HRM-002: Issuance and Use of Physical and Mobile University ID Credentials (formerly Identification Cards)

Date: 11/04/2003 Status: Final
Last Revised: 10/09/2026
Policy Type: University
Oversight Executive: Senior Vice President for Operations, Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer
Applies To:

Academic Division.

Reason for Policy:

This policy establishes requirements for the issuance and use of University of Virginia ID credentials; provides clarification on who is eligible for an ID credential; and addresses compliance with Virginia Code Section 23.1-802.1.

Definition of Terms in Statement:
  • Associated Organization Employee:An individual who is an employee of one of the officially recognized University-Associated Organizations.
  • Contractor Employee:An individual who is an employee of a firm that has a formal contractual relationship with the University and has been assigned to work at the University for the duration of the contract.
  • Credential Lifecycle:The process governing issuance, activation, use, suspension, revocation, and expiration of a University ID credential.
  • Mobile Credential (Mobile ID):A digital version of the University ID credential provisioned to a supported personal device (e.g., smartphone or wearable, such as a smartwatch) and used for identification and access.
  • Special Program Participant:An individual who is enrolled in a special program sponsored by a University department.
  • University ID Credential (Credential):A University-issued identity credential used to verify identity and enable access to services, systems, or facilities. Credentials may be issued in physical (card) or digital/mobile form.
  • University of Virginia Employee:Is an individual:
    • Employed with the University’s academic division who is full-time or part-time and receiving employee benefits.
    • Hired as a wage employee (faculty, adjunct faculty, part-time classified, post-doc, and wage) to work 1500 hours or less per year with the University’s academic division and receiving no employee benefits.
  • University of Virginia Student:An individual who is enrolled in a degree program or a summer session program.
  • Visiting Faculty and Staff:An individual working on a temporary basis at the University and not receiving compensation from the University's academic division.  (Examples of visiting faculty and staff include, but are not limited to, visiting research assistants, visiting scholars and ROTC.)
Policy Statement:

University ID credentials (credentials), including physical cards and mobile credentials, are the property of the University of Virginia and are provided for identification and access to University services, systems, and facilities. Credentials and their associated privileges are not transferable. Credentials remain valid only while the holder maintains an active affiliation with the University. The University ID Office serves as the authoritative issuer and credential lifecycle manager of University ID credentials. Misuse, alteration, duplication, or unauthorized provisioning of a University ID credential may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination in accordance with relevant University policies.

University of Virginia students, employees, special program participants, and individuals affiliated with the University of Virginia are eligible to obtain a University ID credential as described below. For more information on privileges associated with the University ID credential, see the ID Office website.

Note: University of Virginia Medical Center, School of Medicine, and School of Nursing employees required to have a UVa Health System ID Badge should obtain one from the UVa Health System Technical Services Office. Medical Center employees are covered under Health System Identification Badges.

  1. Mobile Credentials (Mobile ID):
    The University may issue eligible individuals a mobile credential (Mobile ID) as an alternative to a physical identification card. Mobile IDs carry the same identity and authorization privileges as physical credentials.

    Use of Mobile ID is subject to device compatibility, security requirements, and vendor platform constraints. Individuals are responsible for maintaining the security of their personal device used for Mobile ID. In situations where Mobile ID is unavailable (e.g., device failure), individuals may be required to present a physical credential or alternative identification.

    The University reserves the right to suspend or revoke Mobile ID independently of a physical credential.

  2. Eligibility for a University ID Credential:
    University of Virginia students, full-time employees, and part-time employees will be issued a University ID credential.

    Wage employees may be issued a University ID credential only with departmental or University Human Resources written authorization.

    Visiting faculty and staff, contractor employees, and associated organization employees may be issued a University ID credential only with departmental or University Human Resources written authorization. A fee will be charged for the credential.

    Special Program Participants may be issued a University ID card upon an approved written authorization and justification being submitted by the sponsoring official University department. A fee will be charged for the card.

  3. Student University ID Credential Requirement:
    As required by Virginia Code Section 23.1-802.1, "988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline" and the URL of the University’s Emergency Services website will be included noticeably on mobile and physical University credentials. Annually, Student Affairs will review the telephone number for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline that is included on each student University credential for accuracy and confirm that it is current.
  4. Return of University ID Credentials:
    Physical credentials must be returned upon separation where applicable. Credentials issued to employees and individuals affiliated with the University of Virginia must be returned to the University ID Office upon separation. Credentials issued to persons participating in special programs sponsored by the University must be returned to the University ID Office upon completion of the program.

    Mobile credentials will be deactivated upon separation or loss of eligibility.

  5. Lost, Damaged, or Stolen University ID Credentials:
    Lost, damaged, or stolen physical credentials will be replaced at the University ID Office. Lost or compromised mobile credentials must be reported immediately and may be remotely deactivated.

    A fee will be assessed for a replacement physical credential. University ID credentials will also be replaced because of malfunction or a legal name change at no charge provided the old credential is returned. Additional information is available on the ID Office website.

  6. University System Compliance:
    All new University systems, services, facilities, and business operations that require identity verification, access control, or transaction enablement must be evaluated and incorporate University ID credential integration, including support for mobile credentials. This includes, but is not limited to:

    • Physical access systems (doors, facilities, housing)
    • Point-of-sale and transaction systems
    • Event access and ticketing
    • Identity verification workflows

    Departments implementing new solutions must:

    • Phone or email the University ID Office to apprise them of the new system being considered.
    • Coordinate with the University ID Office to evaluate compatibility with University ID credential technologies.
    • Avoid creation of standalone or duplicative identity/access systems where a University ID credential can be used.

    Exceptions to these credential integration requirements must be documented and approved through the ID Office.

  7. Compliance with Policy:
    Failure to comply with the requirements of this policy (including misuse, alteration, duplication, or unauthorized provisioning) may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion in accordance with relevant University policies.

    Direct questions about this policy to the University ID Office or Student Affairs.

Procedures:
Policy Background:

This policy was first implemented in April 2003 for employees, individuals, and special program participants affiliated with the University of Virginia. This version of the policy for students replaces previous policies published in the University of Virginia’s Undergraduate and Graduate Records prior to April 2003.

Major Category:
Human Resource Management
Next Scheduled Review:
10/09/2029
Approved By, Date:
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, 11/04/2003
Revision History:

ID Card changed to ID Credential, added Section 1 and 6 10/9/26; Added Section 2 8/9/23; Added Compliance section 7/20/21; Updated definition 5/15/19; Updated 5/25/18; 5/28/09; 2/14/08; 1/2/08; 5/31/06, 8/31/05.

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