• A HAZMAT endorsement is required to transport any hazardous material in Florida.truck image by pearlguy from Fotolia.com
  
  A hazardous materials (HAZMAT) endorsement is needed on your license in Florida if you are transporting any material considered hazardous. Getting this endorsement will involve a lengthy background check by the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Safety Administration (TSA). There are several requirements you must meet prior to obtaining this endorsement; you will have your HAZMAT endorsement in as little time as possible as long as you qualify.
  
  

Application Process

• Download and complete the application available on the State of Florida's website. Do not sign the application until you are at the department of motor vehicle's (DMV's) office. Take the application to your local DMV along with the current fees ($91 as of August, 2010). There, they will accept the application, money and fingerprint you. The application and your fingerprints will be sent to TSA for threat assessment.
  
  

Commercial Drivers License

• Once the application is received by the office, you must now apply for a commercial driver's license (CDL). You will be required to take any applicable training and testing to receive the CDL. There are three different levels of CDL licensing: CDL A, CDL B and CDL C.
  
  

Temporary Disqualifying Criminal Acts

• There are certain acts that will automatically disqualify you from getting a HAZMAT endorsement per TSA. You are disqualified from obtaining a HAZMAT endorsement if you were found guilty or not guilty due to insanity within the last seven years or released from prison in the last five years due to the following acts: Unlawful entry into a seaport, assault with intent to murder, kidnapping or hostage-taking, rape or aggravated sexual abuse, unlawful possession, use, sale, manufacture, purchase, distribution, receipt, transfer, shipping, transporting, delivery, import, export of, or dealing in a firearm or other weapon, extortion, dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud, bribery, smuggling, immigration violations, violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) under 18 U.S.C. 1961 or a comparable State law, other than any permanent disqualifying offenses, robbery, distribution of, intent to distribute, or importation of a controlled substance, arson, conspiracy or attempt to commit any of these crimes. With these convictions, you are still eligible to apply for a waiver or an appeal.
  
  

Perminent Disqualifying Criminal Acts

• Certain acts will permanently disqualify you from obtaining a HAZMAT cndorsement. If you are found not guilty due to insanity or found guilty of the following crimes, you are never eligible for a HAZMAT Endorsement, not even a waiver; Espionage, sedition, treason, a crime listed in 18 U.S.C. Chapter 113B-Terrorism or a state law that is comparable. The following crimes may be eligible if you apply for a waiver: bomb threats, crime involving a transportation security incident, improper transportation of a hazardous material under 49 U.S.C. 5124 or a comparable state law, unlawful possession, use, sale, distribution, manufacture, purchase, receipt, transfer, shipping, transporting, import, export, storage of, or dealing in an explosive or explosive device, murder, violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) under 18 U.S.C. 1961 or a comparable state law, where violations consist of any of the permanent disqualifying offenses, conspiracy or attempt to commit any of these crimes
  
  

HAZMAT Endorsement Threat Assessment Program

• TSA will perform a threat assessment on any driver applying for a HAZMAT endorsement. This is a thorough check of a driver's background to make certain they have not performed any criminal acts that would consider them a security threat. This check is included when the Department of Motor Vehicles accepts your application. Once this check is cleared, your CDL will be endorsed for HAZMAT. If you are disqualified for any reason that is eligible for appeal you will be notified that you may appeal.