PMAA Contact: Mark S. Morgan Regulatory Counsel: mmorgan@pmaa.org or PMAA VP Sherri Stone sstone@pmaa.org 

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), DHS, is granting a temporary exemption from requirements in 49 CFR part 1572 regarding the expiration of certain Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWICs). For the duration of this exemption, TSA will extend the expiration date of TWICs that expired on or after March 1, 2020, by 180 days.

Eligibility. This exemption applies to TWICs that expire on or after March 1, 2020.

New Expiration Dates for Eligible TWICs. For the duration of this exemption, the expiration date for an eligible TWIC is 180 days after the expiration date that appears on the face of the credential. TSA deems these eligible TWICs to be valid for the purpose of unescorted access to secured areas of maritime facilities and vessels. If the 180-day period extends beyond the duration of this temporary exemption, the TWIC will be valid for the remainder of the extended 180-day period based on the expiration date of the TWIC.

Continuation of Vetting. For the duration of the exemption, TSA will continue to recurrently vet the holders of the eligible TWICs against governmental watch lists for security threat, criminal history, and immigration status. TSA retains its full authority to suspend or immediately revoke an individual’s TWIC if the agency determines the holder is no longer eligible, in accordance with 49 CFR 1572.5(b) and 1572.19(c).

Effective. This exemption becomes effective on April 10, 2020, and remains in effect through July 31, 2020, unless otherwise modified by TSA through a notice published in the Federal Register.

Got Questions? Please contact PMAA Regulatory Counsel Mark Morgan at mmorgan@pmaa.org or Sherri Stone at sstone@pmaa.org.