How do I create a CalNet ID? What are the requirements?

Welcome to Cal!

A CalNet ID is your unique username at UC Berkeley. Along with a CalNet passphrase, it allows you to access campus services and applications available to the campus community.

Key Information Before You Begin

• Email Address: Your CalNet ID will become the first part of your campus bMail address (e.g., oski.bear@berkeley.edu). Choose your ID carefully, as it is difficult to change later.
• Recovery Email: To claim a CalNet ID, you must have a non-berkeley.edu email address on your record. See: KB0015274 - Recovery Email Address.
• Terms of Service: By creating an account, you agree to the CalNet User Terms of Service.
• 2-Step Verification: All users are required to enroll in CalNet 2-Step immediately after creating or activating an account.

Eligibility: When and How to Get a CalNet ID

Students

Students are invited to create a CalNet ID by the Registrar once admitted.

• Undergraduate Admits: Check your Admissions Status portal for a link to CalCentral to begin the process.
• Graduate, Summer Sessions, and Concurrent Enrollment: Use mycalnet.berkeley.edu once you receive your invitation.
• CCES Students: Use the CCES Account Creation link provided to you to create your ID.
• Delegates: Students may issue delegate accounts for parents or guardians through CalCentral.
• Extension Students: Generally not eligible for CalNet IDs (excluding Fall Program for Freshmen).

Faculty, Staff, and Affiliates

Employees and affiliates are eligible as soon as their data is entered into the UCPath HR database.

1. Obtain your UCPath ID number from your supervisor or department.
2. Visit mycalnet.berkeley.edu.
3. Follow the prompts to claim your account. (Note: Entering your ID multiple times will not cause an error; it will simply resend the claim email.)

Visiting Scholars & Sponsored Guests

• Visiting Scholars: You must register with the VSPA office before obtaining an affiliate CalNet ID from your sponsoring department.
• Sponsored Guests: You must be invited by a campus employee. See KB0015299 - Sponsored Guests Information for details.

Alumni

Find out about options for alums in KB0014884 - Alumni CalNet Account Lifecycle.

CalNet ID Requirements & Recommendations

Recommendations

• Keep it short: You will be typing it often.
• Keep it professional: Your ID is the base for your campus email address.
• Make it yours: Since it serves as your username in collaboration systems, consider including part of your name.
• Keep it real: You may use a pseudonym for privacy, provided it does not constitute a false identity.
• Avoid sensitive data: Do not include birthdates or other identifying numbers (e.g., Oski1225).

Technical Requirements

• Must be between 2 and 19 characters in length.
• Must contain at least one lowercase English letter.
• No uppercase letters are allowed.
• Must NOT contain your Student, Employee, or Affiliate ID.
• Must not start with cads followed by a number.
• Must not start with restricted prefixes: pvt-, svc-, app-, app_, guest-, or spa-.
• Must not start or end with a hyphen (-) or period (.).
• Must not contain consecutive periods (..).
• Allowed characters: Lowercase letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), periods (.), underscores (_), and hyphens (-).
• Must not start with or contain uid followed by a number.

Troubleshooting and Next Steps

• Technical Support: For troubleshooting, please submit a support ticket or contact the Service Desk at itcshelp@berkeley.edu.
• Forgot Passphrase: If you have an ID but cannot log in, use thee Self-Service Passphrase Reset Tool.
• Cal1Card: For information on obtaining your physical campus ID card, see Cal1Card instructions.
• Leaving Berkeley: For information on account expiration and grace periods, see KB0014884 - CalNet Lifecycle Management.