---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.5.9 (IA.L2-3.5.9): Temporary Passwords"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.5.9 Temporary Passwords: 1 SPRS point, allowed on a CMMC POA&M. The text, what assessors check and the evidence."
url: https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/identification-and-authentication/3.5.9
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/identification-and-authentication/3.5.9
records: 7
digest: sha3:3d9ab8fefd433ed4d46a122643b1055c3ef7a30871bcf9d3aa345b03e9a9e36a
---

# NIST 800-171 3.5.9 (IA.L2-3.5.9): Temporary Passwords

NIST 800-171 / Identification and Authentication / 3.5.9

"Allow temporary password use for system logons with an immediate change to a permanent password." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.5.9](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice IA.L2-3.5.9.

## What 3.5.9 means in practice

When an account is created or a password is reset with a temporary password, the user must replace it with a permanent one at the first sign-in. Identity providers and directories have a setting for this, and help desk procedures should use it every time.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: IA.L2-3.5.9
- **SPRS points**: 1 point. When it is not met, the DoD Assessment Methodology subtracts 1 from the score of 110.
- **CMMC POA&M**: Allowed. It is worth 1 point, and 32 CFR 170.21(a)(2)(ii) admits requirements worth 1 point. Conditional status also needs a score of at least 88, and the item must be closed within 180 days.

Sources: [NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Methodology, version 1.2.1 (June 24, 2020), Annex A](https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/cp/cyber/docs/safeguarding/NIST-SP-800-171-Assessment-Methodology-Version-1.2.1-6.24.2020.pdf); [32 CFR 170.21, Plan of Action and Milestones requirements](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/section-170.21).

## What an assessor checks for 3.5.9

NIST SP 800-171A gives one determination statement for 3.5.9.

- Determine if an immediate change to a permanent password is required when a temporary password is used for system logon.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.5.9](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.5.9 is met

- The account creation and password reset procedure.
- Identity provider or directory settings that force a change at the next sign-in.
- A sample of help desk tickets showing the forced change in use.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.5.9. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.5.9 and the other 109 requirements and see the score.](https://policycortex.com/sprs-score-calculator#family-IA)
- **Sample package**: [Sample package: an SSP, a POA&M and an evidence chain the product generated from demonstration data.](https://policycortex.com/sample-package)
- **Family**: [All 11 Identification and Authentication requirements (3.5).](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/identification-and-authentication)
- **Previous**: [3.5.8: Password Reuse](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/identification-and-authentication/3.5.8)
- **Next**: [3.5.10: Protected Passwords](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/identification-and-authentication/3.5.10)
- **All requirements**: [All 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements, by family.](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171)

Meet the requirement once. Keep the evidence current. [Request Access](https://app.policycortex.com/auth?mode=request-access) · [Book a call](https://policycortex.com/book)

## Register colophon

| Seq | Label | SHA3-256 | Prev |
|---|---|---|---|
| REC 0000 | REQUIREMENT | ce4e73033843 | 2f0632100d90 |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | 30f34577756d | ce4e73033843 |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | a34ec383b085 | 30f34577756d |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 82a3cd88af49 | a34ec383b085 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | d20219014cc3 | 82a3cd88af49 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | 998548c247cc | d20219014cc3 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | 3d9ab8fefd43 | 998548c247cc |

Head sha3:3d9ab8fefd433ed4d46a122643b1055c3ef7a30871bcf9d3aa345b03e9a9e36a. Each digest is SHA3-256 over the previous digest, the register key, the record label, and the record copy; a second party can recompute it from this document.