What is a TWIC card?

The TWIC card program is administered by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It’s a federal identification credential that allows workers in the transportation industry to access secure areas, such as high-security maritime facilities, vessels, warehouses and more. A TWIC card can also allow workers unsupervised access to certain areas.

This identification is designed to be tamper- and counterfeit-resistant. It’s a biometric smart card credential, containing the user’s biometric information stored on the card’s computer chip or magnetized bar.

TWIC applicants are enrolled in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT). IDENT contains data about biometric information and notifies TSA whenever a TWIC cardholder’s information changes in a way that may revoke card eligibility.

Who needs a TWIC card?

A TWIC card is usually necessary for employees or professions within the transportation industry. These employees or professions may include:

• Truck drivers: Truck drivers accessing secure ports or facilities or transporting high-security cargo
• Coast Guard employees: First responders, security personnel and others usually require a TWIC card
• Maritime security employees: Any personnel that need to attend to secure areas or cargo
• Employees traveling internationally: Employees that cross into international waters or countries or regularly fly to international areas

Benefits of employees carrying TWIC cards

Your business may benefit from employees carrying TWIC cards, especially if you plan to contract your services to high-security clients. Benefits may include:

• Increased job opportunities with higher security clearance
• Establishing that your employees are trustworthy and reliable
• Higher compensation when your company qualifies for higher security jobs

Requirements for TWIC cards

Before employees apply for a TWIC card, they should ensure they meet eligibility and requirements criteria.

Eligibility

Individuals are eligible to apply for a TWIC card if they meet any of the following conditions:

• U.S. citizen
• Lawful permanent resident
• Naturalized citizen
• Non-immigrant alien, asylee or refugee in lawful status

Requirements

Individuals applying for a TWIC card must satisfy certain requirements. They must:

• Be fingerprinted at a TWIC application center
• Take a facial photo at a TWIC application center
• Provide required documents depending on citizenship status, including photo ID and citizenship or immigrant documents
• Pay a non-refundable application and processing fee

Checking eligibility and requirements beforehand can help make the application process smoother and faster. Employees should ensure that they possess all the required documentation.

Disqualification

Even if individuals meet the above eligibility criteria, they may still be disqualified. Disqualification may happen if applicants provide incomplete or false application information, or if they have disqualifying criminal offenses on their record. These disqualifying offenses may include terrorist activity, extensive foreign or domestic criminal convictions or activities involving espionage or treason. TSA also performs background checks on applicants, collecting data from databases like Interpol and the terror watch list.

If applicants have been convicted of a lesser criminal offense, they may still be eligible under certain conditions. Lesser crimes, such as bribery, smuggling, immigration violations and assault, will disqualify the applicant if conviction occurred within seven years of the date of application or if the applicant was released from incarceration within five years of the application date. Disqualification for felons may be waived if applicants provide adequate documentation denoting positive and trustworthy behavior. Applicants with active warrants will be disqualified until the warrant is released or the indictment dismissed.

How to get a TWIC card

You may require employees to already have a TWIC card upon hiring or as part of their hiring process. Employers sometimes assist employees with the application process or with fees.

Application process

1. To apply for a TWIC card, applicants can complete an application online or visit an application center to submit their required documents, such as a current U.S. passport or driver’s license and a birth certificate. Check here for the full list of acceptable documents.
2. Applicants can schedule an appointment at a TWIC application center online or by phone or walk-in to submit their documents.
3. At the application center, applicants will be fingerprinted and have a facial photo taken.
4. Applicants pay a non-refundable fee by credit card, money order, company check or cashier’s check.
5. If approved, applicants can pick up their card from the application center or have it delivered to their home address. They can also check their application status online.
6. Cards are valid for five years unless the individual no longer meets eligibility requirements.

If TWIC card holders need to renew their card after the five-year validity period has ended, they must follow the same steps as a new applicant.

Fees

Application fees vary depending on the applicant. As of 2022, the fees are:

• New applicant: $125.25
• New applicant reduced rate (with hazardous materials endorsement or a Free and Secure Trade card): $105.25
• Replacement card: $60

This fee is nonrefundable and can be paid in-person at a TWIC application center. Fees are payable by credit card, money order, company check or certified or cashier’s check. Once you submit payment and your application is approved, your TWIC card is valid for the next five years.

If you pay the reduced rate with a hazardous materials endorsement or a Free and Secure Trade card, your TWIC card will be valid five years from the document’s issue date rather than your TWIC application date.