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

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 Center at Metro (Monday - Friday​, 6am to 10pm)​​
  • 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)
  • NIH West Visitor Center at Old Georgetown Road and South Drive (Monday - Friday, 6am to 12pm)
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​, 5am to 10pm)
  • 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 Patient Entrance at Cedar Lane and West Drive – Inbound Traffic Only (6am to 10pm, 7 days a week)
  • ​NIH Gateway Center at Metro (Monday - Friday​, 6am to 10pm)​​
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​