diff --git a/doc/source/admin/secure-rbac.rst b/doc/source/admin/secure-rbac.rst
index 7721211b69..1f1bb66d1f 100644
--- a/doc/source/admin/secure-rbac.rst
+++ b/doc/source/admin/secure-rbac.rst
@@ -280,3 +280,30 @@ imparts ``owner`` privileges to the created Bare Metal node.
 
 This functionality can be disabled by setting
 ``[api]project_admin_can_manage_own_nodes`` to ``False``.
+
+Can I use a service role?
+-------------------------
+
+In later versions of Ironic, the ``service`` role has been added to enable
+delineation of accounts and access to Ironic's API. As Ironic's API was
+largely originally intended as an "admin" API service, the service role
+enables similar levels of access as a project-scoped user with the
+``admin`` or ``manager`` roles.
+
+In terms of access, this is likely best viewed as a user with the
+``manager`` role, but with slight elevation in privilege to enable
+usage of the service via a service account.
+
+A project scoped user with the ``service`` role is able to create
+baremetal nodes, but is not able to delete them. To disable the
+ability to create nodes, set the
+``[api]project_admin_can_manage_own_nodes`` setting to ``False``.
+The nodes which can be accessed/managed in the project scope also align
+with the ``owner`` and ``lessee`` access model, and thus if nodes are not
+matching the user's ``project_id``, then Ironic's API will appear not to
+have any enrolled baremetal nodes.
+
+With the system scope, a user with the ``service`` role is able to
+create baremetal nodes, but also, not delete them. The access rights
+are modeled such an ``admin`` scoped is needed to delete baremetal
+nodes from Ironic.
diff --git a/ironic/common/policy.py b/ironic/common/policy.py
index afce51c77d..39733c7325 100644
--- a/ironic/common/policy.py
+++ b/ironic/common/policy.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ SYSTEM_MEMBER = 'role:member and system_scope:all'
 # support. These uses are also able to view project-specific resources where
 # applicable (e.g., listing all volumes in the deployment, regardless of the
 # project they belong to).
-SYSTEM_READER = 'role:reader and system_scope:all'
+SYSTEM_READER = '(role:reader and system_scope:all) or (role:service and system_scope:all)'  # noqa
 
 # This check string is reserved for actions that require the highest level of
 # authorization on a project or resources within the project (e.g., setting the
@@ -83,6 +83,14 @@ PROJECT_MEMBER = ('role:member and '
 PROJECT_READER = ('role:reader and '
                   '(project_id:%(node.owner)s or project_id:%(node.lessee)s)')
 
+# This check string is used for granting access to other services which need
+# to communicate with Ironic, for example, Nova-Compute to provision nodes,
+# or Ironic-Inspector to create nodes. The idea behind a service role is
+# one which has restricted access to perform operations, that are limited
+# to remote automated and inter-operation processes.
+SYSTEM_SERVICE = ('role:service and system_scope:all')
+PROJECT_SERVICE = ('role:service and project_id:%(node.owner)s')
+
 # The following are common composite check strings that are useful for
 # protecting APIs designed to operate with multiple scopes (e.g., a system
 # administrator should be able to delete any baremetal host in the deployment,
@@ -91,7 +99,7 @@ SYSTEM_OR_PROJECT_MEMBER = (
     '(' + SYSTEM_MEMBER + ') or (' + PROJECT_MEMBER + ')'
 )
 SYSTEM_OR_PROJECT_READER = (
-    '(' + SYSTEM_READER + ') or (' + PROJECT_READER + ')'
+    '(' + SYSTEM_READER + ') or (' + PROJECT_READER + ') or (' + PROJECT_SERVICE + ')'  # noqa
 )
 
 PROJECT_OWNER_ADMIN = ('role:admin and project_id:%(node.owner)s')
@@ -109,28 +117,36 @@ ALLOCATION_OWNER_MANAGER = ('role:manager and project_id:%(allocation.owner)s')
 ALLOCATION_OWNER_MEMBER = ('role:member and project_id:%(allocation.owner)s')
 ALLOCATION_OWNER_READER = ('role:reader and project_id:%(allocation.owner)s')
 
+# Used for general operations like changing provision state.
 SYSTEM_OR_OWNER_MEMBER_AND_LESSEE_ADMIN = (
-    '(' + SYSTEM_MEMBER + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_MEMBER + ') or (' + PROJECT_LESSEE_ADMIN + ') or (' + PROJECT_LESSEE_MANAGER + ')'  # noqa
+    '(' + SYSTEM_MEMBER + ') or (' + SYSTEM_SERVICE + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_MEMBER + ') or (' + PROJECT_LESSEE_ADMIN + ') or (' + PROJECT_LESSEE_MANAGER + ') or (' + PROJECT_SERVICE + ')'  # noqa
 )
 
