TWIC Card Cost, TSA Fees, and Lawyer Fees

As of August 26, 2026, the standard TSA fee for a new Transportation Worker Identification Credential is $125.25.

Other TWIC card costs include:

TWIC service	Current TSA fee
New enrollment	$125.25
In-person renewal	$125.25
Online renewal	$117.25
Reduced-rate enrollment with a qualifying comparable assessment	$93.00
Lost, stolen, or damaged card replacement	$60.00

These are government enrollment and credential fees—not attorney fees. TSA and its enrollment provider may change the amounts, so applicants should confirm the current price on the official TSA TWIC enrollment page before paying.

Most people with straightforward applications do not need a lawyer to apply for or renew a TWIC. Legal representation becomes more relevant when TSA issues an adverse letter, relies on inaccurate criminal-history information, identifies a disqualifying condition, or immediately invalidates an existing credential.

National Security Law Firm charges a flat legal fee of $2,495 for qualifying initial-stage TWIC appeals or waivers. That fee is separate from TSA’s enrollment charge.

If TSA denied or invalidated your TWIC, schedule a free consultation or call (202) 600-4996.

TWIC Card Fees at a Glance

New TWIC Enrollment: $125.25

A first-time applicant generally pays $125.25 for standard TWIC enrollment.

The enrollment process generally includes:

Submission of required applicant information;
Verification of identity and immigration documents;
Collection of fingerprints;
A facial photograph;
A fingerprint-based criminal-history check;
An intelligence-related security check;
TSA adjudication of the security threat assessment; and
Production of the biometric TWIC card if TSA approves the applicant.

A standard TWIC generally remains valid for five years unless TSA invalidates or revokes it earlier.

In-Person TWIC Renewal: $125.25

An applicant who renews at an enrollment center generally pays $125.25.

An in-person appointment may be necessary if the applicant:

Is not eligible for online renewal;
Needs to update information that cannot be changed online;
Has document or identity-verification issues;
Is outside the online-renewal eligibility period; or
Is instructed to appear at an enrollment center.

Online TWIC Renewal: $117.25

Eligible existing cardholders can renew online for $117.25.

Online renewal costs less because the applicant may not need another enrollment-center appointment. Eligibility depends on TSA’s current renewal rules, citizenship or immigration status, existing enrollment information, and the timing of the renewal.

A cardholder should use TSA’s official enrollment system to determine whether online renewal is available. If the system directs the applicant to renew in person, the lower online fee does not apply.

Reduced-Rate TWIC Enrollment: $93.00

An applicant who has already completed a qualifying comparable security threat assessment may be eligible for the reduced $93.00 fee.

The reduced rate generally applies when the applicant presents:

A valid commercial driver’s license with a hazardous materials endorsement; or
A valid Free and Secure Trade, or FAST, card.

The reduced rate exists because TSA may be able to rely on parts of a comparable federal security threat assessment rather than repeating the entire process.

However, the reduced-rate TWIC’s expiration may align with the qualifying comparable credential. That can result in a TWIC validity period shorter than five full years from the date of enrollment.

Before selecting the reduced rate, compare:

The expiration date of the HME or FAST card;
The expected TWIC expiration date;
The cost of standard enrollment;
The reduced fee; and
How soon another enrollment may be required.

Saving $32.25 may not be worthwhile if the comparable credential will expire soon and significantly shorten the new TWIC’s validity.

Replacement TWIC Card: $60.00

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged TWIC generally costs $60.00.

A replacement is different from a renewal. The replacement card generally carries the same expiration date as the card being replaced.

A cardholder should promptly report a lost or stolen card through TSA’s official process. A TWIC reader can determine whether a card has been reported lost, stolen, or revoked.

The replacement fee ordinarily applies when:

The physical card was lost;
The card was stolen;
The card was damaged;
The card no longer functions properly; or
A replacement is required for another qualifying administrative reason.

If the card has expired—or will expire soon—a renewal may make more financial sense than paying for a replacement that retains the earlier expiration date.

Are TWIC Fees Refundable If TSA Denies the Application?

Generally, no. The government fee pays for enrollment, fingerprint processing, the security threat assessment, adjudication, and associated program costs. It is not a payment for guaranteed approval.

