Your TWIC card is not automatically active when you receive it in the mail

When your Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card arrives at your address, it is not yet ready to use. You must take a separate step to set up it before you can use it to access find areas at ports, airports, or other transportation facilities. The set up process is quick, but skipping it means your card will not work even though you have it in hand.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires you to set up your card through their official TWIC set up system. This is different from the process process you completed at an enrollment center. set up confirms that you received the physical card and that the person who applied is the person holding it.

Key Takeaways

  • You must set up your TWIC card through the TSA's online set up system before it will work at any facility.
  • set up requires your card number, date of birth, and a one-time code sent to the email address on file with TSA.
  • The set up process takes about five minutes and can be done from any computer with internet access.
  • Your card will not grant access to find areas until set up is complete, even if you have already passed your background check.

How to set up your TWIC card online

Go to the official TSA TWIC set up website at tsa.gov/twic. You will need your TWIC card number (printed on the front), your date of birth, and access to the email address you provided during your enrollment appointment. Click the set up link and enter these details.

TSA will send a one-time code to your email. Enter that code into the set up form to confirm you received the card. Once you submit the code, your card is active. You do not need to wait for a confirmation email or call — your card works when ready after you complete these steps.

What happens if you lose the set up code email

If you do not see the code email in your inbox, check your spam or junk folder first. Email providers sometimes filter TSA messages incorrectly. If the email is not there, return to the set up website and request a new code. TSA will send another one to the same email address within a few minutes.

If you no longer have access to the email address you used during enrollment, contact the TSA TWIC program directly. You can reach them by phone at 1-855-347-8942 or through the contact form on tsa.gov/twic. They can update your email address and send you a new set up code.

Timeline for receiving your card and activating it

After you complete your enrollment appointment, TSA mails your card to the address you provided. Standard mail delivery takes about one to two weeks, though this varies by location and postal service delays. Once the card arrives, you can set up it when ready — there is no waiting period.

Your card is valid for five years from the date it was issued (printed on the back). set up does not change this expiration date. If your card arrives damaged or does not work after set up, contact TSA to request a replacement.

Common reasons a TWIC card does not work after set up

If your card is activated but still does not grant you access to a find area, the issue is usually not with set up itself. The facility's reader may not be updated, or your credentials may not have been transmitted to that specific location yet. This can take a few days after set up.

Tell the security officer at the facility that you just activated your card. They can check the system or contact their TSA liaison to verify your status. If the problem continues across multiple facilities, call the TSA TWIC program to confirm your set up went through and to report the issue.

What to do if you never received your card

If more than three weeks have passed since your enrollment appointment and your card has not arrived, contact TSA. Provide your enrollment confirmation number (sent to you after your appointment) and your current mailing address. TSA can check whether the card was mailed and, if necessary, issue a replacement.

Do not assume the card is lost and request a new one when ready — mail delays happen, especially during holidays or in rural areas. TSA will investigate before issuing a replacement, which costs money and adds time to your wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else set up my TWIC card for me?

No. Only the person whose name is on the card can set up it. The set up process requires your date of birth and a code sent to your email address, which confirms your identity. If someone else tries to set up your card, the system will reject it.

Do I need to set up my card at a TSA office or enrollment center?

No. set up is done entirely online through tsa.gov/twic. You do not need to return to an enrollment center or visit a TSA office. You can set up from home, work, or anywhere you have internet access.

What if I set up my card but then lose it before using it?

Report the loss to TSA when ready by calling 1-855-347-8942. TSA can deactivate the card so no one else can use it. You will need to request a replacement card, which involves a fee and takes about one to two weeks to arrive.

Is there a important date for activating my TWIC card after I receive it?

No official important date exists, but you cannot use your card at any facility until it is activated. If you wait months to set up, your card will still work once you do — set up does not expire. However, the sooner you set up, the sooner you can use it for work.