REAL ID Act Requirements at Nuclear Power Plants
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Background
The REAL ID Act of 2005 (REAL ID Act), codified the 9-11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses and identification cards.” These standards are designed to improve the reliability of certain State-issued documents and to determine with greater accuracy whether individuals presenting a driver’s license or identification (DL/ID) card are who they say they are.
The REAL ID Act and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implementing regulations in 6 CFR Part 37 prohibit Federal agencies from accepting non compliant State issued DL/IDs to verify the identity of individuals seeking to enter nuclear power plants. Nationwide, card-based enforcement of the REAL ID Act requirements begins on May 7, 2025. A DHS final rule issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on January 14, 2025 (90 FR 3472) enables Federal agencies to use a phased enforcement plan to implement card-based enforcement of the REAL ID Act requirements. As permitted by the DHS/TSA final rule, the NRC will implement a phased enforcement plan and will not begin full card-based enforcement of REAL ID Act requirements at nuclear power plants until May 5, 2027.
After the NRC’s May 5, 2027, full enforcement date, State-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards must meet the requirements established in the REAL ID Act if they are to be considered valid and accepted by licensees, contractors, and vendors for the purposes of permitting entry into an NRC-licensed nuclear power plant (i.e., in accordance with applicable NRC access control and access authorization requirements).
NRC Information Notice 2025-02: Implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005 and Considerations for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nuclear Power Plant Licensees
This information notice (IN) reminded the holders of and applicants for power reactor operating licenses under 10 CFR Parts 50 and 52 about the REAL ID Act requirements pertaining to State-issued DL/IDs and applicable NRC regulations and guidance associated with personnel access authorization programs at nuclear power plants. This notice also conveyed the NRC’s decision to implement a phased enforcement plan, under which the NRC will begin full card-based enforcement of REAL ID Act requirements at nuclear power plants on May 5, 2027.
Real ID Act – NRC Frequently Asked Questions
Provides responses to stakeholder questions on the REAL ID Act requirements at nuclear power plants, including applicability to NRC regulations and guidance, DHS/TSA resources, and various personnel access authorization program implementation topics.
10/30/24 NRC Public Meeting Presentation, "The REAL ID Act: Implementation and Considerations for NRC Nuclear Power Plant Licensees"
Provides an overview of the REAL ID Act and considerations specific to the use of State-issued DL/IDs for verifying the identity of individuals entering nuclear power plants in the U.S., including what DL/IDs look like and other acceptable forms of ID. This public meeting was held to engage stakeholders during the development of IN 2025-02. The meeting transcript provides a complete record of the discussions at this public meeting, which included a question-and-answer session. (Note that this public meeting took place prior to the publication of the DHS/TSA final rule allowing the use of phased enforcement plans.)
NRC Phased Enforcement Plan
The January 14, 2025, DHS/TSA final rule requires each Federal agency that uses a phased enforcement plan to provide details of its phased enforcement plan on its public website. The final rule also requires agencies to coordinate their plans with DHS prior to publication. In April 2025, NRC staff met with TSA staff to discuss the NRC’s draft phased enforcement plan, and feedback from that discussion was considered in the development of the NRC’s final plan.