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HAZMAT Endorsement Threat Assessment Program

Layers of Security

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The TSA Hazardous Materials Endorsement Threat Assessment Program conducts a security threat assessment for any driver seeking to obtain, renew, or transfer a hazardous materials endorsement (HME) on a state-issued commercial drivers license (CDL).

The program was implemented to meet the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (pdf, 848Kb), which prohibits states from issuing a license to transport hazardous materials in commerce unless a determination has been made that the driver does not pose a security risk. The Act further requires that the risk assessment include checks of criminal history records, legal status, and relevant international databases.

If you seek to obtain, renew, or transfer an HME on your CDL, you must apply for a security threat assessment. TSA rules require you to begin applying for the security threat assessment at least 30 days prior to the expiration of your CDL.

  • This program does not apply to drivers who do NOT hold an HME or a CDL.

How to Apply

Eligibility

To apply, you are required to have the following:

  1. Valid CDL license number or CDL permit
  2. Proof of legal status
  3. Proof of identity

» Click here to read the eligibility rules.

When

If you are renewing an HME on a CDL, you are required to begin the application process no later than 30 days prior to the expiration of your CDL.

New applicants are encouraged to apply prior to completing the requirements for an HME so that results may be returned to the state in advance of other requirements. States are not authorized to issue an HME until they have received the results of the threat assessment from TSA.

If you have completed a threat assessment before, and you are tranferring your HME to another state, you do not have to go through another assessment for the transfer if your new state can issue an HME that expires within 5 years of your last assessment.

How

States must forward biographical and biometric (fingerprint) information to TSA in an approved and established format to facilitate the security threat assessment process. TSA allowed states to elect to perform the biographical and biometric collection, or utilize a TSA-contracted agent to perform these functions on their behalf. So far, 16 states have elected to collect the required biographical information and biometric data through their individually established and maintained programs. The remaining 34 states and the District of Columbia elected to utilize the TSA-contracted agent.

For states serviced by the TSA Agent, you may apply online at www.hazprints.com, or contact a customer service agent at (877) 429-7746, who can complete the application over the telephone. After completing the application, you must pay the required fee, and set an appointment to be fingerprinted at any TSA Agent site nationwide.

For states not serviced by the TSA Agent, follow the instructions by your state licensing agency.

Process

After TSA receives your application and results of the FBI fingerprint check, TSA begins the security threat assessment. There are three results of a security threat assessment:

  1. You are eligible. You as well as your state will be notified if you are eligible for an HME. You may receive a notification from TSA, but this letter is a courtesy communication, and is not accepted as proof of a valid security threat assessment by any state. States are notified directly by TSA.
  2. You are initially found to have one or more disqualifying criteria. TSA will send a letter to you and provide details of the potential disqualifying factor. You have 60 days to respond to the letter. You may do nothing, request an appeal, request a waiver, or request a time extension.
    • If no response is provided to TSA in the allotted time, you will be disqualified, and the state will be notified. No additional letter will be sent to you. The state will revoke the HME if you hold one, or not issue the HME if you are applying for a new HME.
    • If a response is provided to TSA in the allotted time, TSA will process the response, and provide the results to you and the state.
    • If you send in appeal or waiver materials and you are still denied, you may appeal TSA's decision with an Administrative Law Judge. Instructions will be provided in the denial letter.
  3. You are found to be an imminent threat to transportation security. You and the state will be notified if you are ineligible for an HME. The state will immediately revoke the HME if you hold one. You may apply for redress as indicated in paragraph two above, but may not hold an HME in the interim.

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