AJ's HazMat Time

I'm moving on with my HazMat endorsement during my transition week.

So, let's see if I have this correct.

I go to HazPrints.com and get the background stuff out of the way with Homeland Security where I pay around $80.

Then I go to a specific branch for fingerprinting, etc.

I see TWIC mentioned in this process. Will this Hazmat endorsement automatically get me a TWIC card or is this something extra. I also thought I heard at one point that the TWIC card is the one to get , vs another card that I don't remember the name of.

Any guidance through this pinnacle of bureaucracy would be greatly appreciated. :)

Btw... I'm just starting the High Road hazmat section, so all may be answered within those pages.

I'm moving on with my HazMat endorsement during my transition week.

So, let's see if I have this correct.

I go to HazPrints.com and get the background stuff out of the way with Homeland Security where I pay around $80.

Then I go to a specific branch for fingerprinting, etc.

I see TWIC mentioned in this process. Will this Hazmat endorsement automatically get me a TWIC card or is this something extra. I also thought I heard at one point that the TWIC card is the one to get , vs another card that I don't remember the name of.

Any guidance through this pinnacle of bureaucracy would be greatly appreciated. :)

That is pretty close except for the Hazmat and TWIC background checks are two different checks but they check the same exact thing. Just a way to make more money. You will will have to pay for two background checks which is already added in the price of the hazmat and TWIC.

To be perfectly honest hazmat is the main thing to get. TWIC gives you access to ports without having an escort. Since I have stopped doing port loads, they are not offered at Werner, I have not pulled my TWIC card out of my wallet once since 2012.

But if you have the money and just want to get it then go for it. I don't actually believe it has any bearing on what a company is looking for unless that company does a port operation.

I'm moving on with my HazMat endorsement during my transition week.

So, let's see if I have this correct.

I go to HazPrints.com and get the background stuff out of the way with Homeland Security where I pay around $80.

Then I go to a specific branch for fingerprinting, etc.

I see TWIC mentioned in this process. Will this Hazmat endorsement automatically get me a TWIC card or is this something extra. I also thought I heard at one point that the TWIC card is the one to get , vs another card that I don't remember the name of.

Any guidance through this pinnacle of bureaucracy would be greatly appreciated. :)

That is pretty close except for the Hazmat and TWIC background checks are two different checks but they check the same exact thing. Just a way to make more money. You will will have to pay for two background checks which is already added in the price of the hazmat and TWIC.

To be perfectly honest hazmat is the main thing to get. TWIC gives you access to ports without having an escort. Since I have stopped doing port loads, they are not offered at Werner, I have not pulled my TWIC card out of my wallet once since 2012.

But if you have the money and just want to get it then go for it. I don't actually believe it has any bearing on what a company is looking for unless that company does a port operation.

grazie :)

Guy is right on.

If you are planning on getting fingerprints near Nashville, the place is on McGavock Pike across the street from the Opryland Hotel. I did it a couple months ago and it was pretty quick.

I would go ahead and take the practice tests on the TN.Gov website along with the High Road as some of the wording is a bit different. That is what I did and didn't miss one question on the real test.

I think the other card you are talking about is the passport card. That is used for crossing borders. I just sent mine in for renewal as I will be going into Canada more often.

I like to be prepared (as it seems you do too), but, I did not get the TWIC card. We just do not do the port stuff often. I have been to one in the last 14 months.

Guy is right on.

If you are planning on getting fingerprints near Nashville, the place is on McGavock Pike across the street from the Opryland Hotel. I did it a couple months ago and it was pretty quick.

I would go ahead and take the practice tests on the TN.Gov website along with the High Road as some of the wording is a bit different. That is what I did and didn't miss one question on the real test.

I think the other card you are talking about is the passport card. That is used for crossing borders. I just sent mine in for renewal as I will be going into Canada more often.

I like to be prepared (as it seems you do too), but, I did not get the TWIC card. We just do not do the port stuff often. I have been to one in the last 14 months.

Thanks, brother....Wonderfully informative as always. :)

Another Question...

The guy at the DMV , when I was getting my CDL A finalized, asked me if I was going to get a Hazmat endorsement. He then handed me a self-certification form SF-1438 (Tennessee). I went ahead and emailed the pdf scans of that form and my DOT medical card. I'm not sure what that does.

I need to be fingerprinted sooner or later, so, in the end, I need to go to one of those stations. I also filled out the Hazprints.com pre form and set up a walk in appointment to go to the above mentioned station in Cookeville, TN.

We shall see... I'm going to wait for my hard license to arrive ( instead of taking the temp paper one down there)

I'm moving on with my HazMat endorsement during my transition week.

So, let's see if I have this correct.

I go to HazPrints.com and get the background stuff out of the way with Homeland Security where I pay around $80.

Then I go to a specific branch for fingerprinting, etc.

I see TWIC mentioned in this process. Will this Hazmat endorsement automatically get me a TWIC card or is this something extra. I also thought I heard at one point that the TWIC card is the one to get , vs another card that I don't remember the name of.

Any guidance through this pinnacle of bureaucracy would be greatly appreciated. :)

I can only speak for Texas, but here you have to take the Hazmat Exam at the DMV 1st, then once you pass they give you a document to take to a local identogo office for background and prints. Typically they will tell you it could take up to 60-90 days to get your Hazmat granted. This is where my TWIC card came in handy. Since I already had my TWIC a large portion of the Federal Background check was already done and TSA/FBI used the info from my TWIC to speed up the process. My Background check passed and the DMV office got my clearance in one week and mailed my new CDL with the new endorsement and received it in about 8-9 days. So I got lucky and the total time from testing to hazmat in hand was only 2 weeks.

I now have ALL endorsements, TWIC and Passport just so it would make me more marketable and hopefully open up more opportunities.

This comment is not meant to answer any questions, just wanted to say "hey" to a fellow Cookevillian, or someone in this area.

Sorry if this I frowned upon here. :)

AJ, after you get your fingerprints done and have been cleared to test, you will have 90 days to do so or you will have to start over. (I did like a dummy). They won't even begin to clear you until they get your prints.

This comment is not meant to answer any questions, just wanted to say "hey" to a fellow Cookevillian, or someone in this area.

Sorry if this I frowned upon here. :)

Welcome, neighbor ! I'm sure it's just fine :)