NIH Visitor Information
Lister Hill Auditorium is located on NIH campus. For a map, general information and directions to and around NIH campus please Click Here.

NIH Security

The National Institutes of Health, like all Federal Government facilities, has instituted security measures to ensure the safety of NIH employees, patients, and visitors. The national threat advisory level, determined by the Department of Homeland Security (http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/), is Yellow (elevated).

Perimeter Security

All visitor vehicles will be inspected. Visitors must show one (1) form of identification (a government-issued photo ID - driver's license, passport, green card, etc.)

All visitor vehicles, including taxicabs, hotel and airport shuttles, delivery trucks and vans will be inspected before being allowed on campus. Visitors will be asked 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. Be sure to allow extra time for this vehicle inspection procedure.

Building Security

Due to the checking of IDs at the perimeter, employees and visitors will not be required to show their ID again to gain access to the majority of buildings on the NIH Bethesda campus during the normal business day.

Employees and visitors should continue to wear their identification prominently at all times while on campus.

Guards will remain at certain buildings to address specific program requirements such as sensitive research and safety concerns. At building entrances where guards are posted:

• Employees must show a DHHS-issued photo ID (for example, your NIH-issued ID badge).

• Visitors may be required to log in, wear a visitors pass and have an employee escort them through the building.

• Visitors may be required to pass through a metal detector and have bags, backpacks or purses inspected or x-rayed as they enter buildings.

• Security staff will be looking for and confiscating any suspicious or potentially dangerous materials. U.S. Code prohibits bringing any dangerous weapons onto Federal property, including anything with a blade longer than 2 ½ inches. Meeting participants may want to leave extra bags or personal materials at their hotel to minimize the time needed for inspection.

Weekday Campus Access:

Visitors, including patients, contractors, and vendors: All visitors including patients, contractors, vendors and delivery persons must use the following entrances (see the Visitor Map):

• Rockville Pike at South Drive (Metro): Regular weekday schedule: Open 24 hours - Inbound and Outbound traffic

• Old Georgetown Road at Center Drive: (This entrance is primarily for commercial vehicles and visitors)
  Regular weekday schedule:
  5 am to 2 pm - Inbound traffic only
  2 pm to 7 pm - Inbound and Outbound traffic
  7 pm to 5 am - Closed to all traffic