--- title: Activate or deactivate a PaCE policy description: You can activate or deactivate any PaCE policy. Only activated policies can validate object \(tables and document IDs\) changes. Deactivated policies are not executed, even if the policy is mapped. Deactivating a policy enables you to place the policy into a maintenance-like mode. locale: en-US canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/servicenow-platform/policy-as-code-engine-pace/pace-deactivate-policy.html release: australia product: Policy as Code Engine \(PaCE\) classification: policy-as-code-engine-pace topic_type: task last_updated: "2026-03-12" reading_time_minutes: 2 breadcrumb: [Manage PaCE policies, Administer PaCE policies, Policy as Code Engine \(PaCE\), Extend ServiceNow AI Platform capabilities] --- # Activate or deactivate a PaCE policy You can activate or deactivate any PaCE policy. Only activated policies can validate object \(tables and document IDs\) changes. Deactivated policies are not executed, even if the policy is mapped. Deactivating a policy enables you to place the policy into a maintenance-like mode. ## Before you begin Role required: sn\_pace.policy\_editor ## About this task You can deactivate or activate any policy at any time. For activated policies: - The policy must include a Current \(published\) version. For more information, see [Manage PaCE policy versions](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/servicenow-platform/policy-as-code-engine-pace/pace-policy-versions.md). - The policy is auto-validated when you activate it \(if the policy has mapping inputs defined\). Validation verifies the validity of mapping inputs, and checks that all required inputs were set. For more information, see the Validate mapping inputs section. Deactivating a policy enables you to place the policy into a maintenance-like mode. You can make changes, safe in the knowledge that no one is using the policy. While deactivated, the policy mappings are kept, but the policy cannot be executed. After you are done with any changes, you can reactivate the policy and any existing mappings are reused. **Note:** The activation or deactivation of a policy is audited for tracking purposes. This audit information is included in the standard ServiceNow AI Platform auditing records. ## Procedure 1. Navigate to **All** > **Policies** > **My Policies**. **Note:** To view all policies generated by admin/other users, navigate to **Policies** > **All Policies**. 2. Select the check box next to the policy that you want to activate or deactivate. **Note:** To activate a policy, its current state must be \[Omitted image "pace-inactive-icon.jpg"\] Alt text: Policy Inactive state. To deactivate a policy, its current state must be \[Omitted image "pace-active-icon.jpg"\] Alt text: Policy Active state. You can select multiple policies, as required. 3. Activate or deactivate the selected policy.

Task	Description
Activate a policy	1. Select an inactive policy and click Activate. Note: If there is no Current \(published\) version for the selected policy, you must first publish a version before activating. For more information about publishing a policy version, see the Managing policy versions section. 2. In the displayed confirmation message, click Activate. Validation of the activated policy and its associated mapping inputs is performed automatically. In addition, the policy is added to the list of active policies in the All Policies page. Note: If the mapping inputs are invalid, you are redirected to the Mappings tab to define valid mapping inputs. For example, you can define required mapping inputs that do not include default values. 3. If you want to activate and publish the latest version on multiple policies, select the policies then click the Activate drop-down menu. In the Activate Policy window, select the Publish the latest versions of these policies check box, then Activate. Note: This only works with content-based policies.
Deactivate a policy	1. Select an active policy, and click Deactivate. 2. Click Deactivate to confirm. Note: If a policy is set as inactive, its mapping state is also set as inactive. As a result, the policy cannot be executed.

Task

Description

**Activate a policy**

1. Select an inactive policy and click **Activate**. **Note:** If there is no Current \(published\) version for the selected policy, you must first publish a version before activating. For more information about publishing a policy version, see the Managing policy versions section. 2. In the displayed confirmation message, click **Activate**. Validation of the activated policy and its associated mapping inputs is performed automatically. In addition, the policy is added to the list of active policies in the All Policies page. **Note:** If the mapping inputs are invalid, you are redirected to the Mappings tab to define valid mapping inputs. For example, you can define required mapping inputs that do not include default values. 3. If you want to activate and publish the latest version on multiple policies, select the policies then click the **Activate** drop-down menu. In the Activate Policy window, select the **Publish the latest versions of these policies** check box, then **Activate**. **Note:** This only works with content-based policies.

**Deactivate a policy**

1. Select an active policy, and click **Deactivate**. 2. Click **Deactivate** to confirm. **Note:** If a policy is set as inactive, its mapping state is also set as inactive. As a result, the policy cannot be executed.

## What to do next If you did not publish your policies, you can publish multiple policies. Select the check box next to the Policy names that you want to publish or select the **Select All** box next to the Policy name list. Select the **Activate** drop-down menu then **Publish latest**. **Note:** This only works with content-based policies and not user-based policies.