Introduction
The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card is key to security and efficiency in the transportation industry. As an identification verification tool for transportation workers, it’s a must-have in protecting against security risks in critical transportation infrastructure. While not always required, you should find out if your job or company needs one.
TWIC cards are for transportation workers because it’s a single identification across all transportation modes. Having a TWIC card means you meet security requirements and regulations. TWIC cards get you into secure areas of transportation facilities faster and more efficiently. Give transportation workers the credentials and TWIC cards to secure the protocol and make the transportation network run smoother—for workers and stakeholders.
What is a TWIC Card?
The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card is a key to maritime facilities vessels and operations within the maritime industry. This is what a TWIC card is and why it matters to security and threats in maritime facilities and vessels.
The TWIC program was a game changer for security in the maritime industry. It’s access control and identity verification for transportation workers. Now it’s part of daily operations in secure maritime facilities. Rigorous screening and biometrics make the TWIC program a single credential to get authorized people into restricted areas of maritime facilities and vessels and protect the infrastructure.
How to Get a TWIC Card
Getting a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card is a multi-step process to meet security requirements and make the application easy. Individuals visit a TWIC enrollment center and follow the application process.
At the TWIC enrollment center, you show proof of identity and TWIC eligibility. That’s a birth certificate, driver’s license, or other forms of ID. You also capture biometric fingerprint templates. That’s a key step in the TWIC application. Biometric templates are who you are and are needed to issue the TWIC card.
Throughout the application process, enrollment center staff explain and guide you. Information about the TWIC application center—location, hours, and contact— is available to you throughout the application.
Benefits of Having a TWIC Card
Having a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card means transportation workers get unescorted access to maritime facilities and vessels. With a TWIC card, you get into restricted areas of maritime facilities faster and more easily and to the infrastructure.
Note: Unescorted access means no escort or chaperone is required.
And TWIC cards help security in the transportation industry. Give transportation workers a standard credential and biometric identification and the TWIC program secures the protocol and reduces the risk of unauthorized access and security breaches.
TWIC cards also secure trade and commerce by getting authorized people into secure areas needed for the movement of goods and services. Whether in maritime, rail, or trucking, having a TWIC card means you meet security requirements and that’s trust and confidence in the transportation network. The benefits of a TWIC card go far beyond personal convenience—safety, efficiency, and security of transportation and trade.
TWIC Card Renewal and Replacement
Having a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card means uninterrupted access to transportation facilities and operations. Knowing when and how to renew your TWIC card is key to security requirements and no work disruptions.
When your TWIC card is about to expire, you need to renew it on time. Renewal means visiting a TWIC enrollment center and following the steps to update and get a new card. That way you stay in restricted areas of maritime facilities and vessels.
If your TWIC card expires or is lost, you need to act fast to minimize disruption. Report the loss or expiration and follow the TWIC program’s procedures to get a replacement card. Information on TWIC card renewal and replacement is available to help you through the process of keeping your credentials and getting back into secure transportation facilities.
In the worst-case scenario, if your TWIC card expires or is lost, you need to act fast. Report the loss or expiration and follow the TWIC program’s process to get a new card. TWIC card renewal and replacement information, including documents and procedures, is available to help you through that.
Cost and Fees for TWIC Cards
Getting a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card has costs and fees. Individuals should know that before they apply. Knowing the TWIC card cost is for budgeting and planning.
The TWIC card cost is a base fee for processing and issuing the credential. There’s a non-refundable fee for biometric capture and background checks, which is part of the TWIC application. For new applicants, a TWIC card costs $125.25. To replace a lost or damaged TWIC card, it’s $60.
However, some individuals may be eligible for lower rates. If you have a driver’s license with a hazardous material endorsement or a Free and Secure Trade card, you can apply for the lower rate of $93. Those lower rates are for veterans and others with specific credentials. Information on lower rates and eligibility is available to help you see if you qualify for lower fees and get a TWIC card cheaper.
However, some people may be eligible for lower rates. If you have a driver’s license with a hazardous material endorsement or a Free and Secure Trade card, you can apply for $93. Those are lower rates for veterans and others. Information on lower rates and eligibility is available to help you see if you qualify for lower fees and get into TWIC cards cheaper.
Security and Compliance
Security and compliance in the transportation industry are protecting infrastructure, people, and assets. Knowing the process and people involved in security threat assessment and compliance is for transportation workers to get and use a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card.
Security threat assessment and background checks are hard—background and risk factors. TSA and the Coast Guard do it together. That’s to find security threats and concerns to transportation.
TSA and the Coast Guard are involved in the TWIC program and security in the maritime industry. They work together to make sure security is high and people in secure areas have the card and have been vetted.
TSA and Coast Guard are in the TWIC program and security in the maritime industry. They make sure security is high and people in secure areas have their card and have been checked. TWIC program has a visual canceled card list to help personnel see invalid or expired TWIC cards. That’s to make sure only people with a valid card get into transportation facilities and operations.
TWIC NexGen Cards
Next-generation Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card. TWIC NexGen is higher security and more functionality in the transportation industry. It’s the next step up from the original TWIC card.
One of the cool things about the TWIC NexGen card is the holographic laminate. That’s another layer of security. Holographic elements are hard to duplicate, so it’s harder for counterfeiters to make fake cards. TWIC NexGen has contactless reader technology, so you don’t have to touch a reader to authenticate.
Special Considerations
Truck drivers and people with hazardous materials endorsements have special considerations when getting a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card. For truck drivers and people with hazardous materials endorsements, the TWIC card is a required credential to get into secure transportation facilities and comply with hazardous materials transport regulations.
Lawful permanent residents (LPRs) applying for a TWIC card have different things to consider. LPRs can apply for a TWIC card, but they need to provide more documentation to prove immigration status and eligibility. Knowing the LPR application process will make it easier and faster to get a TWIC card. People should know how to report not receiving a TWIC card and how to update their home address so they receive correspondence and their card stays valid.
Conclusion
In short, TWIC cards are super important for maritime security. TWIC cardholders are part of the security and safety of transportation infrastructure, maritime facilities, and vessels. So, eligible transportation workers should get or renew their TWIC cards to make security and transportation more efficient.
Having a TWIC card means you comply with security regulations and protect your infrastructure. Whether first-time or renewing, getting a TWIC card is to stay in secure maritime facilities and operations. So, get your TWIC card and support maritime security and the transportation industry.
