Requirements for Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Endorsement

The USA Patriot Act changed the requirements for issuance of a new, renewal, or transfer HazMat endorsement on a Commercial Driver License (CDL) document.

All new and renewal HazMat endorsement applicants are required to complete the required Hazardous Materials Endorsement Application and fingerprint collection process through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) data collection vendor and be approved by TSA prior to issuance of a CDL with a HazMat endorsement. New drivers may be issued a temporary CDL without a HazMat endorsement, pending the background checks.

Drivers renewing or transferring a HazMat endorsement (“H" or "X”) are also required to complete the application and fingerprint collection process at least 30 days prior to their expiration date to initiate the TSA assessment.

Drivers renewing or transferring an “H” or “X” endorsement on or after May 31, 2005, may receive a 90-day CDL with the HazMat endorsement that will allow them to haul hazardous materials while the required assessment is being completed (or verified, if the assessment was completed in the driver's previous state of residence).

Ninety (90) days prior to the current CDL expiration date, a renewal letter will be mailed to the last known address of drivers currently holding an “H” or “X” endorsement. The letter will explain the HazMat endorsement background check requirements and provide locations of fingerprint collection sites. Missouri has elected to use the vendor contracted by TSA for collection of application data and fingerprints from HazMat endorsement applicants.

The Department will notify the applicant by letter after the Final Notice of Threat Assessment has been received. After receiving an approval letter from the department, the driver may apply for a full-term license with an "H" or "X" endorsement.

A CDL with "H" or "X" endorsement will expire no more than 5 years after the date the security threat assessment was completed.

General Information

The TSA HazMat Endorsement Threat Assessment Program summarizes the federal requirements including fingerprinting, background checks, appeals, and waiver information. TSA is responsible for the assessment and subsequent approval or denial/revocation of the HazMat endorsement based on the background check and fingerprint based criminal record check.

Citizenship and Immigration Status

Pursuant to federal requirements, HazMat endorsement applicants must have U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident Alien status to be eligible to obtain a new, renewal, or transfer HazMat endorsement.

Documents required to verify U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien status

U.S. Citizen:

  • U.S. Birth Certificate - certified with an embossed, stamped, or raised seal issued by a vital records agency (hospital-issued birth certificates and birth registration cards are not accepted);
  • U.S. Passport (valid or expired);
  • Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, Naturalization, or Birth Abroad; or
  • A photocopy of a certified U.S. birth certificate (issued by a vital records agency) accompanied by a U.S. Military Identification Card or U.S. Military Discharge Papers.

Permanent Resident Alien:

  • Permanent Resident Card, Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551)
  • Temporary I-551 stamp in foreign passport
  • Temporary I-551 stamp on Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, with photograph of the bearer
  • Re-entry Permit (Form I-327)

Disqualifying Crimes

TSA defines the list of disqualifying crimes to identify those most likely to endanger the nation’s transportation network.

Appeals and Waivers

By rule, TSA has defined an appeal and waiver process. An applicant may appeal if they have been disqualified due to an error in the available information. A waiver can be requested if there is a conviction but TSA determines there were justifiable factors that indicate the applicant no longer poses a transportation security threat.