An applicant may therefore lose the enrollment fee even if TSA:

Issues an Initial Determination of Threat Assessment;
Denies the TWIC;
Identifies a disqualifying conviction;
Determines that the applicant does not satisfy immigration requirements;
Identifies a qualifying mental-capacity concern; or
Relies on terrorism-related, intelligence, or other security information.

An appeal or waiver does not ordinarily produce a refund of the initial enrollment fee. Additional enrollment or replacement fees may apply later, depending on TSA’s instructions and the procedural result.

What Does the TSA Fee Cover?

The TWIC enrollment fee generally supports:

Enrollment services;
Applicant-information collection;
Fingerprinting;
Photograph collection;
Identity verification;
FBI criminal-history processing;
Intelligence and government-database checks;
TSA adjudication;
Appeal and waiver program administration; and
Card production and issuance when approved.

Paying the fee does not mean TSA will issue a TWIC. TSA still must determine that the applicant meets the federal security-threat-assessment standards.

What Does the TSA Fee Not Include?

The TSA enrollment fee does not pay for:

Attorney representation;
Court-record procurement by private counsel;
Certified court copies;
FBI or state criminal-record corrections;
Expungement or post-conviction relief;
Immigration representation;
A Merchant Mariner Credential;
Coast Guard application fees;
Employer-required training;
Transportation to an enrollment center;
Lost wages while attending appointments;
Facility-specific access credentials;
Union or employment representation; or
Federal-court litigation.

The TWIC fee also does not guarantee employment or unescorted access to every facility. Employers, facility security officers, vessel operators, unions, and the Coast Guard may impose separate lawful requirements.

Are Employer Reimbursements Available?

Some employers or unions pay or reimburse the TWIC card cost because the credential is required for the worker’s assigned duties.

Before enrolling, ask:

Whether the employer pays the fee directly;
Whether reimbursement requires prior approval;
Whether the employee must remain employed for a minimum period;
Whether the union provides reimbursement;
Whether the employer pays replacement or renewal costs; and
Which receipts must be submitted.

The federal TWIC program does not require every employer to reimburse the cost. Any reimbursement right depends on applicable law, a collective-bargaining agreement, employer policy, or an individual employment agreement.

Are There Additional Costs for a Merchant Mariner?

Potentially. A TWIC and a Merchant Mariner Credential are separate credentials administered under different authorities.

A mariner may also incur costs involving:

Coast Guard evaluation;
MMC issuance;
Medical certification;
Drug testing;
Training courses;
Examinations;
Transportation;
Document procurement; and
Professional assistance.

Paying the TWIC fee does not include or replace the Coast Guard’s MMC charges.

A TWIC denial or revocation can also affect an existing or requested MMC. Mariners facing an adverse TSA determination should evaluate the TSA and Coast Guard consequences together.

For separate credential assistance, visit our Merchant Mariner Credential page.

How Much Does a TWIC Appeal or Waiver Lawyer Cost?

National Security Law Firm charges a flat legal fee of $2,495 for qualifying initial-stage TWIC appeal or waiver representation.

This is a legal fee paid to NSLF. It is separate from:

TSA’s application or renewal fee;
Replacement-card charges;
Unusual court-copy expenses;
Government filing or enrollment charges;
Advanced administrative review; and
Other third-party costs not included in the engagement agreement.

We do not recommend hiring a lawyer merely to complete a routine TWIC enrollment when no adverse issue exists. Our representation is designed for applicants facing a denial, disqualifying condition, inaccurate record, immediate revocation, or another complicated TSA matter.

What Does the $2,495 Legal Fee Cover?

For qualifying initial-stage matters, the covered representation generally includes:

Reviewing every page of TSA’s notice;
Identifying the response deadline;
Determining whether to request TSA’s materials;
Distinguishing an appeal from a waiver;
Identifying inaccurate or incomplete records;
Obtaining ordinary court and disposition records;
Reviewing criminal-history reports;
Calculating conviction and release-from-incarceration periods;
Analyzing whether a state offense matches TSA’s federal category;
Developing rehabilitation evidence for a waiver;
Preparing the written legal submission;
Organizing and labeling exhibits;
Submitting the matter to TSA;
Preserving proof of filing;
Tracking the case through the covered initial stage; and
Addressing ordinary requests for additional information within the agreed scope.

The precise work depends on whether the case requires an appeal, waiver, or coordinated alternative submission.

