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Hazardous Material Endorsement

Hazardous Materials Endorsement/Fingerprint-Based Background Checks

Under the provisions of the USA Patriot Act (Public Law 107-56,  § 1012), rules of the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) (49 CFR Part 1572) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) (Title 49 of Code of Federal Regulation 383.71(a)(9)), the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division may not issue a hazardous materials endorsement (HME) until the applicant has submitted to a fingerprint-based background check and TSA has determined that the applicant does not pose a security threat.

State motor vehicle agencies must notify CDL holders with the HAZMAT endorsement of the requirements within 60 days of the CDL expiration.

How do I get a finger-print based background check?

The security threat assessment is initiated through the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Enrollment website.

Step 1 – Filling Out the Application

You may complete the TSA  Hazardous Materials Endorsement driver application on the Hazardous Material Endorsement Enrollment website or by calling the Universal Enroll Help Desk at 855-DHS-UES1 (855-347-8371).  The operator at the desk will guide you through the process and ensure the application is completed correctly.  You can also call the help desk at any time if you have questions about the website.  It is important to note that the application must be completed either online, or through the Universal Enroll Help Desk, prior to arriving at the fingerprint capture location.  It cannot be done at the fingerprinting site.

What will the cost be?

Included with the application process is the payment of an $86.50 fee.  There are two forms of payment accepted:  credit card or money order.  You may pay by credit card directly on the website or by providing the information to the operator at the Universal Enroll Help Desk. Payment must be made during in-person enrollment. Credit cards are the preferred method of payment and enrollment centers accept Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express, and Discover credit cards. If made out to “IDEMIA” and for the exact transaction amount, the following will be accepted: money orders, company checks, and certified/cashier’s checks. Cash and personal checks are NOT accepted. No change or refunds will be given. Drivers may pay at the fingerprint collection sites with a money order in the amount of $86.50, made out to IDEMIA.

Remember, whatever payment method is chosen, you must complete the application online or by calling the Help Desk prior to being fingerprinted, as the fingerprint collection site cannot fingerprint a driver who has not completed the Hazardous Materials Endorsement application and paid the $86.50 fee.

Step 2 – Getting Fingerprinted

Your fingerprints can be collected at one of more than 200 fixed and mobile sites in the United States.  The Hazardous Material Endorsement Enrollment website and the Universal Enroll Help Desk, 855-DHS-UES1 (855-347-8371), are the best sources of information for current site locations, operating hours, and driving directions to the site.  Drivers from any of the participating agent states can be printed at any of the agent’s sites – even those in another state.  You will be required to provide two forms of identification prior to being fingerprinted.  Please refer to the “proper ID types” listed at Hazardous Material Endorsement Enrollment website.  In addition to being fingerprinted, the driver will be asked to review and electronically sign the application to verify its accuracy.

NOTE:  The fingerprint capture location only collects and forwards the electronic application and fingerprints.  They do not have specific information about the program, nor will they receive status reports after the submission is made.

How will applicants know when the process is complete?

Step 3 – Security Threat Assessment

Based on the data provided on the Hazardous Materials Endorsement application, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will perform a threat assessment for each driver applicant.  The results of this assessment will be available to the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division through TSA’s internet portal.  The applicant will also receive an email or text message from TSA with the results of the assessment.   Once you have received notification that your results have been approved you may go to a MVD office and complete your transaction.

Step 4 – Status

TSA’s target date for completion of a threat assessment is 30 days from the date your fingerprints are submitted.  Issues with your eligibility or insufficient paperwork may delay this turnaround time.  Please wait at least two weeks before calling the Driver Call Center at 855-DHS-UES1 (855-347-8371), to make sure your fingerprints have been received and that your case is processing accordingly.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Is a Knowledge test required?

Yes.  The knowledge test must be taken at a Motor Vehicle Division office.  It can only be taken after the TSA assessment has been completed.  The knowledge test must be passed before issuance of the CDL license with the HAZMAT endorsement.

If you are a 1st time applicant for the Hazardous Materials endorsement you must comply with Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT).  You will need to attend a class for Hazardous Materials theory training before the Hazardous Materials Knowledge test can be taken.