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security.nih.gov

Your central source for NIH security information,
provided by the Office of Research Services

Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted. The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov. Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at opm.gov.

Visitor Campus Access

The NIH is a Federal agency and security measures, including inspection of vehicles and persons, have been implemented to ensure the safety of our staff and visitors. ​All patients and visitors ages 18 and older must go through security and be issued a visitor badge to enter the NIH campus. ​​

Visitors entering the NIH Bethesda Campus by car:

  • NIH Gateway Vehicle Inspection Station (Monday - Friday​, 4:00am to 12:00pm)​​
  • NIH Commercial Vehicle Entrance (CVIF) (24 hours a day/7 days a week) 

​Please allow at least 45 minutes (or as otherwise directed by your research team) to clear security, park your car and arrive at your first appointment.​​

Vehicles inspected and visitor badges issued at NIH Gateway vehicle inspection station. View the NIH Visitor​ Map for further details.​​​​

Visitors entering the NIH Bethesda Campus​ on foot:

  • NIH Gateway Center at Metro (Monday - Friday​, 6am to 10pm)
  • Closed on Weekends/Holidays​
  • After 10pm on weekdays, all day weekends and holidays, pedestrian visitors should enter campus via the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF) - Building 67 (on Rockville Pike between North Drive and Wilson Drive)​

Visitor badges issued at NIH Gateway Center and West Visitor Center​. View the NIH Visitor​ Map for further details.​​​​

Patients and Patient Visitors entering the NIH Bethesda Campus​ by car​:

  • NIH Patient Entrance at Cedar Lane and West Drive – Inbound Traffic Only (6am to 10pm, 7 days a week)
  • NIH Gateway Vehicle Inspection Station (Monday - Friday​, 4:00am to 12:00pm)
  • Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF) (24 hours a day/7 days a week 
Assistance provided by the Clinical Center Hospitality Staff at the Patient Entrance. View the Patient Access Map for further details.

Patients and Patient Visitors entering the NIH Bethesda Campus​ on foot​:

  • ​NIH Gateway Center at Metro (Monday - Friday​, 6am to 10pm)​​
  • After 10pm on weekdays, all day weekends and holidays, pedestrian visitors should enter campus via the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF) - Building 67 (on Rockville Pike between North Drive and Wilson Drive) ​​
Assistance provided by the Clinical Center Hospitality Staff at the Patient Entrance. View the Patient Access Map for further details.


​Questions? Contact the ORS Information Line at orsinfo@mail.nih.gov or call 301-594-6677, TTY 301-435-1908.​


Additional Resources​