+# Used for creation and deletion of network ports.
 SYSTEM_ADMIN_OR_OWNER_ADMIN = (
-    '(' + SYSTEM_ADMIN + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_ADMIN + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_MANAGER + ')'  # noqa
+    '(' + SYSTEM_ADMIN + ') or (' + SYSTEM_SERVICE + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_ADMIN + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_MANAGER + ') or (' + PROJECT_SERVICE + ')'  # noqa
 )
 
+# Used to map system members, and owner admins to the same access rights.
+# This is actions such as update driver interfaces, delete ports.
 SYSTEM_MEMBER_OR_OWNER_ADMIN = (
-    '(' + SYSTEM_MEMBER + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_ADMIN + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_MANAGER + ')'  # noqa
+    '(' + SYSTEM_MEMBER + ') or (' + SYSTEM_SERVICE + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_ADMIN + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_MANAGER + ') or (' + PROJECT_SERVICE + ')'  # noqa
 )
 
+# Used to map "member" only rights, i.e. those of "users using a deployment"
 SYSTEM_MEMBER_OR_OWNER_MEMBER = (
-    '(' + SYSTEM_MEMBER + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_MEMBER + ')'
+    '(' + SYSTEM_MEMBER + ') or (' + SYSTEM_SERVICE + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_MEMBER + ') or (' + PROJECT_SERVICE + ')'  # noqa
 )
 
+# Used throughout to map where authenticated readers
+# should be able to read API objects.
 SYSTEM_OR_OWNER_READER = (
-    '(' + SYSTEM_READER + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_READER + ')'
+    '(' + SYSTEM_READER + ') or (' + SYSTEM_SERVICE + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_READER + ') or (' + PROJECT_SERVICE + ')'  # noqa
 )
 
+# Mainly used for targets/connectors
 SYSTEM_MEMBER_OR_OWNER_LESSEE_ADMIN = (
-    '(' + SYSTEM_MEMBER + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_ADMIN + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_MANAGER + ') or (' + PROJECT_LESSEE_ADMIN + ') or (' + PROJECT_LESSEE_MANAGER + ')'   # noqa
+    '(' + SYSTEM_MEMBER + ') or (' + SYSTEM_SERVICE + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_ADMIN + ') or (' + PROJECT_OWNER_MANAGER + ') or (' + PROJECT_LESSEE_ADMIN + ') or (' + PROJECT_LESSEE_MANAGER + ') or (' + PROJECT_SERVICE + ')'  # noqa
 )
 
 
@@ -152,7 +168,10 @@ ALLOCATION_CREATOR = (
 # Special purpose aliases for things like "ability to access the API
 # as a reader, or permission checking that does not require node
 # owner relationship checking
-API_READER = ('role:reader')
+API_READER = ('(role:reader) or (role:service)')
+
+# Used for ability to view target properties of a volume, which is
+# considered highly restricted.
 TARGET_PROPERTIES_READER = (
     '(' + SYSTEM_READER + ') or (role:admin)'
 )
@@ -436,7 +455,7 @@ deprecated_bios_disable_cleaning = policy.DeprecatedRule(
 node_policies = [
     policy.DocumentedRuleDefault(
         name='baremetal:node:create',
-        check_str=SYSTEM_ADMIN,
+        check_str='(' + SYSTEM_ADMIN + ') or (' + SYSTEM_SERVICE + ')',
         scope_types=['system', 'project'],
         description='Create Node records',
         operations=[{'path': '/nodes', 'method': 'POST'}],
@@ -444,7 +463,7 @@ node_policies = [
     ),
     policy.DocumentedRuleDefault(
         name='baremetal:node:create:self_owned_node',
-        check_str=('role:admin'),
+        check_str=('(role:admin) or (role:service)'),
         scope_types=['project'],
         description='Create node records which will be tracked '
                     'as owned by the associated user project.',
diff --git a/ironic/tests/unit/api/test_rbac_project_scoped.yaml b/ironic/tests/unit/api/test_rbac_project_scoped.yaml
index b57f7fc5c3..ad3342e860 100644
--- a/ironic/tests/unit/api/test_rbac_project_scoped.yaml
+++ b/ironic/tests/unit/api/test_rbac_project_scoped.yaml
@@ -74,6 +74,14 @@ values:
     X-Auth-Token: 'third-party-admin-token'
     X-Project-Id: ae64129e-b188-4662-b014-4127f4366ee6
     X-Roles: admin,manager,member,reader
+  service_headers: &service_headers
+    X-Auth-Token: 'service-token'
+    X-Project-Id: ae64129e-b188-4662-b014-4127f4366ee6
+    X-Roles: service
+  service_headers_owner_project: &service_headers_owner_project
+    X-Auth-Token: 'service-token'
+    X-Project-Id: 70e5e25a-2ca2-4cb1-8ae8-7d8739cee205
+    X-Roles: service
   owner_project_id: &owner_project_id 70e5e25a-2ca2-4cb1-8ae8-7d8739cee205
   lessee_project_id: &lessee_project_id f11853c7-fa9c-4db3-a477-c9d8e0dbbf13
   owned_node_ident: &owned_node_ident f11853c7-fa9c-4db3-a477-c9d8e0dbbf13
@@ -100,6 +108,22 @@ owner_admin_can_post_nodes:
   assert_status: 503
   self_manage_nodes: True
 
