In order to either enroll for or activate a USAccess credential, generally Applicants make an appointment to visit a USAccess Credentialing Center using the GSA Online Scheduling System. Additionally, this information is applicable to credential holders who need to update their certificates on their active credential. There are over 300 USAccess Centers located around the country. Visit Find USAccess Centers to locate a center near you.
The GSA Online Scheduling System is a publicly accessible Web site that is used to schedule and manage appointments at USAccess Centers. Applicants will receive the link to the GSA Online Scheduling system in the emails that are sent to them as part of the credentialing process and update process. View Get A Credential section for credentialing process details.
Some agencies have implemented the Light Activation service <insert link to new page> enabling the footprint of locations to expand where Applicants may activate their PIV Credential. If this service is available in your Agency, you will not use the GSA Online Scheduling System to make an appointment to activate your credential. Check with your Sponsor, HSPD-12 program office or on your agency’s intranet to determine where this service is in use at your agency.
How to Make an Appointment at a Credentialing Center
For complete instructions on how to make an appointment using the GSA Online Scheduling System, please see the Making Appointments in GSA Online Scheduling guide.
NOTE: If this is the Applicant’s first use of the GSA Online Scheduling System, he/she will be prompted to first create an account before making an appointment at a USAccess Center. To create an account, Applicants should click on the “Users Click Here to Register” link located on the home page of the GSA Online Scheduling System Web site.
Lost or Forgotten Passwords to GSA Online Scheduling System
If an Applicant has lost or forgotten a Username or Password for the GSA Online Scheduling system, the Applicant should create a new account in the GSA Online Scheduling System.
To create a new account, Applicants should click on the “Users Click Here to Register” link located on the home page of the GSA Online Scheduling System Web site.
How to Make an Appointment at a Light Activation Station
Agencies who have opted to implement the Light Activation service may post station locations on their intranet or communicate that information to you in an email. Alternatively, contact your Sponsor, Agency HSPD-12 or identity management program office for further information about availability of the Light Activation service.
What To Bring To Enrollment Appointments
To enroll for a USAccess credential, Applicants must present two forms of identification that will be scanned into the Applicant’s Enrollment record. Bring documents that can be scanned. The primary form of identification must be one of the following unexpired documents:
- U.S. Passport
- Driver's License with photo
- Military ID
- Military Dependent ID
- Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC)
The secondary form of identification can be an additional primary form of identification, or one of the Secondary forms of identification described on the List of Acceptable Forms of Identification guide. These documents must also be unexpired.
Some examples from the list include:
• U.S. Social Security Card
• Birth Certificate (original or certified copy)
• ID card issued by federal, state, or local government agency
• School ID with photograph
• Voter's registration card
Note: If Applicants do not have at least one form of Primary ID and another secondary form of ID, they will not be able to enroll for their credential.
What To Bring to Activation Appointments
For Activation appointments , Applicants should bring the temporary password contained in the email sent to them informing them their credential was ready for pick up. It is possible that you may receive an email without the temporary password. This does not prevent you from activating your credential but without the password, you must activate your credential with the assistance of an Activator. This is called Attended Activation.
Using Attended or Unattended Activation (self-service), the Applicant will be prompted to enter this password when inserting their credential into the card reader. Applicants will then be prompted to submit their fingerprint using an electronic fingerprint scanner, and then asked to create a personal PIN for their credential. Frequently, the PIN is required when the credential is used for access to online government systems.
Rescheduling Appointments at Credentialing Centers
If Applicants need to reschedule or modify an existing appointment, they have the ability to do so within the GSA Online Scheduling System.
To modify or reschedule an appointment:
- Log in to GSA Online Scheduling System
- Click on My Appointments tab
- Select Modify to make changes to the appointment
- The calendar screen will appear. Select the new day or time of the appointment and click NEXT on the bottom right hand corner of the screen. A new confirmation email will be sent to the email listed when creating the GSA Online Scheduling System account. This cancels the previously scheduled appointment.
For complete instructions on how to use the GSA Online Scheduling System, please see the Making Appointments in GSA Online Scheduling guide.
How to Cancel an Appointment at Credentialing Centers
If Applicants must cancel an appointment, they have the ability to do so within the GSA Online Scheduling System.
To cancel an Appointment:
- Log in to GSA Online Scheduling System
- Click on My Appointments tab
- Select Cancel to delete appointment
- Click OK to confirm the appointment should be canceled
The Applicant will receive an email confirming that the appointment was canceled. The email is sent to one listed when creating the GSA Online Scheduling System account.
For complete instructions on how to use the GSA Online Scheduling System, please see the Making Appointments in GSA Online Scheduling guide.
Check Status of Your USAccess Credential
If Applicants want to know the status of their USAccess Credentials, they should contact their agency’s program management office or the person who sponsored them for their PIV Credential. For finding the person who sponsored you, the contact information was listed in the Sponsorship Complete email you received telling you to enroll for your credential. Check your Agency’s intranet for information about your program office.
If Applicants do not know who their Sponsor is, they can also contact their Agency's Security Officer. Either of these people can run a report called the Applicant Status Report to check the status of credentials.
If Applicants have questions on when they need to enroll for their credential, they should consult with their supervisor.