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The UK Press Card explained: UK Press Card Authority, gatekeepers and alternatives

The UK Press Card is the press card of the UK Press Card Authority (UKPCA), a voluntary scheme owned by major UK media organisations, unions and professional bodies. It is issued through 22 gatekeepers to professional newsgatherers working in the UK and is the press card formally recognised by UK police forces.

If you qualify, it is the most useful press card for newsgathering in the UK. If you do not – because you work part-time, online or mainly abroad – an association card such as the FJA press card can be an alternative. This page explains both, without spin.

Compare UK press cards FJA press card requirements

At a glance

Issuer: UK Press Card Authority Ltd, via 22 gatekeepers
For whom: Professional newsgatherers working in the UK
Validity: Up to two years, then renewal via the gatekeeper
Cost: Set by each gatekeeper; often tied to membership
Recognition: Recognised by the National Police Chiefs’ Council for UK forces

What is the UK Press Card Authority?

A self-regulatory scheme run by the media industry, not by the state.

The UK Press Card Authority Ltd is wholly owned and controlled by UK media organisations, industry associations, trade unions and professional associations. The national scheme dates back to 1992. It was set up so that police and other officials could recognise genuine newsgatherers without the state licensing journalists – police forces, as the UKPCA’s own history notes, should not appear to be licensing journalists.

The UKPCA does not issue cards itself. It sets the rules, owns the card design and approves the gatekeepers that check applicants and issue cards. On the back of the card is a statement that the National Police Chiefs’ Council recognises the holder as a bona fide newsgatherer.

Who issues the UK Press Card? The 22 gatekeepers

You apply to the gatekeeper that matches your employer, union or specialism.

Unions and professional bodies

NUJ
CIoJ
BAJ
BECTU
BPPA
Foreign Press Association
GTC
NAPA
CPNA
EVCOM

Media employers and associations

BBC
ITV
ITN
Channel 4
Sky News
STV
GB News
Thomson Reuters
Local TV Network
British Forces Broadcasting Service
News Media Association
PPA

Source: UKPCA list of gatekeepers, October 2026. The NUJ says it issues more than half of the cards in circulation.

Who can get a UK Press Card?

The scheme is designed for people whose work requires them to identify themselves in public as newsgatherers.

Eligible

The scheme rules define an eligible newsgatherer as someone working professionally as a media worker in the UK, whose work is wholly or significantly concerned with gathering or processing information or images for publication, and who needs to identify themselves in public or to official services. Reporters, photographers, camera operators and broadcast crews are typical holders.

Usually not eligible

Gatekeepers apply the rules in their own way. The BAJ does not issue cards to vloggers, bloggers or social media influencers; the BPPA only accepts professional news photographers; the NUJ excludes roles such as page designers. Many part-time and hobby journalists therefore fall outside the scheme, even if they publish regularly.

How to apply and what it costs

Fees and evidence vary by gatekeeper.

Gatekeeper	Typical evidence	Cost
NUJ	Membership plus eligibility under the scheme rules	Card free for eligible members; full membership £18.85–£32 a month
CIoJ	Full or trainee membership	Included; £16.50 or £8.25 a month
BAJ	Published, paid, credited work and an editor’s letter	£39.50 (members) or £87 + £20 (non-members), 2 years
BPPA	Professional news photography	£50 admin fee plus membership or equivalent fee

Sources: gatekeeper websites, October 2026. Renewals go back to the gatekeeper that issued the card; cards must be renewed at least every two years. Nobody may hold more than one UK Press Card.

The UKPCA warning about paid press cards – and our position

The UKPCA criticises companies that sell cards with claims of special advantages or VIP status. We think that criticism is fair.

The UKPCA says on its website that the UK Press Card grants no special rights over any other member of the public, and it warns against organisations that sell “press cards” for a fee and promise privileges. We agree with both points. No card – ours included – creates rights of access, free entry or discounts.

The FJA press card is therefore positioned differently: it is an association ID for people who work journalistically and want a verifiable card without joining a union. We state clearly that it is not the UK Press Card, does not carry the UKPCA design and is not part of UK police guidance. Every application is checked, every card can be verified online, and our contact and company details are published in the legal notice. If you qualify for the UK Press Card, we recommend you get it.

UK Press Card vs FJA press card

Two different tools for different people.

	UK Press Card	FJA press card
Purpose	ID for professional newsgatherers in the UK	ID for anyone working journalistically, including part-time and online
Issued through	22 gatekeepers	Freelance Journalists Association
Membership	Usually required	Not required
Income criteria	Varies; NUJ full membership: half of earned income from journalism	None
Police recognition	Recognised by UK police forces	Not part of police guidance
Validity	Up to 2 years	12, 24 or 36 months
Use abroad	Designed for the UK	English-language card with international design

Frequently asked questions

What is the UK Press Card?

It is the press card of the UK Press Card Authority, issued through 22 gatekeepers to professional newsgatherers working in the UK. It is recognised by the National Police Chiefs’ Council for UK police forces.

How do I get a UK Press Card?

Apply to the gatekeeper that matches your work – your union, employer or professional body. The UKPCA does not accept applications directly.

How much does a UK Press Card cost?

It depends on the gatekeeper. The NUJ issues it free to eligible members; the BAJ charges £39.50 to members and £87 plus a £20 admin fee to non-members for two years.

Can freelancers get a UK Press Card?

Yes, if they work professionally as newsgatherers and meet the gatekeeper’s criteria. Many freelancers get it through the NUJ, CIoJ, BAJ or BPPA.

Can bloggers get a UK Press Card?

Usually not. The BAJ explicitly excludes bloggers, vloggers and influencers, and the scheme is aimed at professional newsgatherers. Bloggers who publish regularly can apply for the FJA press card.

Is the FJA press card a UK Press Card?

No. It is an association press card issued by the Freelance Journalists Association. It does not carry the UKPCA design and is not part of the UKPCA scheme.

How long is a UK Press Card valid?

Up to two years. Gatekeepers such as the BPPA and BAJ issue cards for two years, after which you renew through the same gatekeeper.

Does the UK Press Card give special rights?

No. The UKPCA itself says the card grants no special rights or privileges over any other member of the public. It helps police and officials recognise you as a newsgatherer.

Is the UK Press Card Authority a press regulator?

No. The UK Press Card Authority runs the UK Press Card scheme through its gatekeepers; it does not regulate what publishers print. Press regulation is handled by IPSO, Impress and – for broadcasting – Ofcom. See press regulation in the UK.

What does a press card look like?

Professional press cards show the holder’s name and photo, the issuer, a card number, an expiry date and a way to verify them. See our press card sample for the elements explained.

Sources and last review

Written and reviewed by the FJA editorial team. Last reviewed: 23 October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.