Do not punch a hole in your ID card. Puncturing the card will cause damage to the embedded antenna and/or chip which will result in deactivation of the card.

Cards that are cared for properly should last for several years.  You should exercise the same care for your Iowa One Card/UI Health Care Badge as you would a credit or debit card.

​Cards replaced due to improper use/care (see examples below) will result in the assessment of a replacement fee which will be charged to the U-Bill for students and will be payroll deducted for faculty/staff. 

Damaged Card

"Worn out" cards are damaged through "normal wear and tear" and will be replaced at no charge if the damaged card is surrendered at time of replacement. Damage from normal wear and tear includes damage caused by swiping the card through card reader devices.  Examples of this type of damage may include:

  • Horizontal wear on the magnetic stripe
  • Horizontal breakage of the card along the magnetic stripe

​Improper Use/Care

A replacement fee will be charged for cards that have become damaged due to misuse or improper care. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Vertical/horizontal gouges or scratches on magnetic stripe
  • Bent or curling cards
  • Vertical break of card or jagged vertical/horizontal break
  • Abnormal marks including teeth marks
  • Equipment damage (such as from a washer or dryer)

DO NOT:

  • Store your card on the back of your phone
    • Keep it away from wireless phone charges and contactless payment readers
  • Punch a hole in the ID card
  • Put a magnet next to your card
  • Bend your card
  • Use your card as a tool or device for which it is not intended
    • For example, do not use your card as an ice scraper