need to be registered; however, they must be accompanied by an adult at all times when on campus.
	All visitors 16 years of age and older are required to present an accepted form of photo I.D. and, if bringing a vehicle onto a NIST campus, their valid vehicle registration card. See below for accepted forms of photo I.D.
	All visitors are subject to screening and vehicle inspection.

**Photo I.D. Requirements for Citizens**

Effective May 7, 2025, agencies can only accept a state-issued driver’s license or identification card from states that are compliant with or have an exemption for theREAL ID Act.  See the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) site to confirm if your ID iscompliant.
	NIST currently accepts other forms of federally issued identification in lieu of a state-issued driver's license, including an original passport, passport card, DOD Common Access Card (CAC), Veteran ID, Federal Agency HSPD-12 IDs, Military Dependent ID, Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC), and TSA Trusted Traveler ID.**Visitor Registration/Access**

All visitors 16 years of age and older must be pre-registered in NIST's Visitor Registration System and obtain a visitor pass.
	Federal employees in possession of active Department of Commerce agency badges or credentials are required to be enrolled into the Visitor Registration System for the duration of their first visit to the campus to receive their initial pass.
	Employees belonging to GSA or the DOC bureaus or offices (NOAA, NTIA, & OS) that have a recurring need to access the campus, should work with their bureau’s local campus sponsor, who will provide instructions to enter campus.
	NIST offers a Limited Access Pass that allows access to public areas only (escort required for non-public areas) of the campus for specific frequent visitors without requiring processing through the Office of Security for each visit. A Limited Access Pass requires sponsorship by a NIST employee.**Foreign Nationals**

Only NIST employees may sponsor or host a foreign national visitor or guest.
	Foreign nationals visiting a NIST location for three (3) days or fewer or attending a conference of five (5) days or less, must be pre-registered in NIST's Visitor Registration System at least three (3) business days in advance.
	Foreign nationals who will be visiting NIST for more than three (3) days must be pre-registered in the associate's system at least 30 calendar days prior to their arrival. Sponsors must complete citizenship information during the registration to ensure the form will automatically be routed to the appropriate offices.
	Lawful Permanent Resident visitors must present their Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) upon arrival. Non-Permanent Resident visitors must present a valid passport (original only) upon arrival.
	All forms of ID must be original. No photocopies are permitted.**Deliveries**

All deliveries must arrive on campus through the Visitor Center in Boulder or Gate C in Gaithersburg.

Note: Any deliveries to a location other than Shipping and Receiving require registration in the Visitor Registration System, all vehicles are subject to inspection.

**Access when Visitor Center is Closed**

Visitors needing access to NIST sites when the Visitor Center is closed (i.e., after working hours) — **7:00 p.m.- 6:00 a.m., Monday-Friday; all day Saturday and Sunday; and federal holidays**— must be escorted at all times by individuals with authorized after-hours campus access. After-hours access also requires advance authorization.

If you have been approved for after-hours access, proceed to the Main Gate (Gate A in Gaithersburg) entrance and present a valid photo identification. You will be required to sign in and out of the facility. The NIST sponsor must be with the visitor and display their NIST or federal badge prior to visitor entry.

For visitors who enter the NIST campus during regular working hours but will not exit until after-hours:

The sponsor must contact the Emergency Services Office at 301-975-2660, **prior to the start of “after-hours”**to obtain authorization to extend the visit, and
	Both the visitor and sponsor shall comply with the security procedures outlined above.All visitors exiting NIST sites after-hours must exit via the Main Gate and return their paper visitor badges to security personnel.

**Prohibited Items:**

Firearms, knives more than 2.5 inches, explosives or combustible chemical compounds and mixtures, mace, pepper spray, and other dangerous weapons are prohibited on the NIST campus.

****Privacy:****

NIST collects the name, date of birth, and photo image of individuals (e.g., from I.D. or in person) to control and track access to NIST facilities and sites to issue temporary IDs and verify the frequency of access.

Only authorized NIST staff will have access to the information provided, which will be protected against unauthorized access or disclosure through technical, physical, and administrative controls. Information collected from individuals will be retained according to the NARA General Records Schedule for this type of information.

Individuals may decline to provide the required identification and data elements, however, failure to do so will result in NIST denying the individual access to the facilities. The failure to provide accurate information may delay or prevent you from receiving access. Submitting requested personal information and ID constitutes your consent to the use of the information for the purposes stated.

    
    Created December 22, 2015, Updated August 21, 2023 ‹ Visitor Information
              Getting to NIST Gaithersburg ›
 HEADQUARTERS
            100 Bureau Drive
              Gaithersburg, MD 20899301-975-2000
            Webmaster | Contact Us | Our Other Offices
        Twitter
            
Facebook
            
LinkedIn
            
Instagram
            
YouTube
            
Giphy
            
RSS Feed
            
Mailing List
                              How are we doing? Feedback

  
  Site Privacy
                      Accessibility
                      Privacy Program
                      Copyrights
                      Vulnerability Disclosure
                      No Fear Act Policy
                      FOIA
                      Environmental Policy
                      Scientific Integrity
                      Information Quality Standards
                      Commerce.gov
                      Science.gov
                      USA.gov
                      Vote.gov