• Motor carriers must ensure drivers and any passengers accompanying drivers are vetted under the TWIC if they are expected to gain access to specific areas of U.S. port facilities.

Port employees, longshoremen, mariners, truckers, and others who require unescorted access to secure areas of ports and vessels would be required to be vetted under the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program.

What is the TWIC?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) jointly created and manage the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. Together they oversee the various requirements and applicability to the program, including the enrollment process, disqualifying crimes, usage procedures, fees, and other requirements for workers, port owners, and operators. Port employees, longshoremen, mariners, truckers, and others who require unescorted access to secure areas of ports and vessels would be required to be vetted under the TWIC program.

In the case of the trucking industry, this would also include any driver helpers or other passengers accompanying the driver in the commercial motor vehicle. If employers have a policy that allows family members to ride along, family members would also be expected to present the credential to gain access to the port facility.

The security requirements to hold a TWIC mimic those for individuals applying for or renewing a hazardous materials endorsement. In fact, the TWIC requirements are included within the same area of regulations as the hazardous materials endorsement background investigation, 49 CFR Part 1572, Credentialing and Security Threat Assessments.

An individual who lacks lawful presence and certain immigration status in the United States, has a connection to terrorist activity, has been determined to lack mental capacity, or was convicted of certain crimes will be ineligible for a TWIC.

TWIC application process

The enrollment process for an applicant is expected to take approximately 15 minutes. TSA will use a combination of fixed and mobile enrollment stations to make the enrollment process as efficient as possible for applicants and owners or operators.

Appointments are encouraged to save applicants time but are not required, and walk-ins are welcome. Appointments to visit an enrollment center must be made via phone at: (855) DHS-UES1.

At the enrollment center, the applicant must:

• Bring the required identity documents;
• Complete the TWIC Disclosure and Certification Form;
• Pay the enrollment fee;
• Provide biographic information and a complete set of fingerprints; and
• Sit for a digital photograph.

Applicants who have completed a comparable threat assessment, such as a hazardous materials endorsement, Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card, merchant mariner’s document (MMD), or merchant mariner license, and wish to pay a reduced TWIC fee because the applicant does not need another threat assessment, must present a hazardous materials endorsement, FAST card, MMD, or merchant mariner license at enrollment.

Applicants will be notified by email or phone as specified during enrollment when the TWIC is available at the enrollment center. Applicants must pick up the TWIC at the enrollment center at which the applicant applied, unless a different location is specified at the time of enrollment. TWICs are usually issued within 6-8 weeks after enrollment.

Once an applicant is notified that a TWIC is ready for pick-up, the applicant has the choice of either making an appointment for card activation (which is recommended) or going directly to an enrollment center (as a walk-in). At that time, the applicant’s identity will be verified by providing a government-issued photo ID, matching the person’s fingerprint to one stored on the TWIC, selecting and inputting a personal identification number (PIN), and reviewing and agreeing to the cardholder responsibilities. Once these steps have occurred, the applicant’s TWIC is activated.

Smart card technology

The TWIC credential itself is a Smart Card (i.e., a card with a small integrated circuit chip embedded in the card).