+service_nodes_cannot_post_nodes:
+  path: '/v1/nodes'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers
+  body: *node_post_body
+  assert_status: 403
+  self_manage_nodes: False
+
+service_nodes_can_post_nodes:
+  path: '/v1/nodes'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers
+  body: *node_post_body
+  assert_status: 503
+  self_manage_nodes: True
+
 owner_manager_cannot_post_nodes:
   path: '/v1/nodes'
   method: post
@@ -716,6 +740,18 @@ owner_admin_can_delete_nodes:
   assert_status: 503
   self_manage_nodes: True
 
+service_cannot_delete_owner_admin_nodes:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
+service_can_delete_nodes_in_own_project:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 403
+
 owner_manager_cannot_delete_nodes:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}'
   method: delete
@@ -1306,7 +1342,6 @@ lessee_manager_can_change_provision_state:
   body: *provision_body
   assert_status: 503
 
-
 lessee_member_cannot_change_provision_state:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/states/provision'
   method: put
@@ -1321,6 +1356,20 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_change_provision_state:
   body: *provision_body
   assert_status: 404
 
+service_can_change_provision_state_for_own_nodes:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/states/provision'
+  method: put
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  body: *provision_body
+  assert_status: 503
+
+service_cannot_change_provision_state:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/states/provision'
+  method: put
+  headers: *service_headers
+  body: *provision_body
+  assert_status: 404
+
 # Raid configuration
 
 owner_admin_can_set_raid_config:
@@ -1363,6 +1412,13 @@ owner_member_can_set_raid_config:
   body: *raid_body
   assert_status: 503
 
+owner_member_can_set_raid_config:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/states/raid'
+  method: put
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  body: *raid_body
+  assert_status: 503
+
 lessee_member_cannot_set_raid_config:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/states/raid'
   method: put
@@ -1377,6 +1433,14 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_set_raid_config:
   body: *raid_body
   assert_status: 404
 
+service_cannot_set_raid_config:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/states/raid'
+  method: put
+  headers: *service_headers
+  body: *raid_body
+  assert_status: 404
+
+
 # Console
 
 owner_admin_can_get_console:
@@ -1391,6 +1455,12 @@ owner_manager_can_get_console:
   headers: *owner_manager_headers
   assert_status: 503
 
+owner_service_can_get_console:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/states/console'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 503
+
 lessee_admin_cannot_get_console:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/states/console'
   method: get
@@ -1476,6 +1546,20 @@ lessee_member_cannot_set_console:
   body: *console_body_put
   assert_status: 403
 
+owner_service_can_set_console:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/states/console'
+  method: put
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  body: *console_body_put
+  assert_status: 503
+
+service_cannot_set_console:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/states/console'
+  method: put
+  headers: *service_headers
+  body: *console_body_put
+  assert_status: 404
+
 # Vendor Passthru - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/?expanded=#node-vendor-passthru-nodes
 
 # owner/lessee vendor passthru methods inaccessible
@@ -1494,6 +1578,12 @@ owner_manager_cannot_get_vendor_passthru_methods:
   headers: *owner_manager_headers
   assert_status: 403
 
+owner_service_cannot_get_vendor_passthru_methods:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vendor_passthru/methods'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 403
+
 owner_member_cannot_get_vendor_passthru_methods:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vendor_passthru/methods'
   method: get
@@ -1543,6 +1633,12 @@ owner_manager_cannot_get_vendor_passthru:
   headers: *owner_manager_headers
   assert_status: 403
 
+owner_service_cannot_get_vendor_passthru:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vendor_passthru?method=test'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 403
+
 owner_member_cannot_get_vendor_passthru:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vendor_passthru?method=test'
   method: get
@@ -1593,6 +1689,12 @@ owner_manager_cannot_post_vendor_passthru:
   headers: *owner_manager_headers
   assert_status: 403
 
+owner_service_cannot_post_vendor_passthru:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vendor_passthru?method=test'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 403
+
 owner_member_cannot_post_vendor_passthru:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vendor_passthru?method=test'
   method: post
@@ -1643,6 +1745,12 @@ owner_manager_cannot_put_vendor_passthru:
   headers: *owner_manager_headers
   assert_status: 403
 
+owner_service_cannot_put_vendor_passthru:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vendor_passthru?method=test'
+  method: put
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 403
+
 owner_member_cannot_put_vendor_passthru:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vendor_passthru?method=test'
   method: put
@@ -1693,6 +1801,12 @@ owner_manager_cannot_delete_vendor_passthru:
   headers: *owner_manager_headers
   assert_status: 403
 
