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United States

Press credentials in the USA: New York, Washington and beyond

There is no national press card in the United States. Credentials are issued by the bodies that control access: New York City issues its own press card for crossing police and fire lines, the White House, Congress and the Pentagon accredit journalists separately, and leagues and event organisers credential media themselves. Membership organisations such as the National Writers Union issue press passes to their members.

This guide explains the most important US credentials, who qualifies and how to apply – and where an international press card such as the FJA card fits in for freelancers and online journalists.

Apply for the FJA press card International press card

At a glance

National press card: None – credentials are issued by individual agencies, organisers and employers
New York City: Free press card from the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment
Washington: White House, congressional galleries and Pentagon accredit separately
Membership passes: e.g. National Writers Union press pass for members
FJA card: International press ID, posted to the US for €6.99 – does not replace official US credentials

Why there is no national US press card

In the US, access is granted by whoever controls the place or event.

The National Press Photographers Association puts it plainly: there is no such thing as a universal press pass. Credentials for news coverage are usually issued by law enforcement or government agencies for their own areas, event credentials come from organisers, and one agency may not recognise the credentials of another. In practice, US journalists often carry several credentials: an employer ID or press card, a city or state press credential where one exists, and event passes for specific assignments.

Government access

City press cards, White House passes, congressional gallery credentials and Pentagon credentials – each with its own rules.

Event access

Leagues, teams, festivals and promoters decide who receives media credentials for their events.

Identification

Employer IDs, membership press passes and independent press cards help you identify yourself as a journalist.

New York City press card

The best-known city credential in the US, issued free of charge.

Who issues it and what it does

Since March 2022, NYC press cards have been issued by the Press Credentials Office of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), which took over from the NYPD. The city stresses that a press card is not required to gather news or work as a journalist in New York. It is needed to cross police and fire lines and other restrictions and to attend events sponsored by city government.

Who qualifies

Applicants must be at least 18 and members of the press – self-employed newspeople included. For a standard card, you need at least six published or broadcast works from the 24 months before applying that show in-person coverage, on separate days and in the five boroughs, of emergency, spot or breaking news or of public events with police or fire lines. You also need valid government photo ID.

Detail	NYC press card (as of October 2026)
Card types	Standard, Reserve (for newsgathering organisations) and Single Event
How to apply	Online through the city’s press card portal; office visits by appointment only
Decision	Within 30 days of a complete Standard or Reserve application
Fee	None
Validity	Standard and Reserve cards up to two years, expiring on 15 January of odd-numbered years; Single Event cards for the event or 24 hours
Renewal	Renewals for cards expiring on 15 January 2027 opened on 6 July 2026

Check the official MOME pages before applying – rules can change.

Washington: White House, Congress and the Pentagon

Federal access points each run their own accreditation.

White House

Journalists who cover the White House regularly can receive a “hard pass” after a background screening; occasional visitors use day passes. According to the White House Correspondents’ Association, hard passes are tied to criteria such as accreditation by the congressional galleries and regular White House coverage. Access rules were contested in 2026, so check the current position before relying on any criteria.

Congressional press galleries

Permanent accreditation for the Senate and House daily press galleries is decided by the elected Standing Committee of Correspondents. Applicants must be full-time, paid correspondents based in the Washington area, working for an editorially independent outlet, with no lobbying or PR work. Separate galleries exist for periodicals, radio and TV, and press photographers.

Pentagon

Regular media visitors to the Pentagon need a Pentagon Facility Alternative Credential, which the Department of Defense describes as a privilege. A revised media policy from March 2026 introduced escort requirements and has been the subject of litigation, so the current rules should be checked directly.

Press passes from membership organisations

Several organisations issue IDs to their members – each with its own conditions.

