Transportation Security Administration/TWIC
The Transportation Security Administration was formed immediately following the tragedies of September 11. TSA is a component of the Department of Homeland Security and is responsible for security of the nation's transportation systems.
The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program is a Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Coast Guard initiative.
News/Updates
- 06/21/10 Grant Programs Directorate Information Bulletin No. 343
- This Information Bulletin (IB) provides guidance to Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) and Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) grantees and sub-grantees that have received funding for the installation and operation of TWIC readers, networks, and support systems in their port area(s), facility(ies), and vessel(s).
- Information Bulletin No. 343
- 12/08/09 Interim Policy Guidance for DoD Access Control
- 11/09 GAO TWIC Report to Congressional Requesters
- 10/08/09 The TWIC Program staff is requesting comments from stakeholders for consideration in the upcoming revision of the TWIC Disclosure and Certification Form. See the Request for Comments document below for additional information. Comments are due by Friday October 23.
- 10/07/09 Seamen's Church Institute of New York and New Jersey Shore Leave Survey
- 10/02/09 Seafarers Shore Access on Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) Facilities
- 08/26/09 TSA Proposal to Add New Procedures for Public Reporting of TSA Problems
- 07/21/09 TSA Revision of Enforcement Procedures
- 05/19/09 Maritime Exchange Comments to USCG TWIC Docket 2007-28915
- 04/24/09 Camden, NJ TWIC Enrollment Center Relocation to Philadelphia
- 04/10/09 Paulsboro, NJ TWIC Enrollment Center Relocation
- 04/01/09 Policy Advisory Council - Policy 07-08 Change 8
- 03/27/09 Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - TWIC Reader Requirements
- 03/26/09 Pennsbury Manor, PA TWIC Enrollment Center Relocation to Philadelphia
- 03/26/09 Chester, PA TWIC Enrollment Center Relocation to Philadelphia
- 03/26/09 Camden, NJ TWIC Enrollment Center Relocation to Paulsboro
- 03/13/09 Port of Marcus Hook, PA TWIC Enrollment Center Relocation to Philadelphia
- 02/20/09 Policy Advisory Council - Policy 07-08 Change 5
- 02/03/09 Sector Delaware Bay Temporary Authority to Extend Unescorted Access to Individuals Awaiting Receipt of a Replacement TWIC
- (01/28/09) TWIC Information Bulletin: Agencies Qualifying for “Federal Officials” Exemption
- 01/19/09 TWIC Enrollment Center Relocation for Wilmington, DE
- 01/07/09 TWIC Enrollment at New Castle, DE
- 12/15/08 TWIC Reminder Banner
- 12/12/08 Policy Advisory Council - Policy 07-08 Change 3
- 12/04/08 Paulsboro, NJ TWIC Enrollment Center Address Clarification
- 11/25/08 Policy Advisory Council - Policy 07-08 Change 2
- 11/24/08 Policy Advisory Council - Policy 09-08
- 11/14/08 Policy Advisory Council - Policy 08-08
- 11/07/08 Clarification on the Compliance Date for Mariners, Vessels and Outer Continental Shelf Facilities
- 10/29/08 TWIC Flyer for Truckers
- 10/27/08 Planned Framework for Phased-in COTP Zone Compliance
- 10/25/08 TWIC Location Clarifications for Camden, NJ; Chester, PA; and Marcus Hook, PA
- 10/16/08 Sector Delaware Bay Pre-Enforcement Compliance Meeting
- 10/10/08 Policy Advisory Council - Policy 06-08
- 10/10/08 New Hire Provisions of TWIC Regulations
- 10/08/08 Wilmington, DE TWIC Enrollment Center - New Hours of Operation
- 09/30/08 Policy Advisory Council - Policy 05-08
- 09/17/08 GAO TWIC Testimony
- 09/09/08 TWIC Compliance Port Brief
- Enforcement Flyers and Pocket Cards
- 09/09/08 Sector Delaware Bay TWIC Compliance Begins December 30, 2008