+owner_service_cannot_delete_vendor_passthru:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vendor_passthru?method=test'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 403
+
 owner_member_cannot_delete_vendor_passthru:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vendor_passthru?method=test'
   method: delete
@@ -1737,6 +1851,12 @@ owner_reader_get_traits:
   headers: *owner_reader_headers
   assert_status: 200
 
+owner_reader_get_traits:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/traits'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 200
+
 lessee_reader_get_traits:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/traits'
   method: get
@@ -1766,6 +1886,13 @@ owner_manager_can_put_traits:
   assert_status: 503
   body: *traits_body
 
+owner_service_can_put_traits:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/traits'
+  method: put
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 503
+  body: *traits_body
+
 owner_member_cannot_put_traits:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/traits'
   method: put
@@ -1801,6 +1928,13 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_put_traits:
   assert_status: 404
   body: *traits_body
 
+third_party_admin_cannot_put_traits:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/traits'
+  method: put
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+  body: *traits_body
+
 owner_admin_can_delete_traits:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/traits/{trait}'
   method: delete
@@ -1917,6 +2051,21 @@ owner_admin_can_post_vifs:
   body: &vif_body
     id: ee21d58f-5de2-4956-85ff-33935ea1ca00
 
+service_can_post_vifs_for_own_project:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vifs'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 503
+  body: *vif_body
+
+service_cannot_post_vifs_for_other_project:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vifs'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers
+  # NOTE(TheJulia): This is a 404 because the node should not be visible.
+  assert_status: 404
+  body: *vif_body
+
 owner_manager_can_post_vifs:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vifs'
   method: post
@@ -2015,6 +2164,18 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_delete_vifs:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 404
 
+service_can_delete_vifs:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vifs/{vif_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 503
+
+service_cannot_delete_other_nodes_vifs:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/vifs/{vif_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
 # Indicators - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/#indicators-management
 owner_readers_can_get_indicators:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/management/indicators'
@@ -2078,6 +2239,14 @@ owner_reader_can_list_portgroups:
   assert_list_length:
     portgroups: 2
 
+owner_service_can_list_portgroups:
+  path: '/v1/portgroups'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 200
+  assert_list_length:
+    portgroups: 2
+
 lessee_reader_can_list_portgroups:
   path: '/v1/portgroups'
   method: get
@@ -2122,6 +2291,13 @@ owner_admin_can_add_portgroup:
     node_uuid: 1ab63b9e-66d7-4cd7-8618-dddd0f9f7881
   assert_status: 201
 
+owner_service_can_add_portgroup:
+  path: '/v1/portgroups'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  body: *owner_portgroup_body
+  assert_status: 201
+
 owner_manager_can_add_portgroup:
   path: '/v1/portgroups'
   method: post
@@ -2237,6 +2413,12 @@ owner_member_cannot_delete_portgroup:
   headers: *owner_member_headers
   assert_status: 403
 
+owner_service_can_delete_portgroup:
+  path: '/v1/portgroups/{owner_portgroup_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 503
+
 lessee_admin_cannot_delete_portgroup:
   path: '/v1/portgroups/{lessee_portgroup_ident}'
   method: delete
@@ -2261,6 +2443,12 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_delete_portgroup:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 404
 
+service_cannot_delete_portgroup:
+  path: '/v1/portgroups/{lessee_portgroup_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
 # Portgroups by node - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/#listing-portgroups-by-node-nodes-portgroups
 
 owner_reader_can_get_node_portgroups:
@@ -2281,6 +2469,13 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_get_portgroups:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 404
 
+service_cannot_get_portgroups:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/portgroups'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
+
 # Ports - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/#ports-ports
 
 # Based on ports_* tests
@@ -2294,6 +2489,15 @@ owner_reader_can_list_ports:
   assert_list_length:
     ports: 3
 
+owner_service_can_list_ports:
+  path: '/v1/ports'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 200
+  # Two ports owned, one on the leased node. 1 invisible.
+  assert_list_length:
+    ports: 3
+
 lessee_reader_can_list_ports:
   path: '/v1/ports'
   method: get
@@ -2316,6 +2520,12 @@ owner_reader_can_read_port:
   headers: *owner_reader_headers
   assert_status: 200
 
+owner_service_can_read_port:
+  path: '/v1/ports/{owner_port_ident}'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 200
+
 lessee_reader_can_read_port:
   path: '/v1/ports/{lessee_port_ident}'
   method: get
@@ -2362,6 +2572,13 @@ owner_manager_cannot_add_ports_to_other_nodes:
   body: *other_node_add_port_body
   assert_status: 403
 
