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Quick guide to smartcards for Registration Authorities

Brief guidance for Registration Authorities on the key activities relating to managing users' smartcards.

Issue, repair, renew and cancel smartcards

Care Identity Management (CIM) is the service Registration Authorities use to manage smartcards.

Smartcard holders can unlock their own smartcards

If a smartcard holder has an email address associated with their Care Identity profile, they can unlock their own smartcard by visiting https://digital.nhs.uk/unlock

Add an email address to a Care Identity profile

If the user does not have a valid email address on their profile they will not be able to use the self-unlock application. To save them and yourself time, use CIM to add their email address.

The email you add must be on the email domain allow list.


Smartcard welcome leaflet

You can provide a welcome leaflet when you issue someone their first smartcard.

You should add your contact details as the user's Registration Authority on the front page of the leaflet.


When a user leaves your organisation

If they are staying in healthcare

They do not need to return their smartcard. It will still work when they join their new organisation.

If they are leaving healthcare

You should ask them to return their smartcard to you or their line manager.

Last edited: 15 January 2025 4:12 pm