HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ENDORSEMENT

An applicant for a Hazardous Material Endorsement (HME) must be at least 21 years old, be eligible to obtain valid CDL class A, B or C  and present proof of one of the following lawful statuses in the United States:

• A citizen of the U.S. who has not renounced his/her U.S. citizenship
• A lawful permanent resident of the U.S. as defined in section 101(a)(20) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
• A lawful nonimmigrant in possession of valid, unrestricted employment authorization
• A refugee admitted under section 8 U.S.C. 1157 in possession of valid, unrestricted employment authorization
• In asylum status under section 8 U.S.C. 1158 in possession of valid, unrestricted employment authorization

If this is your first time getting a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) on your CDL, you must complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) before you can take the Hazardous Materials Knowledge Test. However, if you were previously issued an HME in Alaska or another state, ELDT is not required.

Information about ELDT and other exceptions can be found here on our website.

If you had a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) in another state, you must show proof of that endorsement before taking the Hazardous Materials Knowledge Test in Alaska for the first time.

You can prove the endorsement with either a valid or expired CDL from the other state, or a Certified Driving Record from that state.

The Hazardous Material Knowledge Test is a 30 question multiple choice written test that you must complete prior to the issuance of your HME including:

• Original issuance
• Renewal of the HME endorsement
• Transfer of the HME endorsement from another state

A score of 80% or higher is required to pass the exam. Questions are taken from the Alaska CDL drivers manual found here. 

Tests can be taken in person at one of our many DMV locations or with an eligible business partner. Not all partners conduct CDL knowledge tests so please contact them prior to visiting the office.

You are allowed to take the test once per day and no fee is charged for tests taken at a DMV location however business partner tests may require a fee. 

Prior to  an original issuance, renewal, out of state transfer or upgrade of a Hazardous Material Endorsement (HME) an individual must present satisfactory proof of completion of a Security Threat Assessment.

Satisfactory proof includes:

• A valid and unexpired Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC)

Or

• Verifiable results from a completed TSA Hazardous Materials Threat Assessment issued within the previous 6 months

Please note: Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) and the TSA threat assessments are issued by the Department of Homeland Security and are not available through DMV. These should be obtained in advance of your trip to obtain your endorsement.

For information on obtaining these to documents or where a threat assessment can be conducted in Alaska is found on the TSA's website.

• Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC)
• TSA Hazmat Threat Assessment Program

The TSA established security measures to help protect the national transportation system by adding more safeguards to who can transport the most dangerous commercial products. These measures help the TSA fulfill its obligation under the USA PATRIOT Act by ensuring the secure transportation of a range of products from chlorine to gasoline.

Starting on January 31, 2005 individuals who apply for or renew after May 30, 2005 the HME on their CDL must complete a HAZMAT application and provide fingerprints that will be used to check criminal history. Other checks will include citizenship status and international and federal databases for persons who:

• have been convicted of certain felonies;
• are not U.S. citizens or are not lawful permanent residents;
• have been adjudicated as mentally incompetent or involuntarily committed to a mental institution; or
• who present a threat of terrorism or a threat to national transportation security.

List of criminal disqualifiers for the TSA security threat assessment for HME and TWIC applicants, as of February 5, 2007.

Part A: Permanently Disqualifying Criminal Offenses:

An applicant will be permanently disqualified from holding a TWIC or a HME on a CDL if he or she was convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity for any of the following felonies:

• Espionage
• Sedition
• Treason
• A federal crime of terrorism as defined in 18 U.S.C. 2332b(g), or comparable State law .
• A crime involving a transportation security incident.
• Improper transportation of a hazardous material under 49 U.S.C. 5124 or a State law that is comparable.
• Unlawful possession, use, sale, distribution, manufacture, purchase, receipt, transfer, shipping, transporting, import, export, storage of, or dealing in an explosive or explosive device.
• Murder
• Making any threat, or maliciously conveying false information knowing the same to be false, concerning the deliverance, placement, or detonating of an explosive or other lethal device in or against a place of public use, a state or government facility, a public transportation system, or an infrastructure facility.
• Violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. 1961, et seq., or a State law that is comparable, where one of the predicate acts found by a jury or admitted by the defendant, consists of one of the offenses listed in Part A of this section.
• Conspiracy or attempt to commit any of these crimes.

Part B: Interim Disqualifying Offenses

A driver will be disqualified from holding a TWIC or a HME on a CDL if he or she was convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity within the previous seven years or was released from prison in the last five years for any of the following felonies:

• Unlawful possession, use, sale, manufacture, purchase, distribution, receipt, transfer, shipping, transporting, delivery, import, export of, or dealing in a firearm or other weapon.
• Extortion
• Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud
• Bribery
• Smuggling
• Immigration violations
• Distribution of, intent to distribute, or importation of a controlled substance.
• Arson
• Kidnapping or hostage taking
• Rape or aggravated sexual abuse
• Assault with intent to murder
• Robbery
• Fraudulent entry into a seaport as described in 18 U.S.C. 1036, or a comparable State law.
• Violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. 1961, et seq., or a State law that is comparable, other than the violations listed in paragraph (j) of Part A: Permanently Disqualifying Criminal Offenses.
• Conspiracy or attempt to commit the any of these crimes.

Part C: Under Want or Warrant:

A driver will be disqualified from holding a TWIC or a HME on a CDL if he or she is wanted or under indictment in any civilian or military jurisdiction for a felony listed under Part A or Part B until the want or warrant is released.

