A New (To Me) Group Who Gets TSA PreCheck for Free

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For those who have it, TSA PreCheck is a game changer. It saves millions of enrolled passengers time at the TSA security checkpoint. So instead of standing on the “regular” queue for 30, 45, 60 or even more minutes, they can stand in line for (usually) less than 10.

Who Gets TSA PreCheck Without Applying?

Over the years, the TSA has expanded who is eligible for TSA PreCheck, whether or not they actually have a membership in the program. So, although over 20 million people have applied and been added to TSA PreCheck’s roster, there are actually about 34 million people qualified to use PreCheck lines (as of last summer). Those “extra” 14 million people include:

• Children age 17 and under whose parent or guardian have TSA PreCheck
• Active military and DoD civilian employees (but not first responders or retired military. Here’s why)

And, apparently, since April of 2020, another entire group of people I had no idea could access the program (but good for them!).

Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) holders.

What Is a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME)?

Briefly, these are people who are certified to drive hazardous materials. Like active military personnel, HME holders are vetted by the government to ensure they’re not a threat (because the last thing you want is someone who might be a security risk to be driving a truckload of radioactive, toxic, or explosive materials from Point A to Point B). And apparently, their vetting is thorough enough to make them eligible for TSA PreCheck.

How HME Holders Get TSA PreCheck

From the TSA:

The HME Threat Assessment Program is a regulated vetting program that requires TSA to conduct a Security Threat Assessment (STA) to determine if an individual requiring specific transportation-related access poses a threat to national or transportation security. Given the similarity to the threat assessment performed on TSA PreCheck members, many HME applicants meet the criteria for the TSA PreCheck Application Program and may be eligible for expedited security screening.
In addition to having a valid STA, the credential holder must meet citizenship and residency requirements, and the credential must have been approved without a waiver.

TSA does specify that not all HME holders are eligible for TSA PreCheck:

Only CDL holders with an active HME security threat assessment who meet the TSA PreCheck Application Program’s eligibility requirements may obtain TSA PreCheck. Eligibility for TSA PreCheck Application Program membership is only open to U.S. Citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents. Active HME holders who obtained an HME via a waiver from TSA are not eligible for TSA PreCheck.

How to Enter Your TSA PreCheck Info as an HME Holder

HME holders who are eligible for TSA PreCheck don’t get a KTN number, though. Instead, they’re instructed to use the two-letter state abbreviation for the state that issued their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) followed by their CDL identification number (e.g., NY123456 for a State of New York CDL) in the appropriate Known Traveler Number (KTN) field of their airline reservations and airline profiles. There’s more information on this page of the TSA’s website.

There are fewer than 1.5 million CDL holders in the country, and only a percentage of them are HME holders. But since they’re so carefully checked to ensure they can transport hazardous materials safely, it makes sense they can also get TSA PreCheck, the same as active military.

Bottom Line

I love learning about these lesser-known pathways to TSA PreCheck—it just goes to show how many different groups get access beyond the typical traveler. Who knew that hazmat drivers and frequent flyers had something in common?

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary