The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published an exemption on April 15 in the federal register granting a temporary exemption the expiration of certain Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC). TWICs that expired on or after March 1 (exemption currently runs through July 31, 2020) will have their expiration date extended by 180 days from the date listed on the credential.

TSA is taking this action in response to the COVID-19 national emergency, as it is seen as unwise to require individuals to gather at TSA enrollment centers, a third of which are already closed, during this crisis. Transportation workers who need access to secured areas of maritime facilities and vessels must undergo a TSA security threat assessment (STA) to receive a TWIC, which is valid for five years after issuance. Nearly 10% of the over 2 million existing TWICs are slated to expire within the next six months.