- 08/28/08 Owners and operators of facilities located within Captain of the Port Zones Baltimore, Delaware Bay, Mobile, Lower Mississippi River, Ohio Valley, Pittsburgh, and San Diego must implement access control procedures utilizing TWIC no later than December 30, 2008
- 08/26/08 Planned Framework for Phased-in COTP Zone Compliance
- 08/06/08 TWIC Enrollment at Camden, NJ relocates effective August 11, 2008
- 07/31/08 TWIC Outreach Flyer for Truck Drivers
- 07/30/08 Delaware River TWIC Working Group Conference Call
- 07/30/08 NMSAC Recommendations to DHS on TWIC
- 07/17/08 TSA Training for Escorts FAQ
- 07/03/08 TWIC Framework for Expected Compliance Dates
- 06/23/08 TWIC Enrollment Centers by COTP Zone
- 06/11/08 TWIC Enrollment at Camden, NJ will Begin on June 12, 2008
- 05/23/08 TWIC Enrollment at Chester, PA will Begin on June 18, 2008
- 05/23/08 TWIC Enrollment at Paulsboro, New Jersey will Begin on May 29, 2008
- 05/12/08 Listing of TWIC Enrollments by Occupation
- 05/09/08 TWIC Enrollment at Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania will Begin on May 21, 2008
- TWIC pre-enrollment is now open for the Port of Marcus Hook, PA and enrollment will begin there on May 21, 2008. Additional information, including an enrollment center address and hours of operation, will follow before enrollment begins.
- TWIC is Coming to Marcus Hook - PDF: English - Spanish
- Pre-enrollment Instructions - PDF: English - Spanish
- 05/02/08 DHS Realigns TWIC Compliance Date
- The U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the final compliance date for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program will be April 15, 2009, which reflects a realignment of the Sept. 25, 2008 compliance date set in the final rule. The seven month extension is a direct result of collaboration with port officials and industry, and realigns the enrollment period with the original intent of the TWIC final rule.
- Full Press Release (pdf)
- 05/07/08 TWIC Final Rule Extension of Compliance to 04/15/09
- 03/12/08 TWIC Final Rule Amendment Adds the E-2 Visa as One of the Permissible Visa Categories for TWIC Applicants
- 02/18/08 TWIC Mobile Enrollment Site Requirements Final
- 01/23/08 Wilmington, DE New TWIC Enrollment Information
- The hours of operation for the Port of Wilmington, DE have changed to Monday-Friday 8:00am to 5:30 pm.
- New TWIC Enrollment Information
- 12/13/07 Stakeholder Requests Bulk Payments at Mobile or Fixed Sites
- Lockheed Martin’s policies for bulk payment for TWIC applicants. The bulk payment option is provided to give stakeholders additional flexibility in how they purchase TWIC credentials for applicants within their organizations.
- 12/10/07
- 12/06/07 TWIC enrollment at the Port of Philadelphia begins on December 13, 2007.
- 12/05/07 TSCC Meeting Update
- 12/05/07 Stakeholder Requests for Hosted Mobile Enrollment Sites Procedures and Requirements
- 11/26/07 TWIC Enrollment at the Port of Philadelphia will Begin on December 13, 2007
- 11/19/07 TWIC Reader Pilot Vendor Day Presentations
- 11/08/07 TWIC Meeting Notice
- The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that it and the TSA will host a public meeting in Washington, DC on November 19 to discuss the TWIC reader hardware and card application specification.
- Federal Register Notice
- 10/30/07 TWIC Quarterly Deployment Plan
- 10/09/07 TWIC Enrollment in Wilmington, DE Will Begin on October 16, 2007
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued this notice of the dates for the beginning of the initial enrollment for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) for the Port of Wilmington, in Wilmington, DE.
