Truckers who pick up freight at ports around the country will soon have a new card to carry. The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) will be mandatory for any person requiring unescorted access to any secure areas of Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulated facilities. That means, you’ll need the TWIC “smart card” to get into maritime ports around the country.

To get a TWIC, you must provide biographic and biometric information such as fingerprints, sit for a digital photograph and successfully pass a security threat assessment (background check) conducted by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA). If you already have your hazardous materials endorsement on your CDL, the background check you already took for your hazmat endorsement will apply. You shouldn’t need another background check. This will qualify you for a reduced enrollment fee.
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Tags: Transportation Worker Identification Credential, TWIC, Maritime Transportation Security Act, Security Threat Assessment, Background Check, Transportation Safety Administration

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