What is a TWIC waiver?

A TWIC waiver is a request for relief from a disqualifying issue that could prevent someone from obtaining a Transportation Worker Identification Credential. TSA uses the waiver process when an applicant has a background issue that may otherwise bar the credential.

The process is not automatic, and it is not a simple paperwork form. TSA evaluates the underlying facts, the extent of the issue, the applicant’s history since then, and whether the person has taken meaningful steps toward rehabilitation and stability.

In practical terms, a waiver request is a way to show that the applicant is not the same person they were at the time of the event and that they are now ready to meet the standards required for safe, lawful work in transportation-related settings.