+owner_service_cannot_add_ports_to_other_nodes:
+  path: '/v1/ports'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  body: *other_node_add_port_body
+  assert_status: 403
+
 owner_member_cannot_add_port:
   path: '/v1/ports'
   method: post
@@ -2399,6 +2616,20 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_add_port:
   body: *lessee_port_body
   assert_status: 403
 
+service_can_add_port:
+  path: '/v1/ports'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  body: *owner_port_body
+  assert_status: 503
+
+service_cannot_add_ports_to_other_project:
+  path: '/v1/ports'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers
+  body: *owner_port_body
+  assert_status: 403
+
 owner_admin_can_modify_port:
   path: '/v1/ports/{owner_port_ident}'
   method: patch
@@ -2416,6 +2647,13 @@ owner_manager_can_modify_port:
   body: *port_patch_body
   assert_status: 503
 
+owner_service_can_modify_port:
+  path: '/v1/ports/{owner_port_ident}'
+  method: patch
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  body: *port_patch_body
+  assert_status: 503
+
 owner_member_cannot_modify_port:
   path: '/v1/ports/{owner_port_ident}'
   method: patch
@@ -2463,6 +2701,12 @@ owner_manager_can_delete_port:
   headers: *owner_manager_headers
   assert_status: 503
 
+owner_service_can_delete_port:
+  path: '/v1/ports/{owner_port_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 503
+
 owner_member_cannot_delete_port:
   path: '/v1/ports/{owner_port_ident}'
   method: delete
@@ -2503,6 +2747,14 @@ owner_reader_can_get_node_ports:
   assert_list_length:
     ports: 2
 
+owner_service_can_get_node_ports:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/ports'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 200
+  assert_list_length:
+    ports: 2
+
 lessee_reader_can_get_node_port:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/ports'
   method: get
@@ -2517,6 +2769,12 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_get_ports:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 404
 
+service_cannot_get_ports:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/ports'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
 # Ports by portgroup - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/#listing-ports-by-portgroup-portgroup-ports
 
 # Based on portgroups_ports_get* tests
@@ -2527,6 +2785,12 @@ owner_reader_can_get_ports_by_portgroup:
   headers: *owner_reader_headers
   assert_status: 200
 
+owner_service_cam_get_ports_by_portgroup:
+  path: '/v1/portgroups/{owner_portgroup_ident}/ports'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 200
+
 lessee_reader_can_get_ports_by_portgroup:
   path: '/v1/portgroups/{lessee_portgroup_ident}/ports'
   method: get
@@ -2539,6 +2803,13 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_get_ports_by_portgroup:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 404
 
+service_cannot_get_ports_by_portgroup:
+  path: '/v1/portgroups/{other_portgroup_ident}/ports'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
+
 # Volume(s) - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/#volume-volume
 # TODO(TheJulia): volumes will likely need some level of exhaustive testing.
 # i.e. ensure that the volume is permissible. However this may not be possible
@@ -2587,6 +2858,13 @@ owner_manager_can_post_volume_connector:
   assert_status: 201
   body: *volume_connector_body
 
+owner_service_can_post_volume_connector:
+  path: '/v1/volume/connectors'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 201
+  body: *volume_connector_body
+
 lessee_admin_cannot_post_volume_connector:
   path: '/v1/volume/connectors'
   method: post
@@ -2608,6 +2886,13 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_post_volume_connector:
   assert_status: 403
   body: *volume_connector_body
 
+service_admin_cannot_post_volume_connector:
+  path: '/v1/volume/connectors'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 403
+  body: *volume_connector_body
+
 owner_reader_can_get_volume_connector:
   path: '/v1/volume/connectors/{volume_connector_ident}'
   method: get
@@ -2698,6 +2983,12 @@ owner_manager_can_delete_volume_connectors:
   headers: *owner_manager_headers
   assert_status: 503
 
+owner_service_can_delete_volume_connectors:
+  path: '/v1/volume/connectors/{volume_connector_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 503
+
 lessee_admin_can_delete_volume_connectors:
   path: '/v1/volume/connectors/{volume_connector_ident}'
   method: delete
@@ -2716,6 +3007,12 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_delete_volume_connector:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 404
 
+service_cannot_delete_volume_connector:
+  path: '/v1/volume/connectors/{volume_connector_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
 # Volume targets
 
 # TODO(TheJulia): Create at least 3 targets.
@@ -2776,6 +3073,13 @@ owner_admin_create_volume_target:
     boot_index: 2
     volume_id: 'test-id'
 
+owner_service_create_volume_target:
+  path: '/v1/volume/targets'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 201
+  body: *volume_target_body
+
 owner_manager_create_volume_target:
   path: '/v1/volume/targets'
   method: post
@@ -2826,6 +3130,13 @@ owner_member_can_patch_volume_target:
   headers: *owner_member_headers
   assert_status: 503
 