- Federal Register Notice
- 10/04/07 Communications Materials
- 10/03/07 Initial Rollout Press Release
- 10/02/07 TSA Public Affairs Guidance
- 10/02/07 TWIC FAQ Version 3
- 09/28/07 TWIC Implementation in the Maritime Sector; Hazardous Materials Endorsement for a Commercial Driver's License
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard), issued this final rule to amend provisions of its previously issued final rule, to allow for greater participation in the TWIC program and codify final fees to obtain a TWIC.
- Final Rule (PDF)
- TWIC Secure Area Re-Definition Checklist
- 09/27/07 Updated List of Enrollment Center Port Locations
- 9/20/07 Final Reader Specification
- 9/14/07 TWIC Small Business Guides
- 8/27/07 Sector Delaware Bay TWIC Brief/Presentations
- 07/18/07 TWIC Communications Materials
- 07/13/07 TWIC Implementation in the Maritime Sector; Hazardous Materials Endorsement for a Commercial Driver's License
- SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard), issues this final rule to extend compliance dates for the redesignation of secure areas. The Coast Guard is delaying the date by which facilities wishing to redefine their secure areas must submit an amendment to their facility security plan. Amendments to facility security plans are now due by September 4, 2007.
- Final Rule (PDF)
- 07/02/07 Guidance for the Implementation of the TWIC Program - NVIC #03-07
- 05/17/2007 Initial Adjudication & Appeal Presentation
- 04/30/07 DRAFT Appeal-Waiver Guidelines
- 04/30/07 TWIC Threat Assessment Redress Process Brief
- 04/27/07 TWIC Enrollment Site List
- 03/26/07 Federal Register - TWIC Final Rule Corrections
- 03/20/07 Federal Register - Rule Establish Standard TWIC User Fee
- 03/19/07 Federal Register Confirmation of Effective Date
- The Coast Guard issued a confirmation of effective date; approval of new Collection of Information (COI) requiring vessel and facility owners and operators wishing to grant unescorted access to a new hire prior to receipt of a TWIC to enter the new employee information into a CG owned and maintained web site.
- Full Notice
- 03/16/07 Federal Register - Request for Comments
- The Coast Guard announced the availability of a draft Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) biometric reader specification and a draft TWIC contactless smart card application. These draft documents have been recommended to the Coast Guard by the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee. The CG requests your comments on these draft recommended specifications, and on specific questions found at the end of the notice. Comments and related material must reach the Docket Management Facility on or before March 30, 2007.
- Full Notice
- 03/28/07 MEX Summary of TWIC Presentation
- 03/07/07 Presentations from FSO TWIC Outreach Meeting
- 02/07/07 TSA Makes Final Rule Corrections
- 01/29/07 TSA Awards TWIC Contract to Lockheed Martin
- 02/07/07 MEX Summary of TWIC Rule
- 01/25/07 Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Implementation in the Maritime Sector; Hazardous Materials Endorsement for a Commercial Driver’s License - Final Rule; Request for Comments
- With this final rule, the Coast Guard amends its regulations on vessel and facility security to require the use of the TWIC as an access control measure. The Coast Guard also amends its merchant mariner regulations to incorporate the requirement to obtain a TWIC. This final rule does not include the card reader requirements for owners and operators set forth in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) issued in this matter on May 22, 2006. Such requirements will be addressed in a future rulemaking. Although the card reader requirements are not being implemented at this time, the Coast Guard will institute periodic unannounced checks to confirm the identity of the holder of the TWIC.
- Final Rule (Text)
- Final Rule (PDF)
- 1/25/07 Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Consolidation of Merchant Mariner Qualification Credentials
- The Coast Guard issued this Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) for the Consolidation of Merchant Mariner Qualification Credentials rulemaking project to amend its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published in May 2006. The purpose of this SNPRM is to address comments received from the public on the NPRM, revise the proposed rule based on those comments, and provide the public with an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed revisions. This revised proposed rule would work in tandem with the joint final rule published by the Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published elsewhere in today's Federal Register entitled ``Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Implementation in the Maritime Sector; Hazardous Materials Endorsement for a Commercial Driver's License''. Comments and related material must reach the Docket Management Facility on or before April 25, 2007.
