How to Get a HazMat Endorsement
If you’re a truck driver, adding a HazMat endorsement to your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is one of the most reliable ways to boost your earning potential and open doors to specialized, higher-paying freight. So how do you actually get one? Here’s the step-by-step.
Check Your Eligibility
Before you start, make sure you meet the basic requirements. You need a valid CDL and you must be at least 21 years old for interstate hazmat work.
Wondering “can I get a HazMat endorsement with a felony?” It depends. You’ll go through a thorough TSA background check, and certain offenses (especially those related to transportation security, terrorism, or espionage) are permanent disqualifiers. Many non-violent felonies are only temporary disqualifiers, and you may still be eligible if enough time has passed since your conviction or release. Check the specific guidelines for your state and situation.
Complete Your Hazmat ELDT Training
Since February 2022, federal law requires anyone adding a HazMat endorsement for the first time to complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-approved provider before you can take the state knowledge test. This is a mandatory step you can’t skip, though you do get to choose your provider, and prices vary quite a bit.
The training is theory-based, can be completed online, and there are plenty of approved schools to choose from. A few options:
One tip: always confirm any provider is listed on the official FMCSA Training Provider Registry before you pay, since your training has to be reported there for your endorsement to go through.
Study for the Written Test
Once your training is done, it’s time to prepare for the state knowledge test. This is where you learn the real material: placards, hazard classes, handling and loading rules, and emergency protocols.
There are also apps to help you prep. I’ve used the CDL Prep Test app (this link is for the Apple App Store), which lets you set your state and drill practice questions. I found it genuinely helpful.
Apply Through TSA (or Your State)
You’ll pre-enroll online through the TSA HazMat Endorsement website using the online application, unless you’re licensed in one of the states below. Those states run their own process, so you’d apply through your local DMV instead:
Take the Written Test at Your DMV
With your training done and your studying in, head to your local DMV to take the HazMat knowledge test. You’ll answer questions on safety protocols, handling emergencies, placarding, and more. Book an appointment ahead of time if your DMV allows it, and check how far out appointments are running, because in some areas that wait is the longest part of the whole process.
Undergo the TSA Background Check
Every HazMat applicant goes through a TSA Security Threat Assessment (STA), which includes fingerprinting and a review of your criminal history. Fingerprints are part of the TSA fee in most states, so you usually won’t pay a separate charge for them. Plan for the background check to take roughly 4 to 8 weeks, and sometimes longer during high-volume periods. Your DMV won’t issue the endorsement until TSA clears you.
What Does a HazMat Endorsement Cost?
Fees change periodically and vary by state, so treat these as a 2026 budgeting range and confirm the current numbers with TSA and your own state DMV before you go:
- ELDT training: roughly $20 to $100+, depending on the provider you choose
- TSA Security Threat Assessment: around $85 (this is the big fixed federal cost)
- State DMV endorsement fee: anywhere from about $5 to $100, depending on your state
- Realistic all-in total: most first-time drivers budget somewhere in the $150 to $300 range
Money-saving tip: if you already hold a valid TWIC card, you may qualify for a reduced TSA fee of around $41instead of the full ~$85, because the background checks are comparable. That’s a real savings, and it’s one more reason the two credentials pair so well (more on that below).
Pairings: HazMat’s Best Companions
Like a good wine, HazMat has pairings. Here are the two most common.
TWIC Card
This is the big one. Not only do HazMat and TWIC complement each other for the freight you can haul, but holding a valid TWIC can actually lower the cost of your HazMat background check to around $41, since the two use comparable security assessments. In some states the checks are interchangeable. If you’re getting both, the order can save you money, so it’s worth reading our Understanding TWIC Card Requirements guide before you start.
HazMat and Tanker (the X Endorsement)
The HazMat endorsement (H) can be upgraded to a combined HazMat and Tanker endorsement (X). The process varies by state, but generally all you need is to add the DMV Tanker knowledge test on top of your HazMat. The X endorsement opens up tanker and fuel-hauling freight, which is some of the better-paying work out there.
Why It’s Worth It
The HazMat endorsement isn’t free, and between the training, the test, and the background check, the costs add up. But think of it as an investment in your earning power. HazMat-qualified drivers access freight that others can’t touch, and endorsements are one of the most direct ways to raise your pay. (For the full picture on how endorsements factor into driver pay, see our CDL pay breakdown.)
Here at Miles 2 Go Transport, we run dedicated FedEx Custom Critical loads, and there’s real opportunity to put both your HazMat endorsement and TWIC card to work for higher pay, especially in the time-critical expedited freight we specialize in. Take a look at our Driver Pay page to see what we offer.
If you’re looking for a carrier that values compliance and treats its drivers right, schedule a call with M2GT and let’s talk about what we can offer you. You can also visit our Owner Operator page for more information.
If you enjoyed this article, please check out our other stories from the road and our Trucking 411 articles — Keep the Shiny Side Up!