+owner_service_can_patch_volume_target:
+  path: '/v1/volume/targets/{volume_target_ident}'
+  method: patch
+  body: *volume_target_patch
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 503
+
 lessee_admin_can_patch_volume_target:
   path: '/v1/volume/targets/{volume_target_ident}'
   method: patch
@@ -2854,6 +3165,13 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_patch_volume_target:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 404
 
+service_cannot_patch_volume_target:
+  path: '/v1/volume/targets/{volume_target_ident}'
+  method: patch
+  body: *volume_target_patch
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
 owner_admin_can_delete_volume_target:
   path: '/v1/volume/targets/{volume_target_ident}'
   method: delete
@@ -2866,6 +3184,12 @@ owner_manager_can_delete_volume_target:
   headers: *owner_manager_headers
   assert_status: 503
 
+owner_manager_can_delete_volume_target:
+  path: '/v1/volume/targets/{volume_target_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 503
+
 lessee_admin_can_delete_volume_target:
   path: '/v1/volume/targets/{volume_target_ident}'
   method: delete
@@ -2896,6 +3220,12 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_delete_volume_target:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 404
 
+service_cannot_delete_volume_target:
+  path: '/v1/volume/targets/{volume_target_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
 # Get Volumes by Node - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/#listing-volume-resources-by-node-nodes-volume
 
 owner_reader_can_get_volume_connectors:
@@ -2904,6 +3234,12 @@ owner_reader_can_get_volume_connectors:
   headers: *owner_reader_headers
   assert_status: 200
 
+owner_service_can_get_volume_connectors:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/volume/connectors'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 200
+
 lessee_reader_can_get_node_volume_connectors:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/volume/connectors'
   method: get
@@ -2916,12 +3252,24 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_get_node_volume_connectors:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 404
 
+service_cannot_get_node_volume_connectors:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/volume/connectors'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
 owner_reader_can_get_node_volume_targets:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/volume/targets'
   method: get
   headers: *owner_reader_headers
   assert_status: 200
 
+owner_service_can_read_get_node_volume_targets:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/volume/targets'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 200
+
 lessee_reader_can_get_node_volume_targets:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/volume/targets'
   method: get
@@ -2934,6 +3282,12 @@ third_part_admin_cannot_read_node_volume_targets:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 404
 
+service_cannot_read_node_volume_targets:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{lessee_node_ident}/volume/targets'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
 # Drivers - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/#drivers-drivers
 
 # This is a system scoped endpoint, everything should fail in this section.
@@ -2956,6 +3310,12 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_get_drivers:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 500
 
+service_cannot_get_drivers:
+  path: '/v1/drivers'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 500
+
 # Driver vendor passthru - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/#driver-vendor-passthru-drivers
 
 # This is a system scoped endpoint, everything should fail in this section.
@@ -2978,6 +3338,12 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_get_drivers_vendor_passthru:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 500
 
+service_cannot_get_drivers_vendor_passthru:
+  path: '/v1/drivers/{driver_name}/vendor_passthru/methods'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 500
+
 # Node Bios - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/#node-bios-nodes
 
 owner_reader_can_get_bios_setttings:
@@ -2998,6 +3364,18 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_get_bios_settings:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 404
 
+service_can_get_bios_setttings_owner_project:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/bios'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 200
+
+service_cannot_get_bios_setttings:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/bios'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
 # Conductors - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/#allocations-allocations
 
 # This is a system scoped endpoint, everything should fail in this section.
@@ -3271,7 +3649,7 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_get_deploy_templates:
 third_party_admin_cannot_post_deploy_template:
   path: '/v1/deploy_templates'
   method: post
-  body:
+  body: &deploy_template
     name: 'CUSTOM_TEST_TEMPLATE'
     steps:
       - interface: 'deploy'
@@ -3281,6 +3659,19 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_post_deploy_template:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 500
 
+service_cannot_get_deploy_templates:
+  path: '/v1/deploy_templates'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 500
+
+service_cannot_post_deploy_template:
+  path: '/v1/deploy_templates'
+  method: post
+  body: *deploy_template
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 500
+
 # Chassis endpoints - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/#chassis-chassis
 
 # This is a system scoped endpoint, everything should fail in this section.
@@ -3311,6 +3702,20 @@ third_party_admin_cannot_create_chassis:
     description: 'test-chassis'
   assert_status: 500
 
+service_cannot_access_chassis:
+  path: '/v1/chassis'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 500
+
+service_cannot_create_chassis:
+  path: '/v1/chassis'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers
+  body:
+    description: 'test-chassis'
+  assert_status: 500
+
 # Node history entries
 
 node_history_get_admin:
@@ -3337,6 +3742,20 @@ node_history_get_reader:
   assert_list_length:
     history: 1
 
+node_history_get_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/history'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 200
+  assert_list_length:
+    history: 1
+
+node_history_get_service_cannot_be_retrieved:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/history'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
 node_history_get_entry_admin:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/history/{owned_history_ident}'
   method: get
@@ -3391,6 +3810,12 @@ lessee_node_history_get_entry_reader:
   headers: *lessee_reader_headers
   assert_status: 404
 