- Full SNPRM
- 01/10/07 TWIC DRAFT NVIC For Comment
- USCG issued a DRAFT Navigation and Vessel Inspection guidance for the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program in the maritime sector.
- Full Draft NVIC
- 01/03/07 DHS Issues Credentialing Rule
- 12/29/06 TWIC Privacy Policy
- 10/23/06 GAO Report on TWIC: DHS Should Address Key Challenges before Implementing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential Program
- DHS and industry stakeholders face three major challenges in addressing problems identified during TWIC program testing and ensuring that key components of the TWIC program can work effectively in the maritime sector.
- Enrolling workers and issuing TWIC cards in a timely manner to a significantly larger population of workers than was done during testing of the TWIC program.
- Ensuring that the TWIC technology, such as biometric card readers, works effectively in the maritime sector. TSA has obtained limited information on the use of biometric readers in the maritime sector because most facilities that tested the TWIC program did not use these types of readers.
- Balancing the added security components of the TWIC program with the potential impact that the program could have on the flow of maritime commerce.
- Download GAO Report
- 08/21/06 TWIC Proposed Rule; Notice of Comment
- From the Federal Register: August 21, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 161)
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Implementation in the Maritime Sector; Hazardous Materials Endorsement for a Commercial Driver's License
- Download Federal Register Notice
- 06/16/06 Maritime Exchange TWIC Comments on TSA and USCG Dockets
- 06/12/06 Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Updates
- 06/02/06 TWIC and Consolidation of Merchant Mariners Qualification Credentials Public Meeting Presentation
- 06/01/06 Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and Consolidation of Merchant Mariners Qualification Credentials Guidelines
- 05/22/06 TWIC Implementation in the Maritime Sector; Hazardous Materials Endorsement for a Commercial Driver’s License
- This is a notice of proposed rulemaking by the Department of Homeland Security, specifically by the Transportation Security Administration and the United States Coast Guard. If promulgated, this rule would implement the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program in the maritime sector. Under this program, merchant mariners holding an active License, Merchant Mariner Document, or Certificate of Registry and workers who require unescorted access to secure areas at maritime facilities or on vessels must undergo a security threat assessment, and, if found to not pose a security threat, obtain a transportation Worker Identification Credential. Persons without Transportation Worker Identification Credentials will not be granted unescorted access to secure areas at affected maritime facilities or on vessels.
- Download Full Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
- 05/10/06 DHS Issues Proposed Rulemakings for Transportation Worker Identification Credential and Merchant Mariner Credential
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Coast Guard today took another step toward the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) by approving proposed regulations for a biometric-based identification credential for port workers. The notice of proposed rulemaking will be published in the Federal Register in the coming days and lays out specific details on the program. The public will have forty-five days to comment and four public meetings will be hosted by TSA and Coast Guard to solicit public input.
- (Download full press release as PDF)
- (DRAFT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for TWIC implementation)
- 04/28/06 Coast Guard Issued Notice of Acceptable Identification Credentials
- 04/05/06 National Maritime Security Advisory Council Credentialing Work Group Minutes of February 23, 2006 Teleconference
- The National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) Credentialing Work Group (CWG) met via teleconference on 23 February 2006, to get updated on the regulations being written by the Coast Guard (CG) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regarding the development of a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) for the maritime sector. Executive Director, Captain Frank Sturm, called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. The minutes are a synopsis of the teleconference.
- (Download minutes as PDF)
- 02/09/06 TSA/TWIC Open Issues
- 05/06/05 National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) Approves TWIC Recommendations
- 03/29/05 TWIC Sponsorship Information
- December 2004 GAO Report: Better Planning Needed to Develop and Operate Maritime Worker Identification Card Program
- TWIC Stakeholder Brief X3.4 July 04