Organisation	What it offers	Conditions (as of October 2026)
National Writers Union (NWU)	Press pass for members; an international pass in IFJ format is also available	Active membership plus recent published work (e.g. three pieces in two years); domestic pass $59, valid two years and one week
National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)	Member photo ID	For members in good standing, for identification purposes only
State and local press associations	Regional press IDs, e.g. the New Jersey chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists	Rules vary by organisation

Membership IDs identify you; they do not grant access to restricted areas on their own.

Sports, concerts and other events

Event credentials are always decided by the organiser.

Professional leagues, teams, festivals and promoters run their own media credential processes. The NFL, for example, describes its credentials as privileged and revocable, non-transferable and for editorial use only; teams typically require requests from an assigning editor at an outlet that covers them regularly and decide case by case. For concerts and festivals, the artist’s publicist or the festival press team handles requests – see media pass and press passes for sporting events.

Recording in public: a note on your rights

Your rights do not depend on a press card.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the First Amendment protects the right to photograph and record police officers performing their duties in public. Unless you are under arrest, officers generally need a warrant to confiscate your device or look at its contents, and they may not delete your photos or videos. These rights apply to everyone, not only to credentialed journalists – but a visible press credential can make interactions calmer and help officers recognise your role.

Where the FJA press card fits for US journalists

An independent, verifiable press ID – not a replacement for official US credentials.

What it is useful for

Identifying yourself as a working journalist in interviews and with press offices
Supporting accreditation requests alongside your published work
Working abroad, with an English-language card that can be verified online
Freelancers and online journalists without an employer ID

What it does not do

It is not an NYC press card and does not let you cross police or fire lines in New York
It does not replace White House, congressional or Pentagon credentials
It gives no right to access, accreditation or discounts

Cards are posted to the US for €6.99; delivery usually takes 14–18 working days after payment, plus longer transit times for distant destinations.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an official US press card?

No. There is no national press card in the United States. Credentials are issued by individual agencies, organisers and employers, and each recognises only its own.

How do I get a press pass in New York City?

Apply online to the Press Credentials Office of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. For a standard card you need six published or broadcast works from the last 24 months showing in-person coverage of breaking news or events with police or fire lines in the five boroughs. The card is free.

Do I need a press card to work as a journalist in the US?

No. Journalism does not require a licence or card. Credentials only matter for access to restricted places and events.

Can freelancers get NYC press credentials?

Yes. The city’s definition of a member of the press includes self-employed newspeople, provided they meet the evidence requirements.

How do journalists get into the White House?

Regular White House reporters can apply for a hard pass, which involves a background screening; occasional visitors use day passes. Rules and access arrangements have changed and been contested in 2026, so check the current position.

Who issues press passes for congressional coverage?

The congressional press galleries. Permanent accreditation for the daily galleries is decided by the elected Standing Committee of Correspondents; separate galleries cover periodicals, radio and TV, and photographers.

Can I use the FJA press card in the United States?

Yes, as an independent press ID that can be verified online. It does not replace official US credentials such as the NYC press card, and organisers decide whether to accept it.

How much does postage to the US cost for the FJA card?

€6.99. Delivery usually takes 14–18 working days after payment, plus transit time.

Sources and last review

NYC MOME – Press card – purpose, fee, validity, renewal
NYC MOME – Press card application – eligibility and card types
NYC MOME – Press Credentials Office FAQ (PDF) – freelancers, ID, processing time
NYC MOME – Press Credentials Office launch (March 2022)
White House Correspondents’ Association – Covering the White House – hard pass and day pass
White House – press release, 21 September 2026 – access policy
Senate Press Gallery – Standing Committee of Correspondents
Senate Press Gallery – Gallery rules – eligibility
House Periodical Press Gallery – Accreditation
Department of Defense – Revised media policy (PDF, March 2026) – Pentagon credential
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press – NYT v. Department of Defense – litigation
National Writers Union – Press passes
NPPA – Member photo ID – no universal press pass
NFL – Media credentials
ACLU – Recording and documenting police – rights when recording in public

Last reviewed: October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.