Security Information

Entering the NIH campus/Campus Security

NOTE: For all non-U.S. visitors, please be sure to bring your ID's and/or your passport.

Please reference the NIH visitor's map to locate visitor entrances, visitor parking, and the Clinical Center as well as other pertinent details.

Visitors may access the NIH campus through one of two visitor centers—the NIH Gateway Center at the Metro entrance (Rockville Pike and South Drive) or the West Visitor Center at Old Georgetown Road and South Drive. The Gateway Center is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The West Visitor Center will be open M-F, 5:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. except for federal holidays and is available for pedestrians only.

Visitors will be asked to show one form of valid government-issued photo identification and to state the purpose of their visit in order to receive a visitor’s pass. Examples of acceptable identification include: driver’s license, passport, military ID, other government agency IDs, green cards.

Additional NIH visitor information

Please note: visitor parking is limited at NIH. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation such as the Metrorail subway system which has a convenient stop (Medical Center) on the NIH campus. Visit the "Metro" site for information on fares and schedules http://www.wmata.com/.

Visitor vehicles will undergo security screening at the Metro entrance. Be sure to allow extra time for the vehicle inspection procedure. Visitors must park in designated visitor parking lots (see visitor access map). Vehicles will be inspected prior to parking in underground or multi-level garages.

Visit http://www.nih.gov/about/visitor/index.htm. This site includes information about transportation, directions, parking, security, maps of the NIH campus and Bethesda area, shuttle schedules, and more.

Campus Access and Security

The National Institutes of Health, like all Federal Government facilities, has instituted security measures to ensure the safety of our patients, employees, guests and facilities. Please visit the Department of Homeland Security National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)(link is external) site to learn more about any current terrorist threat alerts for government and public entities that may impact NIH security.

All visitors must enter through the NIH Gateway Center. You will be asked to submit to a vehicle or personal inspection. Visitors over 15 years of age must provide a form of government-issued ID such as a driver's license or passport. Visitors under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Please be aware: Federal law prohibits the following items on Federal property: firearms, explosives, archery equipment, dangerous weapons, knives with blades over 2½ inches, alcoholic beverages, open containers of alcohol and marijuana (cannabis).

Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation such as the Metrorail subway system which has a convenient stop (Medical Center) on the NIH campus. Visit the "Metro" site for information on fares and schedules(link is external).

Read our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to safety and security at the NIH, including information about pedestrian entrances, parking and general campus access.

NIH Gateway Center

Visitors will be required to show one (1) form of identification (a government-issued photo ID-driver's license, passport, green card, etc.) and to state the purpose of their visit.

The NIH Gateway Center is located adjacent to the Medical Center Metro Station at the South Drive entrance to campus from Rockville Pike / Wisconsin Avenue (Route 355). It combines visitor parking, non-commercial vehicle inspection and visitor ID processing, all in one location. The NIH will process all visitors in vehicles or as pedestrians.

Patients and patient visitors should continue to enter campus at the West Drive/Cedar Lane entrance during the hours of 6am–10pm, 7 days a week.

View a map detailing the Patient Visitor Entrance.

Pedestrians

Gateway Center (for Pedestrians) – Building 66

Monday – Friday
6am – 10pm

(After 10pm and before 6am on weekdays, and on all weekends, pedestrian visitors should enter campus through the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility. Patients and Patients visitors are also welcome to use the West Drive Patient Entrance, 6am – 10pm, 7 days a week.)

Vehicles

For visitors arriving in vehicles, on motorcycles or bicycles, the Gateway Vehicle Inspection Station (Building 66A), provides multiple inspection lanes and allows visitors to go through inspection and get a visitor badge in one centralized, efficient process. Vehicles enter the Gateway Center complex through "NIH Gateway Drive," just south of the intersection of South Drive and Rockville Pike. Vehicles that choose to bypass parking in MLP-11 will go through inspection and enter campus at Center Drive near the National Library of Medicine. (See Gateway Map)

Gateway Center Vehicle Inspection (Building 66A)

Monday – Friday
4am – 4pm (Limited Hours of Operation Due to Pandemic)

After 4am and before 4pm on weekdays, and on all weekends, visitors in vehicles should enter campus through the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility. Patients and Patients visitors are encouraged to use the West Drive Patient Entrance, 6am – 10pm, 7 days a week.)

Visitors arriving in vehicles should use the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF).

Patients/Patient visitors arriving in vehicles should use the West Drive Patient Entrance (when open).