TSA sets new TWIC renewal policy

WASHINGTON – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has established a new policy on renewals of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) – a tamper-resistant biometric worker-access pass — which is required of rail crews entering maritime ports.

Under the new TSA policy, and beginning Aug. 30, U.S. nationals holding TWICs set to expire on or before Dec. 31, 2014, will have the option of avoiding the regular five-year renewable process by obtaining a new three-year card.

The replacement card will expire three years after the expiration of the TWIC card it is replacing, cost $60, and require only one trip to the enrollment center when it is ready to be activated and collected.

TSA said that while the process is simpler and less expensive, the card provides the same access as the traditional five-year card.

Some 6,500 rail employees currently hold a TWIC. Obtaining a TWIC requires submitting to a FBI background check and completion of a security threat assessment.

To read the new policy, as published in the Federal Register, click on the following link:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-06-19/pdf/2012-15027.pdf