The USA PATRIOT Act requires that fingerprints be taken and a new federal background records check be completed before any hazardous materials endorsement is issued or renewed. This means that if you have a hazardous materials endorsement, a new federal background records check is required at every driver's license renewal along with the required background record check fees.

Requiring new fingerprints provides an additional measure of security. For example, if someone stole your identity, getting fingerprints would prevent that person from renewing a hazardous materials endorsement. If fingerprints were not taken with each renewal, that person could renew the endorsement using your good record.

In addition, the FBI and the other agencies involved do not normally store the fingerprints that are sent to them for routine background records checks. The FBI will keep fingerprints of people who have been arrested or work in certain high-security or highly sensitive areas. You must be fingerprinted with every renewal of your hazardous materials endorsement because every renewal requires a new background records check, and the new check is starting from scratch.

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