Trying to get access to a port? If you work in the transportation or maritime industry, you will need a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) or TWIC card.
This federally issued identification card is a key security measure that grants access to secure maritime facilities and vessels regulated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Coast Guard.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the TWIC card, including who needs it, how to apply, costs, and renewal processes.
What is a TWIC Card?
The TWIC card is a biometric credential required for individuals who need unescorted access to secure maritime facilities and vessels. The card is issued by the TSA and is used to verify a worker’s identity and security clearance. It contains a chip with biometric data, making it tamper-resistant and highly secure.
Individuals who typically require a TWIC card include:
- Commercial truck drivers who need access to port facilities
- Maritime transportation workers
- Port facility employees
- Longshoremen
- Coast Guard personnel
- Other transportation workers requiring secure access
How to Apply for a TWIC Card
Step 1: Determine Eligibility
To qualify for a TWIC card, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, naturalized citizen, or hold another approved immigration status.
- Pass a background check, which includes a criminal history review, immigration status verification, and security threat assessment.
Step 2: Complete the Application
The TWIC application process can be started online or in person. Here’s how:
- Online Application – Visit the TSA’s Universal Enrollment Services (UES) website and complete the application form.
- In-Person Application – You can also fill out the application at an approved TWIC Enrollment Center.
Step 3: Visit an Enrollment Center
Once your application is submitted, you must schedule an appointment at a TWIC Enrollment Center to provide:
- Proof of identity (e.g., passport, driver’s license, or birth certificate)
- Fingerprints for biometric verification
- A digital photograph
Step 4: Pay the Application Fee
As of 2024, the standard TWIC application fee is $125.25, but there is a discounted rate of $93 for applicants with a valid hazmat endorsement (HME) or Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card.
Step 5: Wait for Processing
Processing times typically range from two to six weeks. You can check your application status on the TSA website.
Step 6: Receive Your TWIC Card
Once approved, you will receive your TWIC card by mail or pick it up at an enrollment center. The card is valid for five years.
How to Renew a TWIC Card
If your TWIC card is about to expire, you should start the renewal process at least two months in advance. The renewal process is similar to the initial application:
- Submit a renewal application online or in person.
- Schedule an appointment at an enrollment center.
- Provide updated fingerprints and identification.
- Pay the renewal fee.
- Wait for processing and receive your new TWIC card.
What to Do If Your TWIC Card is Lost or Stolen?
If your TWIC card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must report it to the TSA immediately and apply for a replacement. A replacement card costs $60.
For more details or to begin your application, visit the TSA’s Universal Enrollment Services website or your nearest TWIC Enrollment Center.
Simplified Security Credentials Coming
It will soon be easier and cheaper for truckers to get security credentials, like TWIC (ports) and HME (HAZMAT).
Congress passed a bill on December 18, and President Biden signed the bill into law on December 23 with the goal to standardize the security application process for the trucking industry.
Currently, truckers seeking certain security access to federal facilities often must navigate TSA’s clearance process that is inefficient and costly.
Why, because it forces essential workers to pay duplicative fees and undergo duplicative background checks to obtain the credentials they need to do their jobs, such as the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and Hazardous Materials Endorsements (HME). They also had different processing times, required separate appointments, and charged different fees.
With the passage of the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act, the process will be simpler. TSA will require only one application fee and one in-person appointment for both credentials.
However, the bill does not take immediate effect and allows TSA at least two years to consolidate its TWIC/HME registration processes.
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