Last updated on September 27, 2022
The following is important information about obtaining a hazardous materials endorsement on your commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Hazardous Materials Endorsement Information.
The USA PATRIOT Act, under the guidance of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires that a state not issue to any individual a CDL license to operate a commercial motor vehicle transporting in commerce a hazardous material unless the Secretary of Transportation has first determined, upon receipt of a notification that the individual does not pose a security risk warranting denial of the license.
Effective January 31, 2005, individuals applying for a CDL license with a hazardous material endorsement for the first time (this includes individuals who have previously had the endorsement but have since dropped it) must undergo and pass a criminal and other federal databases background check and meet certain citizenship requirements before any state can issue the hazardous material endorsement.
Effective May 31, 2005 all individuals renewing their CDL license with the hazardous material endorsement must undergo and pass a criminal and other federal databases background check and meet certain citizenship requirements before any state can renew the CDL license with the hazardous material endorsement.
Prior to applying for or renewing their CDL license with a hazardous material endorsement you must fill out a background check application. You can only fill out the application online or by phone. To fill it out online go to www.hazprints.com or call 1- 877-hazprint (1-877-429-7746). You cannot fill the application out at the TSA fingerprint site. After the application is filled out you can go to the TSA fingerprint site to submit your fingerprints. The TSA agent then forwards the application and fingerprints to TSA and the FBI. TSA then notifies the individual and your state licensing agency of the results (TSA will only notify your state licensing agency of Yes/Issue or No/Don’t Issue). Depending upon the results of the background check the person may then go to a driver license office and get the hazardous material endorsement.
The cost for the background check must be paid by the individual or his/her employer. Payment by credit card can only be done over the internet or by phone. The TSA agent will only accept money orders.
For locations or information involving the background check process, please visit www.hazprints.com or call 1-877-hazprint (1-877-429-7746).
To see a list of disqualifying offenses and citizenship requirements click here
To contact TSA about the background checks please call 1-866-289-9673 or e-mail them at patriotact@dhs.gov.
For those individuals who wish to appeal TSA’s decision or apply for a waiver, please call 1-866-289-9673 or e-mail them at hazmatwaiver@dhs.com for more information.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Individuals who already have the hazmat endorsement but would not pass the background check or are convicted of any of the disqualifying offenses are required to immediately surrender their hazardous material endorsement to any Driver License.
Source: 49 CFR 383
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