Verkada Compatible Access Cards: Legacy Prox Mode Explained

Verkada readers support standard 26-bit H10301 proximity cards in legacy prox mode — not just Verkada’s own encrypted credentials. American Key Cards supplies compatible standard prox cards and key fobs for Verkada installations running in that mode, compatible by specification with the open Wiegand format that Verkada readers accept. Verkada’s proprietary encrypted credentials are a different story: those use MIFARE DESFire EV3 with end-to-end encryption and cannot be sourced from any third party, including us. This guide explains both scenarios clearly so you know exactly what you can order and what you cannot. Full format specifications are on our Verkada Access Credentials format page.

What Credential Types Do Verkada Systems Support?

Verkada’s access control platform is cloud-managed through the Verkada Command dashboard and supports two distinct credential modes on its door readers:

Verkada encrypted credentials — The AC41-C badge card, AC41-F key fob, and AC42-C dual-tech card use NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 chips with a proprietary Verkada application layer. Communication between card and reader uses Secure Channel OSDP v2 with end-to-end encryption. These credentials are issued and managed exclusively through Verkada. No third party can produce them.

Standard proximity credentials — Verkada readers also accept standard 125 kHz Wiegand proximity cards and 13.56 MHz MIFARE credentials via their Wiegand interface. In practice, the most common legacy prox mode configuration is standard 26-bit H10301: facility code 1–255, card number 1–65,535. This is the open, non-proprietary format that American Key Cards programs and supplies.

Understanding which mode your system uses is the first step before ordering any replacement cards.

Verkada OEM Part Numbers

Verkada’s own credential lineup for reference:

OEM Part Number	Description	Technology
AC41-C	Verkada encrypted badge card	DESFire EV3, proprietary application
AC41-F	Verkada encrypted key fob	DESFire EV3, proprietary application
AC42-C	Dual-tech card (encrypted + prox)	DESFire EV3 + 125 kHz prox
Standard prox	Any 26-bit H10301 card	125 kHz, open Wiegand format

American Key Cards supplies compatible cards and fobs for the standard prox mode only. We are not affiliated with Verkada and do not produce AC41-C, AC41-F, or AC42-C credentials — those require enrollment through Verkada directly.

Which Verkada Readers Accept Standard Prox Cards?

The following Verkada door readers support standard Wiegand proximity input when configured appropriately in Verkada Command:

• Verkada PD40 — The most widely deployed Verkada door reader; supports 26-bit H10301 in standard prox mode
• Verkada PD60 — Long-read-range reader; same credential support in prox mode
• Verkada PD30 — Compact reader; standard Wiegand prox support available

When Verkada hardware is configured to accept standard proximity credentials, the reader behaves identically to any other Wiegand 26-bit reader on the market. The card communicates at 125 kHz, the reader decodes the facility code and card number, and the Wiegand data stream is passed to the Verkada panel for a credential lookup against the Verkada Command database.

Before ordering replacement cards, verify in Verkada Command that the relevant door reader is configured to accept standard prox credentials. Verkada’s default configuration pushes users toward encrypted credentials, so legacy prox mode must be explicitly enabled.

Honest Assessment: Encrypted vs. Standard Prox on Verkada

This is where clarity matters most. The two credential types used on Verkada hardware are not interchangeable in terms of security, and the difference is significant.

Attribute	Verkada Encrypted (AC41-C)	Standard 26-Bit Prox
Chip	NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3	Standard 125 kHz prox IC
Frequency	13.56 MHz	125 kHz
Bit format	Proprietary encrypted application	26-bit H10301 Wiegand
Encryption	End-to-end AES, OSDP v2 Secure Channel	None
Cloneable	No — not by any known method	Yes — with commercial RFID tools
Third-party supply	No	Yes — American Key Cards
Verkada Command features	Full — antipassback, video link, audit trails	Basic — entry/exit only

If your site currently uses standard prox cards with Verkada hardware and you are satisfied with that level of security, compatible replacement cards from American Key Cards are a practical, lower-cost option for ongoing reorders. If your site has migrated to Verkada encrypted credentials and a card is lost or damaged, the only path is re-enrollment through Verkada — no aftermarket supplier can help with that, and any vendor claiming otherwise should be treated with skepticism.

