Feb 12, 2025
Beginning May 7, 2025, the REAL ID Act goes into effect. At that time, U.S. citizens 18 years of age or older will be required to have a REAL ID to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities, including nuclear power plants.
TVA will begin implementing REAL ID requirements at non-nuclear sites in a phased approach with full implementation required by May 5, 2027.
Due to specific callouts for nuclear sites, TVA nuclear will fully implement REAL ID-compliant identification requirements on May 7, 2025, and additional communication and requirements are being shared with Nuclear employees and contractors.
Here’s what you need to know about how the REAL ID Act will affect non-nuclear operations at TVA:
Employees, contractors and vendors with a TVA badge are encouraged to acquire REAL ID-compliant state identification but are not required to have REAL ID to enter TVA buildings.
- All employees and contractors with a TVA issued credential (employee badge) will continue to have access to TVA facilities.
- Beginning May 7, 2025, a REAL ID is required for all domestic flights. To avoid impacts to official TVA business, employees and contractors are encouraged to acquire REAL ID-compliant state identification for air travel or provide an acceptable alternative. Visit REAL ID | Homeland Security for the full list of alternatives.
- New hires are allowed to use non-compliant state-issued IDs for employment, as TVA’s background investigation process confirms identification beyond what REAL ID requires.
Contractors, vendors and visitors without a TVA badge will be required to provide REAL ID-compliant identification.
- Contractors and visitors attempting to access non-nuclear facilities without REAL ID-compliant identification will receive a warning until May 5, 2027; a secondary ID or personal verification may still be required for access. No admittance will be allowed after May 5, 2027, without REAL ID-compliant identification.
- All other requirements for visitor access remain in effect, including escort requirements and requirements for international visitors.
Deliveries to TVA will not require REAL ID-compliant identification if they can provide TVA-approved alternatives.
- Agents of parcel companies (UPS, USPS, FedEx, etc.) making deliveries to TVA facilities will not be required to provide compliant ID if their employment with the delivery company can be substantiated.
- Commercial delivery agents coming to TVA facilities are allowed entry with a compliant state ID or any valid CDL license.
You can learn more about the REAL ID Act here and find more information about how REAL ID is impacting TVA on TVAP’s SharePoint or in TVA-SPP-14.200.
Find more information about REAL ID in your state below: