Effective Sept. 2, 2026, all gated parking facilities on campus accept only the new CMU ID cards for permit holder access. This includes free night/weekend parking in East Campus Garage. Permit holders should exchange their ID cards as soon as possible.
ID Card Upgrade Project
In the summer of 2026, Ä¢¹½Av introduced new physical ID cards as part of an initiative to improve the everyday experience for the campus community. Additionally, ID Card Services relocated from the HUB to Computing Services. All inquiries and requests related to ID cards—including lost or damaged cards, name changes, photos, and new card distribution—will now be handled by the Computing Services Help Center.
Why New ID Cards?
The CMU ID card is a core part of campus life, used for building access, dining, printing and more. The new cards are designed to make those interactions more convenient, accessible and secure. With the new cards, you can expect:
- Faster building access with tap-and-go technology (no need to swipe or insert)
- A cleaner, simpler design that’s easier to read
- Improved accessibility for individuals with mobility or visual impairments
- Higher encryption for enhanced security
In parallel, the university is upgrading door readers and supporting infrastructure across campus. These changes also position the university for future enhancements, such as digital ID capabilities.
When and How Do I Get My New ID Card?
Computing Services oversaw a phased rollout of the new ID cards to the Pittsburgh campus community from June through September 2026. You received an email when your replacement was ready, with instructions on when and how to exchange your card. To ensure a quick, efficient process, your new card was pre-printed with your current photo and ready for pickup. You simply brought your current ID card and swapped it for your new one. If you still need to exchange your CMU ID card, visit a distribution event or .
CYH 119, First Floor
Follow the signs to the Computing Services Help Center.
Distribution Timelines
|
Date |
Time |
Location |
| Tuesday, November 3 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | CUC Andy's Alcove |
| Wednesday, November 11 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | CUC Andy's Alcove |
Faculty, Students and Staff
All legacy ID cards will be deactivated during the week of November 16, 2026.
If you have not yet exchanged your ID card, we strongly encourage you to attend one of the scheduled ID card distribution events. This will allow you to exchange your card quickly and conveniently before the legacy cards are deactivated. Please note that Help Center appointments are limited and necessary for card exchanges outside of these events. To avoid any delays or disruptions to campus services, please exchange your card at a distribution event as soon as possible.
If you do not exchange your ID card by the deactivation deadline, you should be prepared to wait in line at the Computing Services Help Center.
Sponsored IDs
All sponsored cards set to expire between October 1, 2026, and January 30, 2027, have been extended to January 31, 2027. We will communicate with sponsors and cardholders soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else pickup my new ID card for me?
No, for security reasons, you must collect your new ID card in person. Please refer to the schedule for distribution dates and times.
I have not exchanged my ID card yet. What should I do?
If you still have your legacy card (red and green), follow the instructions below that best meet your situation.
If your ID card has been lost, fill out the ID Card Request Form and visit the Computing Services Help Center during ID Card Services walk-in hours to pay the fee for replacing your lost card and collect your new ID Card.
If you are on the Pittsburgh Campus, visit a distribution event or to exchange your ID card.
If you work remotely or are an online student, exchange your current ID card the next time you are in Pittsburgh. Please your card at the Computing Services Help Center.
If you are away on leave, study abroad, or another extended absence:
Please your card at the Computing Services Help Center several weeks before returning to campus.
What if I am a fully remote employee or emeriti faculty member who is not located in Pittsburgh?
You’ll just need to exchange your current ID card the next time you are in Pittsburgh. Email it-help@cmu.edu in advance to make arrangements to exchange your card at the Computing Services Help Center while you are in town.
Can I update my ID card photo?
No. To ensure a fast and efficient process for the entire community, existing ID card photos will be used. New employees and students will continue to submit photos during onboarding.
My name has changed since I got my current ID card. Will my new ID card have my updated name?
Current faculty and staff names were pulled from Workday on Monday, April 27, 2026, and returning undergraduate and graduate student names will be pulled from SIO on Monday, May 18, so new ID cards will reflect the preferred first and last name on record as of those dates.
What if I am both an employee and a student, such as a student worker or an employee taking classes?
Community members with dual roles will exchange their ID cards with the group that reflects their primary affiliation: employees taking classes will be part of the employee distribution period in June/July, and student workers will be part of the student distribution period in August. Your ID card will reflect your primary affiliation.
Will the new ID cards have the same functionality as the old ones?
Yes, your new card will continue to support:
- Building and residential access
- Meal plans
- Printing and copying
- Parking
- Library services
- Plaid Cash
Two services are no longer available due to changes by external providers:
- Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) now uses the Ready2Ride mobile app.
- PNC is discontinuing the program that enables students to link CMU ID cards to bank accounts in June.
Why do I need to bring my old ID card?
Your current ID card will help us verify your identity. Also, turning in your current card ensures there are no duplicate ID cards in the community, which could be used by individuals to gain unauthorized access to buildings or obtain benefits and services for which they are not eligible.
What if my current ID card is lost or damaged?
If you have lost your current ID card, you must first go to the Help Center in Cyert Hall 119 to pay the $30 lost card fee. If you exchange your card at a Cyert session, you can pay the fee and complete the exchange in one visit. For a CUC session, you must first pay the fee at Cyert and bring the receipt with you to the CUC.
A government-issued photo ID, like a driver’s license or passport, must be presented to confirm your identity.
What if I have Plaid Cash or a printing quota balance on my current ID card?
Will I still have the same facility access on my new card?
Yes, you should immediately have access to all of the same buildings and residential communities with your new card as your current card. If you don’t, stop by or contact the Computing Services Help Center.
Is there a fee to receive my new card?
As long as you turn in your current ID card, there is no fee to receive your new card. However, if you do not turn in your current ID card, the usual $30 lost card fee will apply and can be paid at the distribution site via credit card (no cash).
How long will my current ID card still work?
During the phased rollout, both current and new ID cards will work equally. At the end of the rollout in September, only new cards will work.
What if my new card doesn't work properly?
There will be card readers at the distribution sites to test your new ID card before you leave with it. If you have any problems with your new card after pickup, stop by or contact the Computing Services Help Center.
How are the new ID cards more accessible?
The new cards feature a clean, simple design that is easier to read, and they include near field communication (NFC) technology, which means the card doesn’t have to physically touch the reader to work, it just needs to be in close proximity. This benefits individuals with limited mobility or motor skills, as well as the visually impaired.
Is this the reason we can’t use ID cards to ride PRT vehicles for free anymore?
No. PRT is transitioning to a mobile ticketing system in which physical college ID cards will no longer be accepted on its vehicles. CMU transitioned to the PRT Ready2Ride mobile app earlier this spring; if you have not yet downloaded the PRT app and set up your CMU account to receive free monthly passes, please do so.
I heard CMU is moving to digital IDs. If that’s true, why are we getting new physical ID cards now?
While CMU does plan to offer digital IDs in the future, we are not at that point yet. This upgrade is an important step toward enabling those capabilities.