HAZMAT Horror or Career Goldmine? Why CDL Hazmat Endorsements Matter
I’ve always had a soft spot for those cheesy, low-budget
horror flicks where a toxic spill mutates wildlife or turns unsuspecting
townspeople into radioactive zombies. But here’s the thing—real-life
hazardous materials are no joke.
A HAZMAT spill doesn’t lead to movie monsters—it leads to
serious environmental damage, health crises, and major legal consequences.
That’s exactly why the federal government has strict regulations around
handling and transporting hazardous materials.
If you're a commercial driver looking to boost your earning power and take on more specialized loads, getting a HAZMAT Endorsement on your CDL is a smart move—and we’re here to walk you through the process.
Stick around to the end of this blog for a handy table with your specific state’s requirements!
What you'll need
A valid Class A, B, or C CDL
- HAZMAT Endorsement ELDT Theory Course
- A TSA HAZMAT Background Check
- All appropriate forms and fees to take a written test at the DMV
Federal regulations state that the ELDT course must be completed before you are allowed to test at the DMV, but states have the right to require the background check at specific times. That is why we’re including a table with each state’s requirements at the end of this blog.
How We Can Help
We offer the HAZMAT Endorsement ELDT Theory course here for only $49!
And if you do not have your full CDL yet, we also offer Class A and B ELDT Theory courses here, or if you don’t have your CDL at all, we explain the process of getting one here!
As a registered provider with the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry, our HAZMAT Endorsement ELDT theory course meet all CFR and FMCSA regulations. Like all our courses, the HAZMAT ELDT course is self-paced and designed with industry experts and professional educators to ensure that what you learn in the course sticks with you long after you finish the training.
TSA Background Check
Due to the health and safety risks of transporting HAZMAT,
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires anyone who transports
HAZMAT to pass a background check. This is not the same background check for
TSA Pre-Check at the airport or for TWIC. More information on what the TSA
looks for on this background check can be found at the TSA’s website.
Results from the background check can take 30-120 days to come in, though the TSA says to contact them if you haven’t heard any update after 45 days.
State Requirements
Regulations, testing locations, and providers can change. Always contact your driver’s license office, department of motor vehicles, or Secretary of State’s office to verify that the table below is correct for your state. I did all of the research for this table, so I know how confusing and frustrating it can be to find the information you need on your state’s website. The table gives general information and clicking on each state name is a link as a starting point to help you find answers to your specific questions.
| State | Order | Notes |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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ELDT Course, Written Test at a DMV that Offers Fingerprinting, Get Fingerprinted for Background After Passing Test |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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TSA Background Check, ELDT Course, Written Test at DMV |
Background results MUST be received by DMV prior to testing |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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TSA Background Check, ELDT Course, Vision Test, Written Test at DMV (Background results MUST be received by DMV prior to testing) |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
Fingerprinting for TSA Background Check must be taken by Integrated Biometric Technology |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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TSA Background Check, ELDT Course, Written Test at DMV (Background results MUST be received by MVA prior to testing) |
TSA Background Check must be started at a specific MVA location |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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TSA Background Check, ELDT Course, Written Test at DMV |
Background results MUST be received by DMV prior to testing |
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TSA Background Check, ELDT Course, Written Test at DMV |
Background results MUST be received by DMV prior to testing |
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TSA Background Check, ELDT Course, Written Test at DMV |
Background results MUST be received by DMV prior to testing |
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Federal Requirements |
TSA Background Check must be initiated prior to testing. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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TSA Background Check, ELDT Course, Written Test at DMV |
Background results MUST be received by DMV prior to testing |
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Federal Requirements |
Fingerprinting for TSA Background Check must be taken by Identogo.com |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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TSA Background Check, ELDT Course, Written Test at DMV |
Background results MUST be received by DMV prior to testing |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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ELDT Course, Written Test at DMV, TSA Background Check |
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Federal Requirements |
Fingerprinting for TSA Background Check must be taken by APPS; Written Test ONLY offered at Cranston DMV |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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TSA Background Check, ELDT Course, Vision Test, Written Test at DMV (Background results MUST be received by DMV prior to vision and written testing) |
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ELDT Course, Written Test at DMV, Receive Special Code to Register for TSA Background Check after Testing |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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TSA Background Check, ELDT Course, Written Test at DMV |
Background results MUST be received by DMV prior to testing |
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ELDT Course, Written Test at a DMV that Offers Fingerprinting, Get Fingerprinted for Background After Passing Test |
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Federal Requirements |
ELDT Course MUST be taken in person; TSA Background Check must be initiated prior to testing. |
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Federal Requirements |
We recommend starting the TSA Background Check since the results can take a long time to come in. |
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TSA Background Check, ELDT Course, Written Test at DMV |
Background results MUST be received by DMV prior to testing |
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ELDT Course, Written Test at DMV, TSA Background Check |
TSA Background Check must be initiated within 7 days of passing the written test; Fingerprinting for TSA Background Check must be taken by Fieldprint |
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TSA Background Check, ELDT Course, Written Test at DMV |
Background results MUST be received by DMV prior to testing |