+owner_service_node_history_get_entry_reader:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/history/{owned_history_ident}'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers_owner_project
+  assert_status: 200
+
 third_party_admin_cannot_get_node_history:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}'
   method: get
@@ -3403,6 +3828,12 @@ node_history_get_entry_admin:
   headers: *third_party_admin_headers
   assert_status: 404
 
+node_history_get_entry_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{owner_node_ident}/history/{owned_history_ident}'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 404
+
 # Node inventory support
 
 node_inventory_get_admin:
diff --git a/ironic/tests/unit/api/test_rbac_system_scoped.yaml b/ironic/tests/unit/api/test_rbac_system_scoped.yaml
index 533356217c..a980fefc7a 100644
--- a/ironic/tests/unit/api/test_rbac_system_scoped.yaml
+++ b/ironic/tests/unit/api/test_rbac_system_scoped.yaml
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ values:
     X-Project-ID: a1111111111111111111111111111111
     X-Roles: admin
     X-Project-Name: 'other-project'
+  service_headers: &service_headers
+    X-Auth-Token: 'baremetal-service-token'
+    X-Roles: service
+    OpenStack-System-Scope: all
   owner_project_id: &owner_project_id '{owner_project_id}'
   other_project_id: &other_project_id '{other_project_id}'
   node_ident: &node_ident '{node_ident}'
@@ -52,6 +56,13 @@ nodes_post_reader:
   body: *node_post_body
   assert_status: 403
 
+nodes_post_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers
+  body: *node_post_body
+  assert_status: 503
+
 nodes_get_node_admin:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}'
   method: get
@@ -92,6 +103,14 @@ nodes_get_admin:
     nodes: 3
   assert_status: 200
 
+nodes_get_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_list_length:
+    nodes: 3
+  assert_status: 200
+
 nodes_get_other_admin:
   path: '/v1/nodes'
   method: get
@@ -119,6 +138,12 @@ nodes_detail_get_reader:
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 200
 
+nodes_detail_get_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/detail'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 200
+
 nodes_node_ident_get_admin:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}'
   method: get
@@ -187,6 +212,12 @@ nodes_node_ident_delete_admin:
   headers: *admin_headers
   assert_status: 503
 
+nodes_node_ident_delete_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 403
+
 nodes_node_ident_delete_member:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}'
   method: delete
@@ -337,7 +368,6 @@ nodes_management_inject_nmi_put_reader:
   body: {}
   assert_status: 403
 
-
 nodes_states_get_admin:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/states'
   method: get
@@ -448,6 +478,13 @@ nodes_states_provision_put_reader:
   body: *provision_body
   assert_status: 403
 
+nodes_states_provision_put_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/states/provision'
+  method: put
+  headers: *service_headers
+  body: *provision_body
+  assert_status: 503
+
 nodes_states_raid_put_admin:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/states/raid'
   method: put
@@ -486,12 +523,18 @@ nodes_states_console_get_member:
   headers: *scoped_member_headers
   assert_status: 503
 
-nodes_states_console_get_admin:
+nodes_states_console_get_reader:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/states/console'
   method: get
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 403
 
+nodes_states_console_get_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/states/console'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 503
+
 nodes_states_console_put_admin:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/states/console'
   method: put
@@ -514,6 +557,13 @@ nodes_states_console_put_reader:
   body: *console_body_put
   assert_status: 403
 
+nodes_states_console_put_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/states/console'
+  method: put
+  headers: *service_headers
+  body: *console_body_put
+  assert_status: 503
+
 # Node Traits - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/?expanded=#node-vendor-passthru-nodes
 
 # Calls conductor upon the get as a task is required.
@@ -729,6 +779,12 @@ nodes_vifs_get_reader:
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 503
 
+nodes_vifs_get_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/vifs'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 503
+
 nodes_vifs_post_admin:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/vifs'
   method: post
@@ -751,6 +807,13 @@ nodes_vifs_post_reader:
   assert_status: 403
   body: *vif_body
 
+nodes_vifs_post_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/vifs'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 503
+  body: *vif_body
+
 # This calls the conductor, hence not status 403.
 nodes_vifs_node_vif_ident_delete_admin:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/vifs/{vif_ident}'
@@ -770,6 +833,12 @@ nodes_vifs_node_vif_ident_delete_reader:
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 403
 
+nodes_vifs_node_vif_ident_delete_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/vifs/{vif_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 503
+
 # Indicators - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/#indicators-management
 
 nodes_management_indicators_get_allow:
@@ -1182,6 +1251,12 @@ volume_get_reader:
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 200
 
+volume_get_service:
+  path: '/v1/volume'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 200
+
 # Volume connectors
 
 volume_connectors_get_admin:
@@ -1202,6 +1277,12 @@ volume_connectors_get_reader:
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 200
 
