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.

Badge Types

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: 

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:


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.

Have general questions about badges? Check out Frequently Asked Questions.