What Kind of Badge Do I Need?
Employee badge types
Employees will get either a PIV Badge or an Ames Lab Badge depending on their role and how long they will be at the Lab. The table below shows what type of badge you'll get. Scroll down for more details about the different badges and what you can expect from the process.
Here's info about badges for visitors and subcontractors.
If you are an Ames Lab employee and/or...
A joint employee
A foreign national employee who has resided in the U.S. for more than three years
A postdoc
...You'll receive a PIV Badge
If you're eligible for a PIV Badge:
Stay tuned - the Badging Office will contact you when it's time to start the process to get your new badge.
Plan to keep using your ISUCard for door access and to wear it for identification (starting in January 2025) until you receive your PIV Badge.
Need a clip or lanyard? Stop by the Badging Office for a variety of options, or choose your own.
Get details and learn more about what to expect with your PIV Badge.
Example of a PIV Badge
A contributor
A foreign national employee who has been in the U.S. less than three years
A graduate student
An undergraduate student
...You'll receive an Ames Lab Badge
What you can do now:
Come get your Ames Lab Badge! Stop by 105 TASF anytime, or email us at badgingoffice@ameslab.gov if you prefer to schedule an appointment.
Your Ames Lab Badge will immediately replace your ISUCard for door access to Ames Lab facilities.
Plan to wear your Ames Lab Badge for identification in Ames Lab spaces starting in January 2025.
Need a clip or lanyard? Stop by the Badging Office for a variety of options, or choose your own.
Get details and learn more about what to expect with your Ames Lab Badge.
Example of an Ames Lab Badge
Ames Lab ID cards
Example of an Ames Lab ID card, which cannot be programmed for door access
What's happening to our old Ames Lab ID cards? Why can’t we use these for door access?
In addition to your ISUCard, many Ames Lab employees have an Ames Lab ID card (printed by the guards). These badges look similar to the upcoming Ames Lab Badges, but can't be programmed for door access, so you’ll need to trade them in for a new Ames Lab Badge or PIV Badge when it’s time.
I don't have an Ames Lab ID card. What should I do?
A small number of employees don't have any type of Ames Lab identification because they started working here after our old Ames Lab ID card printer broke in fall 2023. That's okay - since we won't be using these for door access, you can either come get an Ames Lab Badge, or (if you are eligible for a PIV Badge) keep using your ISUCard until your PIV Badge arrives.
If you are not eligible for a PIV Badge: Stop by TASF 105 anytime or set up an appointment with the Badging Office to get an Ames Lab Badge.
If you are eligible for a PIV Badge, you can keep using your ISUCard for identification and door access until you receive your PIV Badge. If you prefer to use an Ames Lab Badge instead of your ISUCard for both identification and door access now, you can, but remember: If you are eligible for a PIV Badge, you will still need to complete that process when it's your turn.
Have general questions about badges? Check out Frequently Asked Questions.