What the Standard 26-Bit Format Actually Is

Standard 26-bit H10301 is the most widely deployed proximity card format in North America. It transmits a 125 kHz radio signal to the reader carrying two data fields: a facility code (also called a site code) between 1 and 255, and a card number between 1 and 65,535.

The chip is a passive RFID transponder — no battery, no internal processing beyond broadcasting its stored data when powered by the reader’s field. The format is publicly documented and not proprietary to any manufacturer. Dozens of access control brands use it, which is why a Verkada reader in standard prox mode reads the same credential format that works in a DoorKing gate, a Kantech EntraPass panel, or a Continental Access CA4K system.

Because the format is open and unencrypted, standard 26-bit H10301 cards can be reproduced by anyone who knows the facility code and card number. This is a security consideration worth understanding before deciding which credential mode to operate. It is also why compatible aftermarket cards are available: the format specification is open, and programming a card to it requires no licensed technology or manufacturer cooperation.

How to Confirm Your Verkada System Is Using Standard Prox

If you are not certain whether your Verkada deployment is using encrypted or standard prox credentials, the fastest confirmation methods are:

Check your existing cards — Verkada encrypted credentials (AC41-C, AC41-F) will have the Verkada logo or part number printed on them. Standard proximity cards will typically show a two-number combination on the label (the facility code and card number), and will not carry Verkada branding.

Check Verkada Command — In the Verkada Command dashboard, navigate to Access > Credentials. The credential type assigned to each user shows whether it is a Verkada encrypted badge or a proximity card number. If you see standard Wiegand facility code and card number fields, the system is in standard prox mode.

Check the reader configuration — Under Access > Doors in Verkada Command, the credential type settings per door will show which formats the reader is accepting.

If you still cannot determine the credential type, contact your original installer or reach out to us — we can help you interpret the card label data or walk through the Verkada Command configuration with you.

What Information You Need to Order

If your system is in standard prox mode and you need replacement cards or fobs, gather the following before ordering:

Facility code — A number between 1 and 255. It is typically printed on your existing card label (often the first or smaller of the two printed numbers), available in Verkada Command under the credential record, or on file with your installer.

Card number or range — The specific card numbers you need programmed. If you are replacing a lost card, you need that card’s number. For a batch order for new employees, specify the range you want assigned.

Form factor — Clamshell cards or key fobs. Both are available programmed to the same facility code and card number parameters.

Quantity — No minimum order requirement applies at American Key Cards. You can order a single replacement card or a batch of 200.

For a full walkthrough of the ordering process, see our how it works page.

Related Formats Worth Knowing

If your building uses Verkada for video security but a different access control panel manufacturer for the access control layer, the credential format is determined by the access controller, not the Verkada reader. Two common platforms deployed alongside Verkada hardware worth understanding:

Our Brivo compatible access card guide covers a similar dual-credential situation: Brivo ACS panels also support both an encrypted smart credential and standard 26-bit prox cards, and the same distinction applies.

For sites where HID proximity is the credential of record on a Wiegand input alongside Verkada hardware, our HID iCLASS SE format overview explains what separates secured smart credentials from standard prox — directly relevant to the decision of whether to stay on standard prox or upgrade.

Why Non-OEM Cards Cost Less in Standard Prox Mode

For the standard 26-bit H10301 credential format, the underlying component is a commodity 125 kHz proximity IC manufactured at scale. Verkada does not supply these cards — they recommend their own encrypted credentials for ongoing use and license the standard prox compatibility for legacy or transitional deployments.

American Key Cards sources compatible proximity components directly and programs them in-house to your facility code and card number range. There is no dealer channel, no distributor markup, and no minimum order. The price difference compared to OEM-channel sourcing is material, particularly for bulk replacement orders.

For Verkada encrypted credentials (AC41-C, AC41-F, AC42-C), the economics are different: those are proprietary and must come from Verkada, with no alternative. That is an honest constraint, not a competitive advantage we can work around.

Ordering Verkada-Compatible Standard Prox Cards

To order compatible standard 26-bit H10301 cards or fobs for your Verkada installation, visit our contact page. Include your facility code, the card number range you need, your preferred form factor, and the quantity. We will confirm that your Verkada system is configured for standard prox mode, program the order to your specification, and ship credentials ready for immediate enrollment in Verkada Command.

We do not require a dealer account, installer affiliation, or minimum quantity. If you are unsure about your credential type or Verkada Command configuration, include that question when you reach out — we are glad to help you confirm compatibility before an order is placed.