Title 6Domestic SecurityRelease 119-73

§1119 Voluntary use of credentialing

Title 6 › Chapter CHAPTER 4— - TRANSPORTATION SECURITY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS › § 1119

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Allows certain workers to meet credentialing or background-check rules by getting a valid transportation security card. The Secretary of Homeland Security must expand the card program, under section 70105 of title 46, so eligible people can apply. The Secretary may charge reasonable fees for the checks, under section 469(a). The Administrator must use the FBI’s Rap Back service and other vetting tools, including the No‑Fly and Selectee lists, to get immediate notice of criminal activity for people with a valid card, in addition to the initial check. Definitions: “Applicable individual who is subject to credentialing or a background investigation” means people regulated by TSA, DOT, or Coast Guard who need a background check to get a hazardous materials endorsement on a commercial driver’s license (section 5103a of title 49) or who must have credentialing and background checks under section 622(d)(2) of this title at regulated facilities. “Valid transportation security card” means a card issued under section 70105 of title 46 that is not expired, shows no tampering, and has the cardholder’s photo.

Full Legal Text

Title 6, §1119

Domestic Security — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)An applicable individual who is subject to credentialing or a background investigation may satisfy that requirement by obtaining a valid transportation security card.
(b)The Secretary of Homeland Security—
(1)shall expand the transportation security card program, consistent with section 70105 of title 46, to allow an applicable individual who is subject to credentialing or a background investigation to apply for a transportation security card; and
(2)may charge reasonable fees, in accordance with section 469(a) of this title, for providing the necessary credentialing and background investigation.
(c)The Administrator shall develop and implement a plan to utilize, in addition to any background check required for initial issue, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Rap Back Service and other vetting tools as appropriate, including the No-Fly and Selectee lists, to get immediate notification of any criminal activity relating to any person with a valid transportation security card.
(d)In this section:
(1)The term “applicable individual who is subject to credentialing or a background investigation” means only an individual who—
(A)because of employment is regulated by the Transportation Security Administration, Department of Transportation, or Coast Guard and is required to have a background records check to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement on a commercial driver’s license issued by a State under section 5103a of title 49; or
(B)is required to have a credential and background records check under section 622(d)(2) 11 See References in Text note below. of this title at a facility with activities that are regulated by the Transportation Security Administration, Department of Transportation, or Coast Guard.
(2)The term “valid transportation security card” means a transportation security card that is—
(A)issued under section 70105 of title 46;
(B)not expired;
(C)shows 22 So in original. no signs of tampering; and
(D)bears 2 a photograph of the individual representing such card.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 622 of this title, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(B), was omitted from the Code. Codification Section was enacted as part of the TSA Modernization Act and also as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and not as part of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 which comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definition For definition of “Administrator” as used in this section, see section 1902 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 49, Transportation.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

6 U.S.C. § 1119

Title 6Domestic Security

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73