+volume_connectors_get_service:
+  path: '/v1/volume/connectors'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 200
+
 # NOTE(TheJulia): This ends up returning a 400 due to the
 # UUID not already being in ironic.
 volume_connectors_post_admin:
@@ -1230,6 +1311,13 @@ volume_connectors_post_reader:
   assert_status: 403
   body: *volume_connector_body
 
+volume_connectors_post_service:
+  path: '/v1/volume/connectors'
+  method: post
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 201
+  body: *volume_connector_body
+
 volume_volume_connector_id_get_admin:
   path: '/v1/volume/connectors/{volume_connector_ident}'
   method: get
@@ -1272,6 +1360,13 @@ volume_volume_connector_id_patch_reader:
   body: *connector_patch_body
   assert_status: 403
 
+volume_volume_connector_id_patch_service:
+  path: '/v1/volume/connectors/{volume_connector_ident}'
+  method: patch
+  headers: *service_headers
+  body: *connector_patch_body
+  assert_status: 503
+
 volume_volume_connector_id_delete_admin:
   path: '/v1/volume/connectors/{volume_connector_ident}'
   method: delete
@@ -1290,6 +1385,12 @@ volume_volume_connector_id_delete_reader:
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 403
 
+volume_volume_connector_id_delete_service:
+  path: '/v1/volume/connectors/{volume_connector_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 503
+
 # Volume targets
 
 volume_targets_get_admin:
@@ -1310,6 +1411,12 @@ volume_targets_get_reader:
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 200
 
+volume_targets_get_service:
+  path: '/v1/volume/targets'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 200
+
 # NOTE(TheJulia): Because we can't seem to get the uuid
 # to load from an existing uuid, since we're not subsituting
 # it, this will return with 400 due to the ID not matching.
@@ -1360,6 +1467,12 @@ volume_volume_target_id_get_reader:
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 200
 
+volume_volume_target_id_get_service:
+  path: '/v1/volume/targets/{volume_target_ident}'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 200
+
 # NOTE(TheJulia): This triggers a call to the conductor and
 # thus will fail, but does not return a 403 which means success.
 volume_volume_target_id_patch_admin:
@@ -1386,6 +1499,13 @@ volume_volume_target_id_patch_reader:
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 403
 
+volume_volume_target_id_patch_service:
+  path: '/v1/volume/targets/{volume_target_ident}'
+  method: patch
+  body: *volume_target_patch
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 503
+
 volume_volume_target_id_delete_admin:
   path: '/v1/volume/targets/{volume_target_ident}'
   method: delete
@@ -1404,6 +1524,12 @@ volume_volume_target_id_delete_reader:
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 403
 
+volume_volume_target_id_delete_service:
+  path: '/v1/volume/targets/{volume_target_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 503
+
 # Get Volumes by Node - https://docs.openstack.org/api-ref/baremetal/#listing-volume-resources-by-node-nodes-volume
 
 nodes_volume_get_admin:
@@ -2002,6 +2128,12 @@ chassis_get_reader:
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 200
 
+chassis_get_service:
+  path: '/v1/chassis'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 200
+
 chassis_detail_get_admin:
   path: '/v1/chassis/detail'
   method: get
@@ -2080,6 +2212,12 @@ chassis_chassis_id_delete_reader:
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 403
 
+chassis_chassis_id_delete_service:
+  path: '/v1/chassis/{chassis_ident}'
+  method: delete
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 403
+
 # Node history entries
 
 node_history_get_admin:
@@ -2106,6 +2244,14 @@ node_history_get_reader:
   assert_list_length:
     history: 1
 
+node_history_get_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/history'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 200
+  assert_list_length:
+    history: 1
+
 node_history_get_entry_admin:
   path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/history/{history_ident}'
   method: get
@@ -2137,3 +2283,9 @@ node_inventory_get_reader:
   method: get
   headers: *reader_headers
   assert_status: 200
+
+node_history_get_entry_service:
+  path: '/v1/nodes/{node_ident}/history/{history_ident}'
+  method: get
+  headers: *service_headers
+  assert_status: 200
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/add-service-role-support-8e9390769508ca99.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/add-service-role-support-8e9390769508ca99.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7a2aa7b953
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/add-service-role-support-8e9390769508ca99.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+---
+features:
+  - |
+    Adds support for the ``service`` role, which is intended for service to
+    service communication, such as for those where ``ironic-inspector``,
+    ``nova-compute``, or ``networking-baremetal`` needs to communicate with
+    Ironic's API.
+upgrade:
+  - |
+    Ironic now has support for the ``service`` role, which is available in the
+    ``system`` scope as well as the ``project`` scope. This functionality
+    is for service to service communication, if desired. Effective access rights
+    are similar to the ``manager`` or the ``owner`` scoped admin privileges.