Know your Press Card Personal Identification Code

A UK press card is an essential form of identification for any working journalist. If you are a cardholder it is important that you know your personal identification code (PIC) to identify you as a legitimate UK press cardholder. The PIC is one of the security features used by the UK Press Card authority for this purpose.

The PIC allows anyone to verify that the card is genuine and that the holder is a bona fide newsgatherer by calling the hotline number: 0870 8376477 (Some older cards may carry an 0207 230 number, which is being phased out.)

The cards also have several secret security features in addition to the verification hotline. These are only revealed to the police or similar authorities. They are produced using similar technology to the photo-driving license, with the photograph and design integrated into the structure of the card.

Press cards are recognised by the Association of Chief Police Officers for England and Wales (ACPO), and by its sister organisation in Scotland, ACPOS.

Every card carries the logo of the issuing organisation or the holder's employer, together with the holder's name, and the card serial number.

The Newspaper Society is one of the gatekeepers of the UK press card scheme and issues press cards to Journalists, photographers and freelance newsgatherers working for the regional press.