National Security Law Firm has handled TWIC and HME matters since 2016 and has represented applicants in hundreds of TSA credential cases nationwide.

What Is Not Included in the Initial $2,495 Fee?

Unless expressly included in the written engagement agreement, the initial fee does not cover:

Unusual third-party costs;
Extensive litigation to correct a source record;
An expungement, vacatur, pardon, or other post-conviction proceeding;
A separate waiver filed after completion of an appeal;
Administrative Law Judge review;
An administrative hearing;
TSA Final Decision Maker review;
Federal-court litigation;
A Coast Guard proceeding;
A state licensing matter;
An employment or union grievance; or
An unrelated immigration matter.

Advanced proceedings are evaluated and priced separately.

For example, if TSA denies a waiver, the applicant may request Administrative Law Judge review, generally within 30 calendar days. That advanced proceeding is not included in the initial-stage fee unless the engagement agreement specifically states otherwise.

Do You Need a Lawyer to Apply for a TWIC?

Usually, no.

Most applicants can complete an ordinary TWIC enrollment or renewal without counsel. TSA’s enrollment provider supplies the application instructions, document requirements, appointments, status tracking, and payment process.

You likely do not need a lawyer merely because:

You are applying for the first time;
Your TWIC is approaching expiration;
You lost the card;
You need to update contact information;
You want to locate an enrollment center;
You qualify for online renewal; or
You need help understanding the government payment portal.

For routine enrollment questions, use the official TSA resources or contact TWIC customer service.

When Might a TWIC Lawyer Be Useful?

Representation may be useful when:

TSA issued an Initial Determination of Threat Assessment;
TSA immediately invalidated an existing TWIC;
The criminal record belongs to someone else;
An arrest appears without a disposition;
TSA treated an arrest as a conviction;
A felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor;
TSA relied on an incorrect conviction or release date;
The offense may fall outside the seven-year and five-year periods;
TSA classified the offense under the wrong federal category;
The applicant has an accurate but waivable disqualification;
Immigration documentation is missing or disputed;
A qualifying mental-capacity determination is involved;
A mariner’s MMC may be affected;
Multiple criminal matters require separate analysis; or
The applicant’s job depends on a timely, complete response.

If TSA’s facts or legal conclusion are wrong, the applicant may need an appeal. If the disqualifying information is accurate but waivable, the applicant may need a waiver. Some applicants should pursue both remedies in the alternative.

Read our guide comparing a TWIC appeal and waiver or learn how to appeal a TWIC card denial.

Can You Finance the Legal Fee?

Eligible clients may use Pay Later by Affirm to divide NSLF’s legal fee into monthly payments.

Financing:

Applies to qualifying legal fees, not necessarily TSA enrollment charges;
Is subject to the financing provider’s eligibility decision;
May involve interest or other financing terms;
Does not change TSA’s decision process; and
Does not guarantee approval of an appeal or waiver.

The financing provider—not NSLF—determines approval and available payment terms.

The Written Refund Guarantee

National Security Law Firm offers a written refund guarantee in certain qualifying accepted TWIC matters.

The refund guarantee does not promise that TSA will grant an appeal, approve a waiver, or issue a TWIC. TSA controls its decision, and no attorney can ethically guarantee a government result.

When the guarantee applies, the signed engagement agreement identifies:

The covered procedure;
The covered result;
The client’s responsibilities;
Applicable exclusions; and
The circumstances under which NSLF will refund the covered $2,495 legal fee.

The guarantee:

Applies only when expressly included in the signed engagement agreement;
Covers only the legal fee identified in the agreement;
Does not refund TSA’s enrollment fee;
Does not necessarily cover third-party expenses;
Does not automatically cover a second or advanced proceeding; and
Is subject to all written terms and exclusions.

We do not accept every TWIC case for guaranteed representation. We first review the TSA notice, procedural stage, alleged disqualification, deadline, available records, and known facts.

How Long Is a TWIC Card Valid?

A standard TWIC generally remains valid for five years from issuance unless it is invalidated or revoked earlier.

A reduced-rate card based on a comparable assessment may have an expiration date aligned with the qualifying HME or FAST credential. Confirm the expected expiration date before selecting the reduced fee.

A replacement card generally retains the original card’s expiration date rather than beginning a new five-year period.

