AMO Currents - Reminder: new policy allows eligible TWIC holders to extend credential expiration date, reduces cost and travel burden

AMO Currents - Posted: August 30, 2012

Reminder: new policy allows eligible TWIC holders to extend credential expiration date, reduces cost and travel burden

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced a major policy change regarding the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

Effective Aug. 30, 2012, TWIC holders who are U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals, and hold TWICs that will expire on or before Dec. 31, 2014, may be eligible to obtain an extended expiration date (EED) TWIC, which would be valid for three years, according to the TSA.

To obtain an EED TWIC, eligible cardholders would pay a fee of $60, can begin the application process over the phone and would be required to make one in-person visit to a TWIC enrollment center to pick up the EED TWIC card. TWIC holders exercising this option will not be required to remember their PIN number, according to the TSA.

To be eligible for the EED TWIC, cardholders must:

Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national
Currently hold a TWIC that is both valid and not revoked
Currently hold a TWIC that is not expired, but that will expire on or before Dec. 31, 2014

TWIC holders wishing to obtain an EED TWIC should begin the process at least 30 days before the expiration date of their current TWIC, according to the TSA. To confirm eligibility and begin the enrollment process for an EED TWIC, contact the Transportation Security Administration help desk at (866) 347-8942. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT. More information is available online.

The EED TWIC is a one-time temporary extension intended to provide convenience and cost-savings during the pending deployment of TWIC card readers, the TSA announced. TWIC holders also have the option of a standard five-year renewal, which requires two in-person visits to a TWIC enrollment center and includes a fee of $129.75.