The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is revising the process by which individuals apply for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) for a Commercial Driver’s License. The three changes to the program are: (1) online renewal capability; (2) enrollment in Rap Back; and (3) expanding enrollment options.
- Online Renewal Capability – TSA is implementing an online renewal capability for both active HME holders whose Security Threat Assessment (STA) has not yet expired as well as HME holders who have a recently expired STA.
- Enrollment in Rap Back – TSA is revising its biometric fingerprint collection process in States serviced by TSA’s enrollment contractor to now enroll HME holders in Rap Back, a service provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Once an individual is enrolled in Rap Back, TSA will not be required to collect new biometric fingerprints from the individual every five years or collect a fee from the individual for the submission of fingerprints to the FBI.
- Expanding Enrollment Options – TSA is expanding enrollment options and the potential use of biographic and biometric (e.g., fingerprints, iris scans, and/or photo) information to facilitate the STA and allow use of the information for additional comparability determinations – such as allowing the HME applicant to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) without requiring an additional background check.