If your hazmat endorsement is set to expire soon, don’t panic — the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended the hazmat endorsement exemption an additional 90 days.
According to a Federal Register Notice, the TSA announced that beginning August 1, the Renewal of the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Security Threat Assessment for Certain Individuals has been extended 90 days.
The first exemption waiver was issued due to the COVID-19 crisis.
According to the notice, “states may extend the expiration date of hazardous materials endorsements (HMEs) that expire on or after March 1, 2020, for 180 days, due to restrictions and business closures in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“If a state grants an extension, the individual with an expired HME must initiate the process of renewing his or her security threat assessment (STA) for the HME no later than 60 days before the end of the state-granted extension.”
According to the notice, many states are still experiencing difficulties with timely renewals. The states have asked the TSA to extend the waiver an additional 90 days.
“TSA has determined it is in the public interest to extend the exemption for 90 days. TSA may extend this exemption at a future date depending on the status of the COVID-19 crisis,” the notice states.