Hazardous Materials
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires background checks for commercial drivers who wish to obtain, renew, or transfer a Hazardous Materials (HazMat) endorsement on their state-issued Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Through TSA’s Hazardous Materials Endorsement Threat Assessment Program, applicants undergo fingerprinting and a background check to verify U.S. citizenship, immigration eligibility, or lawful permanent residency.
This assessment is performed in person at TSA application centers, and you can pre-enroll online through the TSA website. 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.
Things to know:
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Applicants must be at least 21 years old to add a HazMat endorsement to their CDL per R.I. Gen. Law § 31-10.3-14(c)(1)
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Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required for all first time HazMat applicants.
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The TSA HME Threat Assessment and Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) must be complete to be eligible to take the HazMat Knowledge Test.
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Renewing a CDL with the HazMat endorsement requires retaking the HazMat Knowledge Test and receiving a new TSA HME Threat Assessment.
Note: The definition of Hazardous Materials includes those materials designated by the Secretary of the Department of Transportation as posing an unreasonable threat to the public and the environment. The term "Hazardous Materials" includes all the following: (1) Hazardous Substances, (2) Hazardous Wastes, (3) Marine Pollutants, (4) Elevated Temperature Material (5) Materials identified in 172.101, and (6) Materials meeting the definitions contained in Part 173.
Commonly Used Forms