If the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) determines that the background records check information is sensitive or may compromise national security, the information cannot be released. However, if the information is not sensitive, TSA will release the information to the driver.

No, not directly. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) determines the driver's eligibility for a HME and then notifies DMV whether the driver may or may not be issued an HME. DMV updates a driver's permanent driving record with the results of the TSA background check (i.e. eligible or not eligible). If an employer requests a driver's permanent driving record it will indicate whether a driver is eligible or not eligible to transport hazardous materials.

The TSA will use records in the national CDL information system to identify all HME drivers. TSA will check for a criminal record on these drivers and any records that are found are reviewed against a list of approximately 21 serious crimes. When the criminal record check shows that a CDL HME holder has committed a serious crime, the driver and state licensing authorities are notified that the driver must surrender the HME.

Only CDL holders applying for an original, renewal or transfer with a HME are required to have a background records check and be fingerprinted.

The driver, or his or her employer, is responsible for paying all fees collected by the TSA agent for the background records check and for fees charged for fingerprint collection.

If you refuse or fail to complete the background records check you are ineligible for a HME. You will be prohibited from transporting hazardous materials until the background records check is approved and the HME is added to your CDL.

The Hazardous Materials Endorsement will have its own expiration date printed on the reverse of the CDL.  The individual will not be authorized to transport hazardous material after this date, however the remainder of the CDL will be valid until the expiration date printed on the card.

The expiration date will be tied to the expiration date of a Transportation Worker Identification Card presented or the last day authorized by the returned TSA Hazmat Threat Assessment program.  

This date is usually up to but not exceeding 5 years from the date of the threat assessment application however TSA will ultimately determine this date and may choose a shorter duration. 

A TSA threat assessment issued within the last 6 months or valid TWIC is required prior to the issuance of a new HME expiration date. 

CDL generally have an expiration date of 8 years and a HME of 5 years. 

The background records check is not required until your HME is due for renewal.

It is recommended that drivers begin the HME application process at least 30 days before their endorsement expires unless they hold a valid TWIC. 

If your CDL is within 1 year of expiration you may renew the credential and maintain the original HME expiration date stated on the back of the card without the need to complete another TSA Threat Assessment.

If both the CDL expiration date and the HME endorsement is being renewed a new Threat Assessment or valid TWIC is required.

Drivers whose CDL is not up for renewal may surrender the HME to the nearest driver licensing office and obtain a duplicate CDL for $35.00. 

An individual who does not wish to complete a new knowledge test or threat assessment and is transferring an out of state CDL may surrender the endorsement and maintain the remainder of the CDL including other endorsements and restrictions at the time of application. 

If the driver license is due to expire within the next 12 months or this is the first time you are receiving a CDL a fee of $120.00 will be due.

HME holders will be notified by mail at least 60 days prior to the expiration of their endorsement. It is critical that you keep your mailing and resident address current with the department so that you may receive these notices in a timely manner. You can notify the department of an address change on our website here or in person at any processing location.

It is recommended that HME holders allow at least 30 days to make application to TSA and complete the background records check or obtain a valid Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC). 

No. A hazardous material endorsement (HME) is only available for a holder of a commercial class of license A, B or C in Alaska. 

Current HME holders whose license and endorsement is valid while the background records check is being conducted may continue transporting hazardous materials until either their endorsement or license expire respectively.

If the HME expires the driver will be prohibited from transporting hazardous materials until DMV receives notice from TSA that the driver is eligible and they have passed the HME knowledge test again and completed an application to renew the endorsement on their CDL.

No. Anyone required to have a CDL to transport hazardous materials will be required to be fingerprinted and complete a background records check in order to be issued a HME either through the TSA Threat Assessment or application process for a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC).

Yes, a driver may appeal a decision that makes the driver ineligible for an HME. Information regarding an appeal can be obtained by contacting TSA at 571-227-3200.

the TSA website provides a tool to locate a processing center near you. See here to search for available locations.

The cost for the TSA threat assessment is collected by the agency that processes the threat assessment no fees are collected by the DMV for the issuance of assessments or TWIC cards. 

You can locate the cost of these services on the TSA's website here.

The State of Alaska, Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is complying with the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56 enacted by Congress on October 25, 2001) that apply to commercial drivers transporting Hazardous Materials.

The USA Patriot Act regulations require that all persons who have, renew and apply for a CDL with a HME must undergo a security threat assessment by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TSA has set criteria to determine if a driver is ineligible to transport hazardous materials. A list of disqualifying criteria is located below.

• Ineligible drivers are required to immediately surrender their HME at any driver licensing office.
• Beginning January 31, 2005 the Division of Motor Vehicles will not issue any new Alaska licenses with a HME unless the driver has a TSA security clearance or waiver.
• Beginning May 31, 2005 DMV will not renew any HME unless the driver has a TSA security clearance or waiver.

For more information;

It is standard operating procedure for TSA to notify drivers of the results via U.S. mail. However, TSA has recently added a customer service support feature in the event that a driver has not received such notification from TSA after 30 days. Drivers may now call 1-877-429-7746 to inquire whether their applications have been received or if TSA has finished processing their applications. A driver must provide identifying information such as name, social security number, or commercial driver license number to initiate a status inquiry. Status information will not be given to others affiliated with the drivers, such as associates, family members, spouses, or employers. Additionally, no specific information that indicates whether or not a driver may pose a security threat will be provided over the phone.

Transportation Security Administration . . . . (866) 289-9673

Waiver and Appeal Information . . . . . . . . . . (571) 227-3200

TSA is coordinating efforts at the national level with the Department of Justice, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.