How Long Does TWIC Processing Take?

Processing times vary.

Straightforward applicants may receive a determination and card relatively quickly. More complicated cases can take substantially longer when TSA must:

Verify immigration information;
Review criminal records;
Obtain missing dispositions;
Resolve an identity mismatch;
Examine additional security information;
Request records from the applicant; or
Decide an appeal or waiver.

TSA has advised applicants to apply well before they need the credential. Do not wait until an existing TWIC expires or a job is scheduled to begin.

TSA does not provide an ordinary paid expedited service that guarantees faster adjudication.

How Do You Pay the TWIC Fee?

Applicants should follow the payment options provided by TSA’s official enrollment provider. Available methods may include:

Credit card;
Money order;
Company check; or
Certified or cashier’s check.

Confirm accepted methods before attending an enrollment appointment. Do not assume every center accepts cash or personal checks.

Keep the receipt and enrollment confirmation. An employer or union may require those documents for reimbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions About TWIC Card Costs

How much is a new TWIC card?

As of August 26, 2026, standard new enrollment costs $125.25.

How much does it cost to renew a TWIC card?

An in-person renewal costs $125.25. An eligible online renewal costs $117.25.

How much is the reduced TWIC fee?

The reduced-rate enrollment fee is $93.00 for qualifying applicants with a comparable security threat assessment, such as a valid HME or FAST card.

How much is a replacement TWIC card?

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged TWIC costs $60.00.

Does a replacement card last another five years?

Generally, no. A replacement normally carries the expiration date of the card it replaces.

Does the reduced-rate TWIC last five years?

Its expiration may align with the comparable credential used to qualify for the reduced rate. Confirm the expected expiration before choosing this option.

Is the TWIC application fee refundable after a denial?

Generally, no. The government fee pays for enrollment and the security threat assessment, not guaranteed approval.

Does the TWIC fee include a drug test?

No. TSA’s TWIC enrollment process does not include a TSA-administered drug test. An employer, union, Coast Guard program, or other authority may impose separate drug-testing requirements.

Does the TWIC fee include a background check?

Yes. The government enrollment fee supports TSA’s security threat assessment, which includes a fingerprint-based criminal-history check and other government-database reviews.

Does TSA charge another fee for an appeal or waiver?

The published TWIC enrollment fee supports program administration, including the security-threat-assessment system. The applicant should follow the instructions in the TSA notice concerning any government requirements. Attorney representation, court records, and other private costs are separate.

Does NSLF charge $2,495 just to apply for a TWIC?

No. Most straightforward applicants do not need legal representation. The $2,495 legal fee applies to qualifying initial-stage appeal or waiver matters involving a denial or other complication.

Will NSLF’s legal fee cover the TSA application fee?

No. The legal fee and government enrollment fee are separate unless a written engagement agreement expressly states otherwise.

Can my employer pay the legal fee?

Potentially. Some employers or unions assist workers with credential-related expenses. That depends on the employer, union, policy, or agreement.

Can an attorney guarantee that TSA will issue my TWIC?

No. TSA alone controls the decision. Any written refund guarantee concerns the covered NSLF legal fee and applies only under the precise terms of the engagement agreement.

Denied or Facing a Complicated TWIC Case?

If you only need to apply for, renew, or replace a TWIC, use TSA’s official enrollment system. You generally do not need an attorney for a routine transaction.

If TSA denied or immediately invalidated your TWIC, relied on an inaccurate record, or identified a potentially waivable condition, National Security Law Firm can review the notice and determine the correct response.

Our flat legal fee for qualifying initial-stage TWIC appeal or waiver representation is $2,495. Financing may be available, and certain accepted cases may qualify for a written refund guarantee under the engagement agreement.

Schedule a free consultation about a TWIC denial or complicated case or call (202) 600-4996.

Official TWIC Cost and Enrollment Resources

Fee Schedule Checked: August 26, 2026
Author: Katherine O’Brien, Esq., Founder, National Security Law Firm
Attorney Reviewed: August 26, 2026

Government fees and enrollment procedures may change. Confirm current charges with TSA’s official enrollment provider before paying. This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Viewing this page or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. This website is an attorney advertisement. Any legal fee, scope of representation, financing arrangement, or refund guarantee is governed exclusively by a signed written engagement agreement.