If I were to go tomorrow to get my hazmat endorsement and I pass the test, will I be able to work and haul hazmat that same day or do I have to actually wait a few weeks until all the background bullsh comes back?

 

It really depends on the state your in. Here in Texas, they gave me a 90 days temporary Hazmat endorsement until the fingerprinting/background check cleared me.

I was up to renew my hazmat, but I'll know soon enough when my brother goes for his hazmat if that's still the case.

Check with your DMV in your state for more information.

Good luck.

 

You have to wait for the TSA go get back to you. They will send you and your registry a letter with the results of the background check. Only then will you be able to get the endorsement on your license. Hope this helps. BOL

 

Im in PA.

 

From what I hear, you have to pass the test, do the fingerprinting, and background check, and THEN you can haul HAZMAT. I am not sure on how long it takes for all this.

 

I live in PA and when I got hazmat it took like 4-6 weeks for the background check to get back. You also have to get your fingerprints taken after you pass the test. This can be a pain, well at least it was for me because they only take fingerprints at certain hours and it's not easy to get there to do it.

 

Question #2. Once I have my HAZMAT is it valid until my license expires?

In order to keep my HAZMAT do i have to take the test and go through background check and fingerprinting again before my license expires?

 

You must take and pass the HAZMAT test prior to CDL renewal, before the expiration date on the CDL.

Only need to do the background and fingerprints on the initial HAZMAT endorsment.

(this is in Pennsylvania, but I assume it is the same all over the US)

 

Does it really take 4-6 weeks for the TSA to do their voodoo? I've had state background checks completed twice (once to teach public schools, and once for the Hazmat) and it took only a day or two. I can't imagine TSA is doing much beyond a computer check, so why the holdup?

 

Yes it can take up to 4-6 weeks, but any more the checks are done within 1-2 weeks.

The big delays occurred when the program was first started and they were doing a computer based name check on all hazmat holders as well as the fingerprint checks on all new applicants.

The actual fingerprint checks are more involved than a simple computer search. Once your fingerprints are taken they are sent to the FBI and a comprehensive search is conducted. Even though it is by computer and may only take a few hours to actually run the search, it still takes time for the information to be transmitted/transferred back and forth plus you have to consider the number of searches that are done at any given time.

To play it smart though, if you have a CDL and are going to renew your hazmat or add it to your license then start the procedure a month to 6 weeks before your CDL is set to expire.

While states differ in the order they do things, every applicant is suppose to pass both the written test and the background check before being issued a hazmat endorsement.