Security Badging
Security Badge Application Process
Security Badges at Portland International Airport (PDX) are issued by the Security Badging Office. We have created the Question & Answer list below to assist you in understanding the basic process for applying for a PDX Security Badge.
Directions from the terminal:
- Take the South Tunnel, located between bag claim areas 3 and 4. You're in the correct tunnel if you see movie posters lined down the wall. About halfway down the tunnel, you will see a set of escalators and stairs with signage to Security Badging Office.
- Go up the escalator or stairs to the ground level, follow the covered walkway and then go towards your right to enter the building.
- Take the elevator to the 4 th floor.
- As you exit the elevator, the Security Badging Office will be down the hall to your left. Signs will direct you.
- Access to the building will be restricted to business hours of 7:45am – 4:00pm.
Directions from the Short-Term (P1) parking garage:
- Take the 'CRAB' elevators located in the SE corner of the Short-Term (P1) parking garage and press “T” for the Tunnel.
- Exit the elevator core and walk across the tunnel to the escalator or stairs leading to Security Badging Office.
- Go up the escalator or stairs to the ground level, follow the covered walkway and then go towards your right to enter the building.
- Take the elevator to the 4 th floor.
- As you exit the elevator, the Security Badging Office will be down the hall to your left. Signs will direct you.
- Access to the building will be restricted to business hours of 7:45am – 4:00pm.
All companies that are approved to have Security Badges at PDX have at least one employee who is designated as their company Authorized Signatory for Security Badges. Employees must contact their company’s Authorized Signatory for information and direction on the Security Badge application process for their company. If you don’t know who your company’s Authorized Signatory is, check with your HR Department or your supervisor.
If your company is new to PDX and requires a PDX Security Badge, please refer to the following contact information for guidance on the authorization process for obtaining badges at PDX.
New & Current Concessionaires:
Contact the Port of Portland Concessions Team at ConcessionsOps@portofportland.com for any new airport concessionaire, or for any current concessionaire needing to sponsor a new vendor.
Current Tenants:
Contact the Port of Portland Air Carrier & Terminal Leasing Team at PDXBusiness&PropertiesDept@portofportland.com for any current tenant (not a Concessionaire) who needs to sponsor a vendor for PDX badges to support your business.
Law Enforcement Agencies:
Direct all requests for PDX security badges to the Port of Portland Police Admin Team at policeadco@portofportland.com
Port Construction Projects:
The Port of Portland Construction Admin Team manager for the project is responsible for initiating the PDX Badge Authorization process for all Port of Portland Construction projects.
Tenant Construction Projects:
Contact the Site & Facility Design Team at TenantImprovements@portofportland.com to initiate the PDX Badge Authorization process for all tenant construction projects.
Federal regulations require badge applicants to present specific identification documents to the Security Badging Office when applying for a Security Badge. Your Authorized Signatory will provide you with a list of the acceptable types of identification documents. You may also click on the link below under FORMS titled Acceptable ID Documents.
You are required to obtain approval from your company’s Authorized Signatory before your Security Badge can be renewed. Employees must contact their company’s Authorized Signatory for approval and instructions for renewing their Security Badge. If you don’t know who your company’s Authorized Signatory is, check with your HR Department or your supervisor.
Employee Screening Frequently Asked Questions
Employee screening begins in September 2026. As we get closer, we’re sharing answers common questions and keep you in the loop. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Let us know.
The Need-To-Knows
Employee screening at PDX is expected to begin in September 2026.
At PDX, safety and security guide everything we do. To strengthen this commitment, we are implementing employee screening – a proactive approach to managing risks at PDX. With employee screening, our goal is to go beyond compliance and build a strong, collaborative security culture that protects everyone who works at or travels through PDX.
The employee checkpoints are located on the north and south sides, in roughly the same areas you currently use to get to the employee bypass doors.
After you swipe your badge, you’ll place any bulky items or bags in a bin to go through the x-ray. No need to remove your shoes, belts, or outerwear.
The screening officer will direct you to go through the scanner – you’ll walk through normally, no stopping, no raising your arms. If you’re cleared, you’re good to go.
If you’re not cleared, you’ll be shown the flagged area and can either remove the item and try again or go to TSA for possible secondary screening.
Only if TSA needs to do secondary screening (see “What is the employee screening process like?” for reasons why that may occur).
Use passenger exit lanes or designated bypass doors – not the employee screening checkpoints.
Yes, employees must be screened each time they enter the restricted area.
More info coming soon!
Timing Your Trip
Based on current traffic we expect steady, moderate flow daily from 3:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Peak rush times from 5:00 – 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
From badge swipe to exiting the scanner, it should only take about 2 minutes. The line wait time will vary, but in general it shouldn’t impact your time, especially once everyone is familiar with the process.
Factors like storing items, re-scanning, and getting sent to the TSA checkpoint can increase this and time will vary based on the circumstance.
Yes, but only if you haven’t already scanned your badge at the employee checkpoint line. Once you’ve swiped at the employee checkpoint, you must finish there.
What can I bring?
Yes! But they need to be in sealed or spill-proof containers. If your beverage isn’t in a spill-proof container, you’ll have to transfer your beverage into one before screening or discard it.
Containers may be opened (with gloves) for testing. You can ask screeners to use fresh gloves before handling food or drinks.
Tip: PDX concessions that will pour your beverage into your reusable, sealable container: Portland Coffee Roasters, The Country Cat, and Loyal Legion.
Same rules as drinks: Any liquid food items need to be in sealed or spill-proof containers. If it isn’t in a spill-proof container, you’ll have to transfer it into one before screening or discard it.
Containers may be opened (with gloves) for testing. You can ask screeners to use fresh gloves before handling food or drinks.
If your lunch is flagged, screening staff may handle it (with gloves) and possibly open it for testing. You can always ask for new gloves to be used.
Yes – if it’s all one piece, has a blunt/rounded tip, and is only serrated on one side. (Think butter knife)
Yes – things like EpiPens, inhalers, glucose monitors, insulin, etc., are permitted. These items must go through the x-ray. Medication is recommended to be in original containers and should be declared prior to screening.
Yes – if you need them for legitimate work that day. All tools are subject to screening and Aviation Security makes the final call on what’s allowed.
It will get a physical inspection at the employee checkpoint – allow extra time if you have over-sized items.
Currently, no. We are working on a future solution, but at this time all legal personal protective items will be prohibited through employee screening.
Undeclared prohibited items will result in a security violation. Items that are illegal are a security violation, whether declared or not.
Other Circumstances
Some employees will be redirected to TSA for screening. If you use a wheelchair or have an item that always gets flagged, TSA may be your default screening point – you can use the TSA priority employee lane.
Refusing screening is a Class III Security Violation. Meaning, yes, you must go through screening to access post-security areas of PDX.
Certain operational personnel and emergency responders may be exempt.
Escorted visitors must go through screening just like employees, and their registration number must be shown to screening staff.
Personnel accessing via airside will continue being screened at midfield checkpoints as they are today. Employees entering the terminal from landside areas will need to go through employee screening.
No, you must use a TSA passenger checkpoint, even for work travel.
Coordinate ahead with your Port of Portland contact and get Airport Security approval.