Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME)
The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Hazardous Materials Endorsement Threat Assessment Program (HAZPRINT) conducts a threat assessment for any driver seeking to obtain, renew and transfer a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) on a Tennessee Commercial Driver License. You should apply if you are required to transport materials that require placarding under the Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations. The hazmat is only valid for 5 years of when TSA is approved. Commercial Driver License expiration dated coincides with the length of the HME.
NOTE: TSA recommends that all applicants enroll for the HME Security Threat Assessment (including renewals) a minimum of 60 days before applicants require an eligibility determination. TSA is experiencing increased demand for HME assessments, and the processing times for some applicants may exceed 45 days.
Step 1 – Apply and Pay Fee
Complete the TSA HAZPRINT Application online or by calling the UES Call Center at 1-855-347- 8371. UES Call Center operators can take you through the application process over the phone or answer any questions about the online application.
Included with the application is a $86.50 fee. The acceptable forms of payment are credit card, money order, company check or certified/cashier’s check. You can pay by credit card on the website or through the UES Call Center operator.
Drivers who choose not to pay electronically must bring a money order, company check or certified/cashier’s check in the amount of $86.50, made out to MorphoTrust USA (TSA’s agent for the HazPrint Program) to the fingerprint collection site.
Fingerprint collection sites cannot fingerprint a driver who has not already completed the HAZPRINT application online or through the UES Call Center and paid the $86.50 fee. Drivers cannot apply at the fingerprint
capture location.
Step 2 - Getting Fingerprinted
Your fingerprints can be collected at one of more than 100 fixed and mobile sites in the United States. TSA’s Enrollment Center Locator website and the UES Call Center, 1-855-347- 8371, are the best sources of information on current site locations, operating hours, and driving directions. On the Enrollment Center Locator webpage choose Fingerprint Capture Center under FTSP.
Drivers from any participating agent states can be printed at any of the agent’s sites — even those in another state. The following states are NOT participating agent states: Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin.
At the Fingerprint Capture Center drivers will be required to provide two forms of identification. See the HME Required Documents website for more information about acceptable identification.
In addition to being fingerprinted, drivers will be asked to review and electronically sign their application to verify its accuracy.
NOTE: The fingerprint capture location only collects and forwards the fingerprints. They do not have information about the program, and they will not receive status reports after the submission is made.
NOTE: Under the provisions of the USA Patriot Act (Public Law 107-56, § 1012), rules of the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) (49 CFR Part 1572) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) (Title 49 of Code of Federal Regulation 383.71(a)(9)), the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Driver Services Centers may not issue a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) until the applicant has first submitted to a fingerprint-based background check. TSA must determine that the applicant does not pose a security threat before the HME can be issued. No person applying for a first-time INITIAL, current RENEWING or current out of state TRANSFERRING HME after Feb. 20, 2013, may be issued an HME until the TSA background check has been completed. The background check must have been completed within the last ninety (90) days.
Step 3 - Security Threat Assessment
Based on the data provided on the HAZPRINT application, TSA will perform a threat assessment for each driver applicant. The results of this assessment will be provided to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and to the applicant.
If the applicant has not received a letter from TSA with the results of their threat assessment within six (6) weeks of being fingerprinted, they should call the UES Call Center at 1-855-347-8371.
Step 4 – Take Vision and Knowledge Tests at a Driver Services Center
The vision and knowledge tests can only be taken at a Tennessee Driver Services Center after the applicant has been cleared by TSA for issuance of the HME. The vision test and then the knowledge test must be passed before issuance of the endorsement.
Required Documents for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement
To receive an HME, drivers must present a valid DOT Medical Certification Card, two (2) proofs of Tennessee residency, and proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency at the Driver Services Center. For
more information about what documents will be accepted see the Required Documents to Apply for a CDL.