Care Identity Service (CIS)

CIS allows health and social care workers to access the systems they need, including access to patient information and clinical data. 

CIS provides secure and auditable access to over 1.3 million health and social care workers at the point of need.

Each user needs:

• a Care Identity profile
• access positions assigned to that profile by a Registration Authority
• an authenticator - a device they use to log in

Access to CIS is controlled by local teams known as Registration Authorities, who make sure the right users have access to the right systems and data. Find out more about Registration Authorities.

See a full list of NHS and third-party applications that use CIS.

CIS is primarily for health and social care workers in England who need to access NHS or commercial software. With our agreement it can also be used in other territories, such as Wales and the Isle of Man.

You can directly access the different parts of Care Identity Service here:

• Apply for Care ID - enables staff to verify their own identity and create their own Care Identity profile
• Care Identity Management - the application Registration Authorities use to manage access for people with a Care Identity profile
• Self-service unlock smartcard - unlock your own smartcard without needing to find your Registration Authority

1. Software developers integrate CIS2 Authentication within their applications.

2. End user organisations prepare for CIS, including finding a Registration Authority and training IT support staff. 

3. The Registration Authority registers new users in Care Identity Management and sets up their access permissions.

4. Users sign in to CIS using their chosen authenticator to access the applications they need to do their work.

CIS is used in a variety of care settings for a wide range of uses. Examples include: 

• a paramedic using an iPad to access the National Care Records Service to check a patient’s summary care information
• a GP receptionist using GP software on a desktop PC to update a patient’s postal address in the Personal Demographics Service
• a pharmacist using pharmacy software to dispense prescriptions received from the Electronic Prescribing Service
• an administrator in a hospital using the e-Referral Service to manage referrals from primary care 
• a Registration Authority using the Care Identity Management application within CIS to register a new user so they can do one of the above

Care Identity Service has over 20 million authentications each month. It is used by 1.3 million health and social care workers, accessing many NHS England and third party systems that provide access to clinical data.

Authentication and access processes are being upgraded to from CIS1 Authentication to CIS2 Authentication as part of the move to internet-based access. 

CIS2 Authentication operates to a platinum service level, meaning it is available and supported 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. CIS1 Authentication operates to a silver service level.

Read more about our service levels.

For details on integrating healthcare applications with CIS, see:

• CIS2 Authentication - our secure authentication service
• Digital signing applications - for signing documents such as prescriptions
• Other APIs - for accessing information on healthcare workers, accredited systems and more

If you need help with your smartcard:

• you can unlock it using self-service unlock smartcard
• you can self-renew smartcard certificates that have not expired yet using Care Identity Management
• to renew expired certificates, or for any other smartcard help, you will need to contact your Registration Authority

To report a bug or issue, go to the NHS England Customer Portal or send an email to [email protected]

Problems with smartcards are almost always traced back to incorrect software or device setup. You will need to visit your IT team to help you, and refer them to this page. 

The following table shows how to contact us about this service.